Volvo V60 T5 Cross Country Plus AWD Auto, Intellisafe Pro, Winter pack, Adaptive Cruise Control 2.0 Automatic 5 door 4x4 (2019) available from Land Rover Swindon

Volvo extends the Cross Country theme to its slick V60 estate. Jonathan Crouch reports.

Ten Second Review

We already have a whole lot of time for Volvo's V60 estate, but giving it the Cross Country treatment can only broaden its appeal. Buyers get a choice of mild hybrid petrol and diesel engines, with eight-speed automatic transmission and permanent all-wheel drive as standard, plus an off-road driving mode. It's not cheap, though.

Background

Be honest with yourself. Do you really need an SUV? Chances are you don't. You might just be buying one because you like sitting up high, or you think you're going to come off better in a crash or maybe just because you think you ought to have one. Now, you're clearly within your rights to choose exactly whatever you've earned the money to afford, but buying an SUV comes with a whole bunch of downsides that their manufacturers don't want you to know about. The laws of physics being what they are, nothing comes for free. Added size is added weight, extra fuel thirst, compromised handling and less effective braking. If only there was a smarter way to get that rugged, go-anywhere look without all of the lard. You can see where I'm going with this can't you? Yep, Volvo delivers just that in the shape of this much improved second generation V60 Cross Country model, arguably a smarter solution than the average mid-sized premium-branded SUV.

Driving Experience

Volvo offers two choices under the bonnet of this MK2 model V60 Cross Country, the 197hp B4 mild hybrid diesel engine being the unit most choose. It endows the Cross Country with a braked towing capacity of 2,000kg. An alternative B5 mild hybrid petrol unit with 250hp is also on offer. Permanent all-wheel drive comes as standard, along with 60mm more ground clearance than you'd get in an ordinary V60. Plus this Cross Country version also gets Hill Descent Control and an Off Road Drive Mode setting. So as you can tell, it's much more suitable for rough road treatment than the previous generation V60 Cross Country model. Hill Descent Control automatically controls the car's speed down a steep slope, while the Off Road setting alters the operation of the constantly variable all-wheel-drive system and the responsiveness of the engine, gearbox and accelerator pedal to help when negotiating tricky terrain below 25mph. The previous V60 Cross Country couldn't really match the sharp handling reactions of its premium German rivals but there's a significant improvement in that area this time round thanks to the installation of the stiffer, more sophisticated 'SPA' 'Scalable Product Architecture' platform we've also seen used in the company's XC60, XC90, S90 and V90 models. As usual with Volvos, there's a standard 'Drive Mode Settings' system, one of those set-ups now familiar in this segment that can tailor throttle response, steering feel and auto gearshift timings to suit the way you want to drive. Plus there's the option of adding in Volvo's 'Pilot Assist' system. This is a set-up that at cruising speeds of up to 80mph can effectively drive for you.

Design and Build

The base V60 was always a handsome car, but the Cross Country amps up the attitude a good few degrees with the addition of robust bodywork protection elements. Finished in charcoal grey, these include wheel arch extensions, lower sill mouldings and a rear bumper embossed with the Cross Country logo. With the lower grille adopting the same finish, extra visual ruggedness is added right around the lower part of the car, referencing its ability to tackle more challenging conditions. It also gets five-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels, which are specific to the Cross Country. Inside, there's much borrowed from the brand's V90 and XC60 models, the interior boasting Volvo's latest, paired back interior design language with a 9.3-inch portrait orientated touchscreen infotainment system. Plus there's a digital instrument panel, with virtual dials separated by a customisable central space that can display a navigational map, trip computer info or your chosen phone or media settings. Out back, boot space comes in at 529-litres with the rear seats in place, outstripping rivals in this segment like the Audi A4 allroad, BMW 3 Series Touring xDrive and the Mercedes C-Class Estate 4MATIC. The rear bench splits 40/20/40 and drops down flat to the floor.

Market and Model

The price for this model in B4 diesel form is just over £41,000. You'll pay much the same for the alternative B5 mild hybrid petrol version. Across the range, front and rear parking sensors, automatic LED headlights with Active High Beam, a powered tailgate and Hill Start Assist come included. Optimum temperature and air quality is maintained by the dual-zone climate control with CleanZone system, also fitted as standard. A range of accessories - including ski, kayak and bike holders - are available for those with adventurous lifestyles. You also get some lovely tech like the City Safety function with automatic emergency braking, which is capable of detecting and helping you avoid potential collisions with pedestrians, cyclists and large animals as well as other vehicles on the road ahead. The V60 also benefits from Oncoming Collision Mitigation, a world-first safety technology that detects vehicles travelling towards you and applies the brakes automatically to limit the severity of any potential impact. The purchase options are innovative too. In certain areas of the country, customers who want an alternative to outright purchase, leasing, contract hire or finance schemes will be offered the opportunity to acquire a V60 using the new 'Care by Volvo' scheme. Here, there's no deposit required and you'll get a two year agreement that also includes use of another Volvo model for up to two weeks a year.

