Road test | Volvo V60 Cross Country: back to earth

When a car enthusiast thinks of Sweden, the mental image of a station wagon driving down a snowy backcountry road often pops up. This bodywork is undoubtedly one of the cornerstones of the motorized identity of the Scandinavian country. But like almost everything except SUVs and crossovers, it’s dying, except at Volvo, which is hell-bent on standing up to this trend. Resulting from a crossbreeding, the V60 Cross Country seeks in this context to do useful work.

Design

The current generation of the V60 Cross Country is far from being at its first laps. Unveiled more than four years ago as a more adventurous option to the V60 wagon, it remains a fine exercise in restraint, faithful to the Scandinavian approach. One perceives a desire for continuity in his simple lines, some of which are uninterrupted. The front part is also abnormally long for a platform with a transverse engine, which nicely completes the essential rear overhang of the wagon. The Cross Country outfit is visually characterized by the use of matt plastics in the wheel arches, on the side sills. However, it is the raised ground clearance that attracts interest: it is increased by a small 5 cm compared to the V60 to better negotiate obstacles.

On board

On board, references to the outdoor world are non-existent, an approach that differs from rival brands that overuse this representation. Regardless, Volvo remains the archetype of the refined Scandinavian approach by handling with accuracy and refinement the arrangement of materials. The leather covering the dashboard shares space with metal parts and a wood strip on the bottom which adds a more raw and natural appearance. On the space itself, the increased ground clearance greatly favors the entry and exit of an airy passenger compartment thanks to a large clearance for the head. However, it is not free from flaws. There are too many shiny black plastics that stain instantly. The storage is also too contained, especially in the center, where we’re looking for a compartment big enough to house our cell phone. Finally, in the back, the central place is unusable because of the bulge in the floor.

Under the hood

Unlike the V60, which can be powered by a four-cylinder supercharged by compressor and turbocharger as well as a plug-in hybrid combination, this Cross Country variant is content with a single, less powerful mechanism. It’s also a four-cylinder, but only turbocharged, whose power is increased to 247 hp and torque to 258 lb-ft. A 13 hp starter-alternator supports it on occasion to fill in the hollows caused by this type of mechanism. Without being a thunderbolt, this powertrain, also composed of an efficient eight-speed automatic transmission, moves the family’s 1842 kg with relative ease. It shines mainly at low revs and its manners are very subdued, which fits with the temperament of this V60 Cross Country. That said, fuel consumption turned out to be a little high for the format, approaching 10 L/100 km.

Behind the wheel

Well seated in seats with irreproachable ergonomics, you grab a good-sized steering wheel and then lay your eyes on an elegant crystal-cut gear lever. Very interesting visually, it is however not very pleasant to handle. Dynamically, this Volvo quickly shows its colors: the feel of the steering is distant and the roll, rather present, without it becoming tiresome. However, there is a precision in the execution, with its double wishbone front axle, an observation a little spoiled by the sometimes too hectic ride. This weakness can be attributed both to the optional 19-inch tires and the lack of adaptive damping. The all-wheel drive exhibits predictable behavior and can sometimes force the rear axle to reposition the vehicle when on a more slippery surface. No behavior settings are also offered, apart from the firmness of the steering and a summary off-road mode.

Embedded technologies

We really like the focus on materials and their presentation, but the few controls force us to constantly rely on the vertical 12.3-inch touch screen. The interface itself still gives the impression of an unfinished job that Volvo is trying to improve with remote updates. The icons are sparse and small, and the quality of the definition is not of the same size compared to many generalist brands. The Android base of the system, however, allows the integration of a large number of applications as well as Google Maps. The recent arrival of Apple CarPlay is a necessary addition, but the app proved finicky during testing. Wireless docking is also not present. Finally, the optional Bowers & Wilkins audio system gives an extraordinarily clear rendering regardless of the tone it emits. The asking $3750 is well worth the cost.

The verdict

It seems undeniable that this Volvo V60 Cross Country seeks, with the V60, to keep the compact wagon alive in North America. Without having the means of the rival brands, Volvo must however resolve to prepare an aging product which presents certain shortcomings on the practical level. The fact remains that this family has an endearing side and presents a more complete dynamism than many generic SUVs. It’s not a heart-pounding product, but rather a refined expression of the Scandinavian spirit. There is a salutary simplicity to this V60 Cross Country which may seem attractive to some as German brands rely ad nauseam on technology to define their models. For this approach in itself, we must tip our hats and hope for a next generation in the same vein.