{"id":237752,"date":"2023-09-08T14:49:24","date_gmt":"2023-09-08T14:49:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/automotobuzz.com\/?p=237752"},"modified":"2023-09-08T14:49:24","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T14:49:24","slug":"test-drive-2023-volvo-v60-cross-country-exalts-the-wagon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/automotobuzz.com\/car-reviews\/test-drive-2023-volvo-v60-cross-country-exalts-the-wagon\/","title":{"rendered":"Test drive: 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country exalts the wagon"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Wagons such as the Volvo V60 Cross Country might make the perfect parenting car for scouting potential colleges, but Volvo\u2019s compact wagon hit just right in a Labor Day getaway to the Missouri Ozarks, where the most pressing demands were boat and beer.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

I would\u2019ve enjoyed the 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country Ultimate on more responsible adult adventures as well. But over 800 country miles, I appreciated its timeless design more with each approach, and the contoured bucket seats were so comfy that an eight-hour trip could be had without fuss if not for fuel stops. It\u2019s an excellent touring car, but Volvo\u2019s enhancements for the 2023 model year fall short of the top grades on most other new cars, wagon or otherwise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On the brand\u2019s march to make all battery-electric vehicles by 2030, and to electrify the lineup before then, the V60 is the last of Volvo\u2019s models to get a<\/span> mild-hybrid system<\/span> to supplement the 2.0-liter turbo-4. It features Google built-in running the infotainment system, but the tester lacked wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity as well as a wireless phone charger. Minor quibbles, but for $63,585 as tested, the quibbles are earned.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Pro: Handsome Volvo<\/span><\/h2>\n

Over the years Volvo design has swung between the spartan and the Swedish to the professorial and parochial. Wagons tend to split the difference, but the V60 Cross Country stands out as the best-looking design in Volvo\u2019s handsome lineup.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Cross Country models stand taller, ride higher, and stretch a bit longer than their sedan counterparts: The V60 Cross Country is 59.2 inches tall (2.6 inches taller than the<\/span> related Volvo S60<\/span>); has a ground clearance of 7.8 inches (5.4 inches in S60); and it\u2019s about an inch longer. The stretched proportions of the wagon complement the long nose, and except for German wagons, it\u2019s unlike anything else on roads. It\u2019s such visual relief to not be smacked with rugged adjectives for the soft-roader set, or to be split and diffused as a sedan marketed as sport.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Pro: $3,200 wheel package<\/span><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s a lot, but it upgrades the 19-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels to 20s flexing a seven-spoke design and wrapped in 245\/40 Pirelli P Zero all-season tires with great grip on the Ozark\u2019s hilly twisties. And you won\u2019t need to swap them out when winter hits.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Pro: Good handling and ride quality<\/span><\/h2>\n

The double wishbone front and multilink rear suspension aid the tires in providing a spirited ride when pushed, but it also acts as peroxide against road acne as well as wind-blown twigs, armadillo shells, and deer parts. It\u2019s a sturdy blend of sport and comfort, yet the cabin remains quiet while cruising.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Pro: Classic Volvo interior<\/span><\/h2>\n

Inside, the mix of grained wood, chrome trim, perforated nappa leather, and metallic speaker grilles (the $3,200 Bose package seems much more expensive than the wheel package) harmonizes fine luxury materials with spare Swedish design. It\u2019s a calming place to be. Except for the quibbles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Con: No wireless phone charger<\/span><\/h2>\n

Con: No cordless Apple CarPlay<\/span><\/h2>\n

Con: USB-C only<\/span><\/h2>\n

The V60 was discontinued here and in other markets, but the Cross Country models remain for now, and I\u2019d expect both of these shortcomings to be addressed for the 2024 model year. I can\u2019t think of many other new cars mid-grade or higher without a wireless phone charger.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Wireless CarPlay compatibility might be a Google built-in shortcoming, for now, and the lack of old USB-A ports is my problem. Get an adapter, guy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pro: Great seats<\/span><\/h2>\n

Aside from Lincoln, no one makes seats as comfy for road-tripping as Volvo. They\u2019re a lot less plush than Lincoln, but provide superlative support and feel less like you\u2019re getting out of a La-Z-Boy. Power lumbar support with power side bolsters and a power thigh extender means that bodies of completely different shapes, sizes, and complaints of back pain can find the right amount of comfort.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Con: Visors don\u2019t extend<\/span><\/h2>\n

With the visors swung to the doors, there\u2019s at least a four-inch gap for direct sunlight to do its damage. need at least four more inches to block out the sun. If the V60 Cross Country continues, can we get a sliding visor extender?<\/span><\/p>\n

It should continue, and not just for wagon\u2019s sake. The Volvo V60 Cross Country drives like a grand touring car, but hauls with the flexible cargo space of a crossover SUV. And it\u2019s a real swell looker.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013<\/strong><\/p>\n

Base price<\/strong>: $55,195, including $1,095 destination<\/span><\/p>\n

Price as tested<\/strong>: $63,585<\/span><\/p>\n

Drivetrain<\/strong>: mild-hybrid 2.0-liter turbo-4, 247 hp and 258 lb-ft; 8-speed automatic; all-wheel drive\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

EPA fuel economy<\/strong>: 23 mpg city, 30 highway, 26 combined<\/span><\/p>\n

Pros<\/strong>: Great seats, good looks, good ride, good wheels<\/span><\/p>\n

Cons<\/strong>: Needs tech upgrades at this price, longer visors<\/span><\/p>\n

Source: Read Full Article<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Wagons such as the Volvo V60 Cross Country might make the perfect parenting car for scouting potential colleges, but Volvo\u2019s<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nTest drive: 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country exalts the wagon - AutoMotoBuzz.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/automotobuzz.com\/car-reviews\/test-drive-2023-volvo-v60-cross-country-exalts-the-wagon\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Test drive: 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country exalts the wagon - AutoMotoBuzz.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Wagons such as the Volvo V60 Cross Country might make the perfect parenting car for scouting potential colleges, but Volvo\u2019s\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/automotobuzz.com\/car-reviews\/test-drive-2023-volvo-v60-cross-country-exalts-the-wagon\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"AutoMotoBuzz.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-09-08T14:49:24+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/automotobuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/512x512bb.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"512\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"512\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"mediabest\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"mediabest\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/automotobuzz.com\/car-reviews\/test-drive-2023-volvo-v60-cross-country-exalts-the-wagon\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/automotobuzz.com\/car-reviews\/test-drive-2023-volvo-v60-cross-country-exalts-the-wagon\/\",\"name\":\"Test drive: 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country exalts the wagon - 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