Cost of Ownership

Volvo's 'Drive-E' technology means that the WLTP-rated fuel returns and CO2 emissions are well up to class standard. For the B4 mild hybrid diesel using the standard 18-inch wheels, the benchmark efficiency figures are up to 48.6mpg combined cycle fuel economy, with CO2 emissions of up to 153g/km. For the B5 mild hybrid petrol variant, the figures are up to 37.6mpg and 170g/km. Demand for the XC60 SUV has proved that buyers in this class like the rugged Volvo look, and the V60 Cross Country has a more cerebral appeal that ought to plump up residual values quite nicely. Ultimately of course, we can talk about figures all day but the ultimate cleanliness and frugality of any car has as much to do with the driver as with the automotive engineer. Here, the figures quoted assume that the car is being operated in the most frugally-orientated of the available drive modes - 'Eco' - a setting that gives you a green-tinged gauge you can use to regulate throttle application. Maintenance should also be relatively affordable for a car of this kind, with intervals every year or 18,000 miles. Three or five year pre-paid servicing packages are available to help you budget ahead. With the useful 'Volvo On Call App' remote connectivity system, this V60 can be programmed to autonomously realise when a service is due, then automatically book it for you at a dealership of your choice. Finally, we'll tell you that the warranty is the usual three year, 60,000 mile package.

Summary

There has to be a better way, something smarter than the legions of soft-roader SUVs. They're inefficient, lumbering and have become a bit of a cliche. Volvo reckons that the answer's been there all along. Its Cross Country brand has a long heritage, dating all the way back to 1997 when this Swedish brand was the first to take an ordinary estate (then the bigger V70 model) and give it extra all-road capability and chunky off road styling. Over twenty years of experience since have culminated in this second generation V60 Cross Country model, a superior example of its genre. Yes, the price is quite high and you could get a quality premium SUV for the same amount, but if that's not what you really want, this this countrified Volvo just might be.

Volvo estates aren't what they used to be. Jonathan Crouch checks out the second generation version of the brand's V60 mid-sized estate.

Ten Second Review

Volvo's regeneration continues with this second generation V60 mid-sized estate model. It gets the company's sophisticated SPA chassis, class-leading safety tech and two choices for Plug-in hybrid power. If you're looking at German rivals like the Audi A4 Avant, the BMW 3 Series Touring or the Mercedes C-Class Estate, this Swedish alternative might be a refreshingly different option.

Background

Estate cars. They used to be things you bought to carry around loads of kit. Not any more. These days, most people wanting to do that will buy an MPV or an SUV. Leaving estates to focus almost completely on style and driving dynamics. Which is why compact mid-sized premium-branded wagons like Audi's A4 Avant and BMW's 3 Series Touring can't actually carry much more than the saloons upon which they're based. Now you wouldn't expect Volvo, a solid, traditional brand that pioneered the kind of boxy estate car into which you could fit a fridge (or several), to want much to do with this kind of trendy form over function approach. But you'd be wrong. The Swedish brand actually invented this style-conscious market niche long before the German brands turned up, bringing us the classic P1800E model that Roger Moore drove as 'The Saint' way back in the Sixties. But it took them until 2010 to return to it with the first generation version of their V60 model. That car wasn't quite good enough to significantly trouble its dominant German-branded rivals. But this design, its successor, might well be.

Driving Experience

As usual with Volvo, all the engines on offer are 2.0-litre four cylinder turbocharged units bolted to the brand's sophisticated 'SPA' 'Scalable Product Architecture' platform we've already seen used in the company's XC60, XC90, S90 and V90 models. Many V60 customers may still want a diesel, the 197hp B4 mild hybrid unit, which (like every other engine in the range) is mated to an 8-speed auto gearbox. But increasingly in this segment, there's great interest in petrol power, so to meet that need, Volvo now provides this car with three mainstream mild hybrid petrol units, the 163hp B3, the 197hp B4 and the 250hp B5. Avoid entry-level trim and there's also a 300hp B6 petrol model that only comes in AWD form. Talking of AWD, you have to have that if you go for the 'Cross Country' variant, which can be had either with the 250hp B5 mild hybrid petrol unit or the 197hp B4 diesel. There are also two 'Recharge' PHEV AWD powertrain options that both mate their engines to an 87hp electric motor. There a T6 Plug-in hybrid that uses a 253hp unit. And a Polestar Engineered T8 Plug-in hybrid that features a 318hp powerplant. Whichever V60 variant you choose, as usual with Volvo models, there's a standard 'Drive Mode Settings' system, one of those set-ups now familiar in this segment that can tailor throttle response, steering feel and auto gearshift timings to suit the way you want to drive. Plus there's the option of adding in Volvo's 'Pilot Assist' system. This is a set-up that at cruising speeds of up to 80mph can effectively drive for you.

Design and Build

The original V60 model was quite a departure from the conventional boxy Volvo station wagon shape and this MK2 model continues that trend. To look at, it's very much like the larger V90 estate model that shares its sophisticated 'SPA' architecture. In fact, from a casual glance, you might easily mistake this V60 for its larger stablemate. Get up a little closer though, and you'll find that the front apron is more aggressively styled with this more compact wagon. There's some design inspiration from the XC60 mid-sized SUV in places too. The 'Thor's Hammer' LED headlights for example, though they're a bit more sculpted here, while the front apron is more aggressively styled in comparison to the smooth face of the V90. Inside, there's much more borrowed from those V90 and XC60 models, the interior boasting Volvo's latest, pared back interior design language with a 9.3-inch portrait orientated touchscreen infotainment system. Plus there's a digital instrument panel, with virtual dials separated by a customisable central space that can display a navigational map, trip computer info or your chosen phone or media settings. Out back, boot space comes in at 529-litres with the rear seats in place, outstripping the Audi A4 Avant, BMW 3 Series Touring and the Mercedes C-Class Estate. The rear bench splits 40/20/40 and drops down flat to the floor.

Market and Model

If you've looked at the various premium brand rivals targeted by this car, you'll have a pretty good idea of what to expect here when it comes to pricing. The V60 range sits in the same £35,000 to £50,000 bracket targeted by competitors. Expect the usual 'Momentum', 'R-Design' and 'Inscription' trim levels, plus a mildly SUV-like 'Cross Country' 4WD variant is available in B4 diesel or B5 petrol guise for just over £41,000. Safety standards are class-leading - and most of the features come as standard across the range. The City Safety with Autobrake technology system uses automatic braking and detection systems to assist the driver in avoiding potential collisions, and is the only system on the market to recognise pedestrians, cyclists and large animals. In a world first, City Safety now also engages auto braking to mitigate oncoming collisions. The purchase options are innovative too. In certain areas of the country, customers who want an alternative to outright purchase, leasing, contract hire or finance schemes will be offered the opportunity to acquire a V60 using the new 'Care by Volvo' scheme. Here, there's no deposit required and you'll get a two year agreement that also includes use of another Volvo model for up to two weeks a year.

Cost of Ownership

Let's look at the WLTP efficiency stats. The 197hp B4 mild hybrid diesel variant most will choose offers combined fuel consumption of up to 55.3mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions of up to 135g/km. The petrol-powered B3, B4 and B5 mild hybrid models offer combined fuel economy of up to 40.9mpg and CO2 emissions of up to 157g/km. The Recharge T6 AWD petrol/electric plug-in hybrid manages up to 156.7mpg and up to 41g/km and will offer an all-electric driving range of up to 36.7 miles. Ultimately of course, we can talk about figures all day but the ultimate cleanliness and frugality of any car has as much to do with the driver as with the automotive engineer. Here, the figures quoted assume that the car is being operated in the most frugally-orientated of the available drive modes - 'Eco' - a setting that gives you a green-tinged gauge you can use to regulate throttle application. Maintenance should also be relatively affordable for a car of this kind, with intervals every year or 18,000 miles. Three or five year pre-paid servicing packages are available to help you budget ahead. With the useful 'Volvo On Call App' remote connectivity system, this V60 can be programmed to autonomously realise when a service is due, then automatically book it for you at a dealership of your choice. Finally, we'll tell you that the warranty is the usual three year, 60,000 mile package.

Summary

Volvo estates aren't what they used to be - and in this case, that's a very good thing. This second generation V60 has found it easier than its predecessor to conquest sales from German rivals. Class-leading safety gives this Swedish contender a tangible advantage over such competitors. So does this V60's high-tech cabin with its more sophisticated infotainment and instrument binnacle screens. You get generally more complete levels of standard equipment too. This is then, a tale of the unexpected. If you're just about to sign for a premium 3 Series or A4-sized estate, then you might want to try one of these before you do. Swede dreams are made of this.

