Wagons are a dying breed, but that’s more a statement on the popularity of SUVs than it is an indictment of the usefulness of the long-roof car. Volvo has been making wagons as long as anybody in the business, and their experience in the area is on full display in the 2020 V60 Cross Country. It’s a premium vehicle with a long list of standard features and a (by luxury standards) reasonable price tag that undercuts its competition by a large margin.
As a driver with children, a week spent testing the V60 Cross Country is a week spent in a state of family motoring bliss. The Volvo is tuned for comfort and convenience, and its interior remains supremely welcoming and useful while also feeling uniquely modern and uncluttered. The V60’s extra cargo space and tall ride height work together to all but kill the need for an SUV or minivan.
The bottom line is that, with vehicles like this, there’s truly no reason to shop for an SUV unless you absolutely have to have a full-on four-wheel drive system and enough ground clearance to do some serious off-roading. The V60 Cross Country is versatile enough to shame most crossovers and looks much better doing it. We can’t even complain too hard about the price, because even at a robust $50,000, it’s right in the meat of the low end of premium crossover territory.
Performance
My test wagon came with a modest turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that, while only making 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, matches the relaxing nature of the Volvo perfectly. The eight-speed automatic transmission cracks off shifts so smoothly that the changes are almost imperceptible, and there was never a mismatch between gear and vehicle speed that can cause lurching or hiccups when running around town.
Of course, that horsepower number and the automatic transmission don’t add up to a super exciting driving experience. That’s just fine, because there are other wagons for thrill seekers. The V60 offers something else: A serene and confidence inspiring cruise with more than enough power to get the job done. The Volvo’s ride is more car-like than any SUV on the road today, and the higher-than-a-car ride height doesn’t completely ruin the handling.
Comfort
Volvo’s calming interior building skills are on full display in the V60’s beautiful cabin. There’s a skillful balance between austerity and creature comforts that isn’t often achieved in today’s auto industry. Premium materials cover every visible and touchable surface, and work together to create a very clean but very warm and inviting space. The front seats are thin, to the point of looking uncomfortable, but any concerns about the accommodations fade quickly upon sitting in the front row buckets.
Thanks to the gently sloping roofline, rear seat passengers are treated to plenty of head room, and the V60’s already generous wheelbase dimensions allow for a decent amount of rear leg room as well. Most adults will be comfortable for the long haul in the back seat, though the rear bench could use more padding in its back rest.
Tech and Safety
Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system takes some getting used to, but once the learning curve has been climbed, it’s an excellent way to interact with the car. On the nine-inch vertically oriented display, the system runs smoothly and most functions are clearly labeled. There’s a slightly confusing interface with swipes and too many button presses to move from menu to menu, but it’s far from a difficult system to use. The driver is treated with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster that offers a driver information center, which can be supplemented by an optional head-up display.
Safety, long a priority at Volvo, takes front seat in the V60. Lane keep assist, front and rear parking assist, and front/rear collision mitigation are all standard. The optional Pilot Assist system adds adaptive cruise control, distance sensors, a 360-degree camera, and the head-up display.
Wagons offer more than enough utility for the average family, but the number of choices has dwindled to the point that there are just a handful left. Of that group, the V60 Cross Country is a real standout for its luxurious but approachable design and comfortable interior. The price is right, too – landing just over $50,000 as tested – which puts the Volvo firmly in the premium vehicle space, but not so far that it is unattainable for many mainstream buyers.
