2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country B5 AWD Ultimate test drive review

A huge step up from the wagon competition, the 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country is exactly what buyers could want. It’s gorgeous to look at, exuding class and athleticism all at the same time. It’s also comfortable and supremely practical. These selling points should be enough to win over buyers, but the appeal of top-mark safety ratings and an efficient and fun powertrain only sweeten the deal. See Volvo V60s for sale

Price and value 

The V60 Cross Country isn’t inexpensive, but considering what you get, the price tag makes sense. The base MSRP range for the 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country is $50,095-$55,395. It is available in two trim levels, with a suite of standard features that includes a laminated panoramic moonroof, Google Assistant and Volvo’s Pilot Assist. Some of the major differences in trim levels are noted below. 

• Plus: $50,095 See listings

Linear Lime decor 

Leather seating

Dual-zone climate control

• Ultimate: $55,395 See listings

Harman Kardon premium sound 

Front seat ventilation

Head-up display 

Our Ultimate tester came with the Climate Package, which included a heated steering wheel and rear seats, 20-inch wheels and a fancy Bowers and Wilkins premium sound system, which brought the total MSRP to $63,585.

Volvo’s warranty is about on par with the rest of the luxury industry, offering four years or 50,000 miles of coverage for both limited and powertrain coverage. Volvo also includes three years or 36,000 miles worth of complimentary maintenance.

Performance 

The Volvo V60 Cross Country knows its assignment and does it well. Not trying to be anything it’s not, the V60’s performance is perfectly appropriate for what it is: a stylish, luxurious wagon. There are no surprises here, and it’s refreshing to see something so confident in what it was designed to be. 

Engine 

The V60 Cross Country comes with one engine option: a turbocharged mild-hybrid 4-cylinder engine producing 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It strikes a good balance of fun and efficiency, although it did feel a bit buzzy when pushed hard.

Fuel efficiency 

Excitement may not be Volvo’s calling card, but it’s made up for in fuel economy. Our tester was rated at 23 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway and 26 mpg combined. Our week of combined testing yielded 25 mpg — not bad for a fairly hefty all-wheel drive lifted wagon. 

Drivetrain 

The 4-cylinder engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, of which there’s no drama. Shifts are smooth and logical and always provide power when it’s needed. The all-wheel-drive system no doubt will work wonders in the rain and snow. 

Acceleration and handling 

Accelerating in the V60 Cross Country feels purposeful and quicker than expected. We wouldn’t call it fast, but it has just enough power to get through most driving situations. It faintly reminded me of my old Subaru WRX in its power delivery, and that’s not a bad thing. Being a wagon means you get the added advantage over a true SUV that sits higher and has a higher center of gravity. It handled like a car and should be comfortable and natural for most drivers. Car and Driver clocked its 0-60 mph time in 7.1 seconds. 

Braking 

Braking similarly felt natural and progressive with no unnatural grab points. Being a Volvo, safety is paramount and features like automated emergency braking are standard. 

Interior comfort and convenience 

Volvo’s svelte exterior styling is naturally extended to the beautiful interior. It’s unmistakably Swedish, and it sets itself apart in thoughtful and quirky ways. It’s a luxurious place to spend time, with easy entry and exit for all passengers thanks to the slightly lifted ride height. 

Seats 

Historically, Volvo has produced some of the most comfortable seats in the business. Strangely, we did not find the front seats of our tester overly comfortable. While they were heavily bolstered, the leather and foam were surprisingly hard and slippery — so much so, we found ourselves comically sliding out of our seats when pushing the car around corners. Maybe it was just our tester, but it was a bit of a letdown considering our previous glowing reviews of Volvo’s seats. The rear seats were decently comfortable, with plenty of legroom for children and average-sized adults. Find a V60

Climate control 

We were likewise surprised by the time it took for the Swede to warm up. Granted, we tested the car on very cold days, but still, it took longer than expected. 

Cargo space and cabin storage 

Interior storage was a bit slim, but boy, we love the versatility of a wagon. With the second row up, there was plenty of cargo space for all your gear. With it down, the Volvo V60 Cross Country essentially becomes your second home.  

Infotainment system 

Volvo recently updated its interface to a Google based system, and while it does work fairly well, it can be challenging to get used to. It’s not terribly intuitive and has small icons. It was difficult to operate while driving and, ironically given Volvo’s penchant for safety, not safe. The camera displays look sharp, but are smaller than expected. Overall the infotainment and display is definitely stylish, but not the easiest to use.

Exterior appearance and functionality 

The Volvo V60 Cross Country looks incredibly sharp in a reserved and subdued kind of way. It will have you feeling appropriately posh as you drop your kid off at private school on your way to the Patagonia store. In all seriousness, the V60 Cross Country is beautiful. It has a great stance, looks mature and is one of the most composed wagons on the road today.

Towing capacity 

Towing is rated at 1,653 pounds. And like most turbocharged 4-cylinder vehicles, we’d advise that just because you can tow something with it doesn’t mean that you should. 

Wheels 

The V60 Cross Country got new wheels for 2023, and they look sharp. The Pirelli P Zero all-season tires provided ample grip on cold, wet roads and we have no doubt this wagon would excel taking the crew for a day on the slopes.

Lights and turn signals 

LEDs are always welcome, and they’re everywhere to be found here. The headlights are auto-leveling and directionally adaptive, with automatic high-beam functionality.

Safety ratings and features

As expected, the Volvo doesn’t skimp on safety features. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awards it an overall five-star safety rating, while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded it its Top Safety Pick+ rating.  Here’s a sampling of some of the features you can expect.

• Front and rear automatic emergency braking

• Lane keep assist

• Blind spot monitoring

• Rear cross-traffic alert

• Automatic high beams

• Adaptive cruise control

• Enhanced lane keep assist

Awards and ratings 

Besides its safety awards, the Volvo V60 Cross Country was named an Editor’s Choice in the Best New Cars category in 2021. Check out V60 listings

Final impression 

Wagons are an endangered species. There are few of them left these days, which makes us love the Volvo V60 Cross Country all the more. It’s just the right combination of style, utility and luxury to make for an interesting alternative to all the usual SUV suspects. Volvo does safety, beauty and practicality well. If those things are important, you definitely need to check out the 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country.

Want to see more of the Volvo V60 Cross Country? Check it out on KSL Cars.

FAQs 

Is it fun to drive? 

We wouldn’t call it exciting, but it is a nice place to spend time. The engine is punchy enough and would surely be a blast to take up the canyon for a day skiing or mountain biking. 

Is it good for families? 

For small families, yes and no. There’s not a lot of storage or rear seat room, but there is plenty of room in the cargo area to haul around a stroller, soccer gear and anything else your kids need for their expensive education. 

KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.