The second generation V60 is a Volvo estate car that's anything but square. June Neary gives it the once over.

Will It Suit Me?

If, prior to driving the Volvo V60, somebody had said that they figured I'd be a great fit for a Volvo estate, I'd have taken that as a bit of a slur. Weren't Volvo estates for antique dealers, university lecturers, Cotswold transplants trying their best to appear old money and the sort of people you see on the Crimewatch mugshot section? For a girl with some get up and go left, the Volvo estate image didn't seem a solid match. Then I saw the MK2 model V60 and this aversion crumbled somewhat. For a start, it's not resolutely square. In fact, the styling looks as if it's spent a little too long under a sun bed and has softened significantly. The basic proportions are also pretty athletic. Sporty even. Best of all, the cabin was anything but fuddy duddy when I threw open the door. Talk about an instant convert.

Practicalities

While we've seen many 'sporty' estates before, one recurrent theme is that the sexier they look, the more useless they are at their primary purpose - being an estate car. Actually though, the V60's 529- litre boot is larger than more upright members of the posh brand mid-sized estate community such as the BMW 3 Series Touring and Audi A4 Avant. Volvo also points out that there's more to practicality than sheer load volume and it's got a point. The V60 load area has been designed with a wide aperture and a uniform shape, so all of the available capacity can be used. The rear bench splits 40/20/40 and drops down flat to the floor.

Behind the Wheel

The cabin is finished in quite a spare Scandinavian way. I liked the clean look of the fascia, with its floating centre console but a couple of friends mentioned that they found it a little too stark and would quickly get bored with it. All agreed that the seats were some of the most comfortable they'd ever sat in. Most V60 customers will probably want a diesel, either the 150hp D3 or the 190hp D4. There's also a 250hp T5 petrol option. For the future, there'll be two plug-in hybrid powertrain options. There a T6 Twin Engine AWD petrol plug-in hybrid that generates a combined 340hp. Or a T8 Twin Engine AWD petrol plug-in hybrid that delivers 390hp. As usual with Volvos, there's a standard 'Drive Mode Settings' system, one of those set-ups now familiar in this segment that can tailor throttle response, steering feel and - if you've a self-shifter fitted - auto gearshift timings to suit the way you want to drive. Plus there's the option of adding in Volvo's 'Pilot Assist' system. This is a set-up that at cruising speeds of up to 80mph can effectively drive for you. You also get reasonable economy, the volume D4 diesel variant able to record 117g/km of CO2 and 64mpg on the combined cycle. That should keep me off the Pringles from my local petrol station. The previous V60 couldn't really match the sharp handling reactions of its premium German rivals but buyers can expect a significant improvement in that area this time round thanks to the installation of the stiffer, more sophisticated 'SPA' 'Scalable Product Architecture' platform we've already seen used in the company's XC60, XC90, S90 and V90 models. However, when you attempt to drive the V60 hard, it still feels a little unhappy, reminding you through a somewhat scrabbly front end that it's no sports car. Ease your pace and composure returns.

Value For Money

I knew the Volvo V60 wasn't going to be cheap but nearly £32,000 for the entry-level version rising to over £40,000 for one of the better-specified trim levels seemed quite a hefty sum. Expect the usual 'Momentum', 'R-Design' and 'Inscription' trim levels, plus a mildly SUV-like 'Cross Country' variant is planned for the future. Safety standards are class-leading - and most of the features come as standard across the range. The City Safety with Autobrake technology system uses automatic braking and detection systems to assist the driver in avoiding potential collisions, and is the only system on the market to recognise pedestrians, cyclists and large animals. In a world first, City Safety now also engages auto braking to mitigate oncoming collisions. The purchase options are innovative too. In certain areas of the country, customers who want an alternative to outright purchase, leasing, contract hire or finance schemes will be offered the opportunity to acquire a V60 using the new 'Care by Volvo' scheme. Here, there's no deposit required and you'll get a two year agreement that also includes use of another Volvo model for up to two weeks a year.

Could I Live With One?

I must admit, the Volvo V60 did worm its way into my affections. Any car that feels this well built, is this practical and yet which will see over 60 miles to the gallon has a whole lot to be said for it and when that package is as stylish as the V60, it becomes one of those cars that you'd consider laying your own money down for.