2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country Review

　　

2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　Volvo's station wagons have been a staple of families since the 1980s. And while other manufacturers no longer sell their wagons in the United States (or anywhere else for that matter), Volvo continues to produce some of the most stylish and functional examples you can buy. With its extra ground clearance and plastic body cladding, the V60 Cross Country adds off-road credentials to the already handsome and practical V60. For 2021, Volvo has kept things largely the same for the Cross Country but added an ever-more popular feature of massaging front seats.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country T5 4dr Wagon AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$181/mo  for V60 Cross Country T5

　　V60 Cross Country T5

　　T5 4dr Wagon AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $45,450 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　Wagons are rare these days, but there's still some competition for the Cross Country. The A4 Allroad offers similar features and capabilities, while the rugged Subaru Outback can take you farther off the beaten path but with less refinement. Larger wagons are available but can cost considerably more money without being any more adept off the highway. Will the V60 Cross Country hit the sweet spot for your stylish adventures? Read our Expert Rating below to find out more.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.8

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the V60 Cross Country drive? Driving performance in the V60 Cross Country is entirely middle of the road. Its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine provides sufficient power for daily duty, it handles with confidence, and everything from the brakes to the eight-speed automatic transmission operates relatively smoothly. Nothing is going to impress you when you're behind the wheel, but you likely won't be disappointed either. Simply put, this is just an easy vehicle to tool around in.

　　On paper, its 7-second 0-60 mph acceleration time and panic-stopping distance of 122 feet are both slightly below average among wagons in the class. We think Volvo's midgrade twin-charged engine would really hit a sweet spot were it still offered.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the V60 Cross Country? If you value comfort over performance in your wagon, then the V60 Cross Country is the way to go. Front seat comfort is nothing short of amazing, with highly adjustable and supportive seat cushions, not to mention optional ventilation and massage functions. It also offers more supportive rear seats than competitors. Unlike the standard V60, the Cross Country's extra ride height and suspension travel afford a plush, SUV-like ride, but without the instability of a high center of gravity.

　　The interior is relatively quiet, though at highway speeds some faint wind noise can be heard around the windshield. When pushed hard, the engine can also emit some coarse sounds. The climate control operates effectively when set to a target temp, but controlling it requires multiple steps all run through the touchscreen. But it does have four zones, a rare luxury in this class.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The Cross Country's attractive interior is a model of simple yet elegant Scandinavian design, but there are some drawbacks in terms of operation. Some controls have unconventional icons, and many basic functions require you to use the touchscreen. The infotainment system takes some getting used to but eventually begins to make sense.

　　The V60 Cross Country provides plenty of room for all passengers and offers the driver a decent range of adjustments, though taller drivers may wish for a little more extension from the steering column. The Volvo's squared-off door openings and slightly elevated ride height make it that much easier to step in and out of. There's also excellent outward visibility, aided by remote-folding rear headrests and an available 360-degree camera, which makes parking a breeze.

　　

Technology

7.5/10

　　How’s the tech? As infotainment screens have grown over the years, Volvo's 9-inch touchscreen has become a bit less striking. And with some controls buried under multiple menu layers, it's less intuitive than other systems. The absence of physical buttons and knobs means basic operations, like adjusting the climate control system, must be performed via the touchscreen. Volvo has added dual USB-C power ports for the back seat and a wireless phone charger up front. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration systems come standard, but they look small on Volvo's vertically oriented screen.

　　Volvo's reputation for safety is evident in the advanced safety features, but the forward collision warning and automatic braking have a tendency to be overly sensitive and alarming when they trigger unexpectedly. The Pilot Assist adaptive cruise control works pretty well and can even follow the lane markings as the road curves, but it sometimes rides the driver's side boundary a bit too closely.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? With the utility of an SUV and the handling and general size of a sedan, the V60 Cross Country offers the best of both worlds. The luggage area behind the rear seats is decently sized at 23.2 cubic feet, though some rivals offer slightly more space. With the seats folded, there's an ample 50.9 cubic feet of storage space available.

　　The Cross Country, just like the standard V60, has only a modest amount of interior storage for your personal effects. Child seats are easy to install, and there's plenty of space for a rear-facing infant seat even behind 6-foot-tall front occupants.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The Cross Country is slightly less efficient than the standard V60 wagon, due to its higher ride height and slightly heavier curb weight. The EPA rates the Cross Country at 25 mpg combined (22 city/31 highway), 2 mpg below the standard V60's combined estimate. On our 115-mile standardized evaluation loop the Cross Country returned 25.9 mpg, which is slightly lower than what we'd expect since the route is biased toward highway driving.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the V60 Cross Country a good value? In terms of pricing, the V60 Cross Country is a bit on the expensive side, especially since Volvo has done away with the more powerful midgrade T6 engine but kept the higher midgrade price. But in return, you get an interior that is beautifully designed with high-quality materials and sturdy construction and plenty of comfort features. It's refined and luxurious, which helps justify the cost.

　　Warranty duration is about average for the industry and other wagons, but Volvo offers lifetime coverage for all Volvo genuine parts that are installed by an authorized workshop — a nice perk for peace of mind. Free scheduled maintenance is also included for three years.

　　

Wildcard

8.0/10

　　The V60 Cross Country may not be as glued to the road as the V60, but it retains its nimbleness and brings better ride quality as well as extra ground clearance to the mix. There's potentially more ability for off-road exploration, but if you drive primarily on paved roads, it won't be quite as much fun as the standard V60.

　　The V60, in any form, is a handsome vehicle, unmistakable for any other brand on the road, and it hits the sweet spot between form and function.

　　

Which V60 Cross Country does zzdcar recommend?

With only one trim level to choose from, it has to be the T5 AWD. To that, we'd add the Advanced package for the advanced driver aids as well as the top-of-the-line Bowers & Wilkins Premium Sound option. We think it's one of the best audio systems around.

　　

2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country models

The 2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country is a variant of the standard V60 wagon but with a higher ride height. Only one trim level is offered: T5 AWD, powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (250 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque). An eight-speed automatic is the only available transmission and all-wheel drive is included. Only three option packages are available along with a smattering of stand-alone options, which include larger wheels, upgraded audio systems and a few luxury items. Highlighted features include:

　　T5 AWD

　　Comes well equipped with a fair number of standard features, such as:

　　18-inch wheels LED exterior lighting Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves) Panoramic sunroof Roof rails Front and rear parking sensors Keyless entry Power liftgate 12.3-inch digital instrument panel Power-adjustable and heated front seats Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility Dual-zone climate control Leather upholstery 9-inch infotainment touchscreen 10-speaker audio systemStandard advanced driver aids:

　　Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued) Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)Option packages:

　　Advanced package Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield) Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Volvo and the car in front) Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the V60 Cross Country and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Wireless phone charger Lounge package Upgraded leather upholstery Ventilated front seats with additional adjustments Four-zone climate control Power-adjustable passenger seat with memory functions Climate package Heated wiper blades Heated rear seats Heated steering wheel

　　

2021 V60 Cross Country Highlights

　　

Base MSRP	$45,450
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$181/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	23.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles