By Peter Ciani
There’s an adage kicking around the internet that says, “If automotive journalists ran things, everyone would be driving brown station wagons.” Why? Because station wagons are cool. That’s right, I said it. And if you know your station wagon history, you know that Volvo wagons occupy a top spot alongside classics like the Buick Roadmaster, Chevy Caprice, and Ford Country Squire.
The Volvo V60 Cross Country (even the name sounds old-school wagon-y) proves that not only can a wagon look good and feel modern, but they still have a place in the era of “electrified” vehicles.
RPM Photo by Rich Taber
The 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country Wagon presents a captivating fusion of rugged elegance and practicality, setting itself apart from the crowd of SUVs and crossovers with its distinctive exterior styling. Emerging from its 2019 redesign, the V60 boasts sharply tailored sheet metal, accentuated by subtle tweaks to the grille, rear bumper, and wheel designs for the ’23 model.
Sorry automotive writers, but you can’t get it in brown. However, you can order it in Platinum Grey (seen below), which renders “A sophisticated gray metallic with undertones of brown for a velvet finish,” according to the Volvo.com build page… so, it’s almost brown.
With its lifted stance, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and black wheel arches, the V60 Cross Country appeals to the adventurous demographic. Despite the dwindling popularity of wagons, Volvo’s commitment to this segment shines through in the model’s sleek, modern presence.
Speaking of commitment, not only is Volvo one of the last manufacturers that’ll even mention the “w” word on their website, but they’re selling three wagon models at this time. In addition to the V60 Cross Country, they also offer a V60 PHEV variant called the V60 Polestar Engineered T8 eAWD Plug-in Hybrid (phew! That’s a mouthful), and the larger V90 Cross Country.
Our test car for the week was a 2023 V60 Cross Country with the standard B5 all-wheel-drive powertrain. While the B5 AWD is not a full hybrid but a mild hybrid with a 48-volt system, it still delivers a respectable 247 horsepower while achieving an EPA-estimated 30 miles per gallon on the highway.
RPM Photos by Rich Taber
If you’re looking for gas savings, the V60 Polestar Engineered Plug-in Hybrid is the way to go. Not only do you get slightly better mileage when using gas only, but the V60 PHEV can travel up to 41 gas-free miles on a full charge and thanks to its more powerful powertrain, the vehicle delivers an astonishing 455 system net horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque. Of course, with the PHEV, you don’t get the adventure-ready looks that people want these days.
The 2023 model year didn’t introduce just fresh styling for the V60 Cross Country; it also provided a tech upgrade that saw the wagon join the growing list of vehicles on the market that have shifted to Google Built-in software to power their infotainment systems.
RPM Photo by Rich Taber
Features include Google Assistant for voice control, Google Maps as the native navigation system, and the Google Play store for additional apps. If you’re a diehard Apple fanatic, there’s no need to fret. Apple CarPlay is also built in. A 9-inch center display comes standard.
Taking a cue from Tesla, Volvo now offers over-the-air updates for the model, stating that the infotainment system can be improved over time.
Given Volvo’s history of safety, it’s no surprise that the V60 Cross Country comes with a long list of standard safety and driver’s support features including:
Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian, cyclist, and large animal detection
Adaptive cruise control
Lane-keeping aid
BLIS blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert
360-degree camera
Park assist sensors
Road sign information
Oncoming lane mitigation
Slippery road alert
Rain sensor
The V60 Cross Country seats five and includes Volvo Comfort adjustable front seats and standard leather seating with heated front seats. For 2024, the Volvo V60 Cross Country is offered in two trim levels: Plus and Ultimate. The Plus trim offers three different interior colors, while the Ultimate trim offers five. With a starting price of $51,695, the base Plus trim comes well-equipped and competes favorably at its price point.
The Ultimate trim, starting at $56,795, doesn’t offer any difference in performance or safety features, but it does add a few extra niceties for passengers. These include fancier Nappa leather upholstery, front seat ventilation, 4-zone climate control, driftwood interior trim, and an upgraded premium sound system from Harman Kardon. If the 600-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system isn’t ‘premium’ enough for you, there’s an optional 1,410-watt Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system available on the Ultimate trim. It’s a $3,200 option but it sounds incredible. If you’re an audiophile, it’s worth a look.
Cargo Capacity tops out at 60.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. That’s not far off from luxury SUVs like the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLB and reason enough to take a closer look at this wagon.
