By Veeno Dewan
The 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country is an offshoot variant of the Volvo V60 wagon. Sleek, solid looking, the V60 CC looks every inch the desirable expensive premium Swedish wagon it is. Its five-door format with a rear hatch and a useful cargo area make it supremely versatile without the sometimes-dumpy awkward looks of a tall SUV.
It also rides on a suspension system that raises it, 211 mm (8.3 in) and has a wider front and rear track. Like its Volvo V60 sibling it looks exotic with a premium European image and feel about it. It comes superbly equipped and safety is extremely high as in all Volvo Vehicles.
Engine –wise, the Cross Country’s has a carry-over T5 turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder unit producing 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque from 1500-4800 rpm. It is All Wheel Drive equipped and drives all four wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country has a starting price of $65,900 and offers a huge list of equipment such as: Panoramic Sunroof, Keyless Entry with Handsfree Tailgate Opening, Power Child Lock, Rear Side Doors, 12.3” Driver Display, Power Adjustable Heated Front Seats with Driver Memory. Entertainment includes Google Automotive Services w/ Google Maps, Google Assistant & Google Play Store, Volvo Cars App w/ 4 Year Subscription, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto plus Sirius Satellite Radio. Creature features include: HomeLink™, 4 Zone Climate Control, Air Purifier, Heated Steering Wheel, ventilated Front Seats, 12V Outlet in the cargo e Area, Exterior Side Scuff Plates, Head Up Display, and a Harman Kardon Premium Sound system.
We tested a V60 Cross Country B5 AWD model with Nappa Leather trim in charcoal with the following options: Additional Backrest Massage Front Seats, Bowers & Wilkins Premium Sound System, and 20 inch 7 spoke graphite diamond cut alloy wheels and Blind Spot Information System with Cross traffic alert,. The final tally for our tester came to $72,425 plus Freight & PDI .
The V60 cabin itself is very typical Volvo; with a wonderfully bright and unique looking interior. A plethora of metal detailing, tasteful trim, and chrome are also highlights. A large, sunroof, a power tailgate, and heated leather seats are also standard fare. I do like that crystal gearlever by the way! The seats are excellent as well — comfortable and incredibly supportive and the front cabin is very roomy. The Cross Country’s standard powered lift gate opens up to 648 L of cargo space behind the second row, expandable to 1431 L. Its low cargo floor height is a boon for loading stuff. The button on the tailgate will close it and then automatically lock the doors, which is a handy feature. Safety is high, with such features such as: Pilot Assist, Semi Autonomous Drive System w/ Adaptive Cruise Control, 360° Camera, Park Assist Front and Rear & Side LED Headlights with Active Bending Lights, Collision Mitigation Support, Front & Rear, Lane Keeping Aid, Descent Control. Road Sign Information (RSI) automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, and other features too long to list.
On the road, with peak horsepower at 250 hp @ 5,500 rpm there is enough grunt to give the Cross Country a decent turn of speed. The turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder unit offers smooth acceleration, and it was hard to detect any turbo lag. AWD offers crisp off the line starts, and the eight-speed automatic delivers smooth shifts. The driving experience is particularly good, the solid chassis offers a ride that is compliant and comfortable. The suspension despite its raised height delivers a rock steady sensation and the Cross-Country exhibits little body roll or wandering when taking curves. The AWD system offers excellent traction on all road surfaces and light trails. The steering is responsive. Hard cornering is taken care of it effortlessly. The V60 Cross Country’s fuel efficiency is officially rated at (L/100 km): 10.1 City / 7.7 Highway / 9.0 Combined 10.8 -which we came pretty much to achieving.
Nothing too negative to write about the V60 It is expensive and there is no hybrid or electric version for now, but it does not have much competition in its niche. The CC is a great alternative if you are looking for a roomy, cargo carrying AWD vehicle but cannot bring yourself to buy a SUV that everyone else has. The V60 CC is sleek, graceful, and undeniably special – and you will not see many around which is a huge plus point. With its brilliantly executed premium Swedish design it is well worth the price. Superb in so many ways.
2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country: Priced as tested- to $72,425 plus Freight & PDI .
More info at www.volvo.ca
