2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country

We at Car and Driver like our station wagons low, trendy, and quickly, so when Volvo revealed its low, trendy, and (in a few types) quick V60 station wagon in tall, pseudo-crossover Cross Country type, not all of us were totally stoked. Is it true that the world need another crossover- maybe more cynically, or y thing, do we want another apologist station wagon that feels the necessity to butch upwards itself? Also, does Volvo, of all businesses, want an automobile in this way, given that showroom space will be shared by the V60 Cross Country using the thematically similar XC70?

Those questions aside, we are not disappointed using the performance. The designers of Volvo held themselves from slathering the auto with offroad addenda like roof cross railings, body cladding, and brush guards. Together, an atmosphere that is unexpectedly distinct projects than does the typical V60, plus it works, mainly as it still resembles a wagon that is proper.

Indoors, occupants face the same pretty dash as other S60/V60 forms and sit on a few of the world's most comfy chairs (Contour seats, in Volvo-talk). Our evaluation example was gussied up with $400 wood inlays, even though the advancing age of the interior design is apparent in the button-heavy middle fussy and stack user interface. The device display that is configurable, nevertheless, seems sleek, serving up data in Operation subjects, or Eco, Sophistication. Low-pile sisal-like floor mats and contrast-stitched leather upholstery additionally are normal, a sunroof, along with navigation, and Wi-Fi hotspot.

HIGH RIDIN'
A jaunt in California from picturesque Calistoga to Lake Tahoe in the V60 Cross Country instructed us small we could not have forecast: It Is soft, tippy, and tall, pretty much the exact reverse of the V60 Polestar. The taller perch gives occupants a commanding view of the road forward while appreciating the innately more relaxed (read: less virtuous) chairs position of an effective automobile, and that we actually enjoy. The recognizable 250-hp turbo five-cylinder emits its distinctive growl upon full throttle acceleration, although its power is only sufficient. Brakes and the steering lack much in the way of sting or passion, and amplified body motions lower cornering rates to crossover degrees. On the upside, the ride is velvety as well as the cottage stays hushed at triple-digit rates.

What the V60 Cross Country does pretty well, nevertheless, is ask off-paving-ish experiences including the benign--say, parking with two wheels off the shoulder in a roadside fruit stand--to the somewhat challenging, for example investigating two-tracks. We wouldn't try substantially more, however. Every one of the while, we noticed thunks or no squeaks when traversing ruts that were angled, as well as the nicely-tuned shocks muffled impacts both off road and on.

CANNIBALISTIC?
And at $38, 490 cost is more affordable than the V60 Cross Country's.

So what is the purpose of the V60 Cross Country? Some may alter, nevertheless, after the scales that are XC70 up to the forthcoming S90 sedan on Volvo's new SPA platform in the forthcoming years. It is fine that another station wagon was added to the landscape while it is debatable if the world wants another faux CUV, and we'll continue to take those in whatever form they come.

2015 Volvo V60 T5 AWD Cross Country - Exterior and Interior Walkaround - Debut at 2014 LA Auto Show