The Automobile No person Cares About Is Really The Coolest

I opened the V60 Cross Nation’s hatch and hop-bounced my canine. She barely ducked her tail because the tailgate electronically closed shut behind her. However as I strapped myself inside the driving force’s seat, it took me a second to appreciate that this wasn’t the same old SUV I’ve in my possession for opinions. This Volvo, relatively, has the low-to-the-ground really feel and driver-centric cockpit of a automobile. This wagon virtually feels old-school, but additionally barely sporty.

I then gazed by the rearview mirror, and there stood Billie, my three-year-old, blond Husky staring again at me enthusiastically with vast brown eyes. “This can be a cool automobile”, I bear in mind considering. Sure, the V60 Cross Nation is, certainly, very cool. Sadly, it is about to go as a result of no person actually cares.

The V60 Cross Nation pictured here’s a press unit that belongs to the Volvo Canada press workplace. The car was picked up clear and with a full tank of gasoline. For detailed perception into testing procedures and information assortment, please overview our methodology coverage.

2025 Volvo V60 Cross Nation First Impressions: It is A Swedish, Lifted Wagon. Want I Say Extra?

From a design standpoint, the V60 Cross Nation is fairly self-explanatory. This compact Scandinavian wagon is as conservative because it will get but nonetheless in some way manages to stay trendy and related. That is as a result of the sedan on which it is primarily based, the now defunct S60, was a lovely automobile from the get-go. The V60 merely stretches its roof and offers us a extra vertical, Volvo-traditional, LED taillight therapy. This automobile seems to be clear, understated, and plain beautiful.

Though I used to be a fan of the common V60’s hunkered-down look and sportier wheels – particularly on the Recharge mannequin I drove across the similar time final 12 months – the Cross Nation has some elegant particulars of its personal. Volvo integrates the lifted trip peak and plastic cladding in such a clear method, that all of it blends seamlessly into this automobile’s design. The Cross Nation additionally instantly states its goal because the extra adventure-seeking various. I simply want Volvo had a bit extra enjoyable with it and gave us brighter coloration choices right here in Canada. A minimum of the U.S. market will get Fusion Crimson.

2025 Volvo V60 Cross Nation Exterior Dimensions

2025 Volvo V60 Cross Nation: Variations Between The U.S. And Canadian Market

Usually talking, the U.S. and Canadian V60 Cross Nation lineups are comparatively an identical, aside from the truth that Canada will get a further trim degree referred to as Core. It is a extra primary and stripped-down model as a result of, apparently, Canada remains to be extra interested by wagons than the U.S., particularly within the province of Quebec. One thing to do with that province’s French roots. However, the U.S. market does get eight obtainable colours, whereas Volvo Canada solely affords 4.

U.S. Versus Canada Lineup Breakdown And Beginning MSRP (mannequin examined in daring)

Driving Impressions And Efficiency: Rock Strong And Surprisingly Agile, However Deserves B6 Engine

The only obtainable powertrain for your entire V60 Cross Nation lineup is the one Volvo calls B5, which changed the outdated T5 nomenclature. It is basically a turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder mated to a 48-volt delicate hybrid system. The full mixed output of this drivetrain is 247 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It is mated to a normal all-wheel-drive system, in addition to an eight-speed automated transmission.

And you already know what? It performs relatively properly. I’ve at all times preferred this engine for its peppiness and greater than ample torque. It permits the V60 Cross Nation to be fast off the road, additionally offering nice pickup for overtaking. Nevertheless it’s a thrashy engine, one which, as soon as it is revving near its redline, would not sound all that refined. I’d even have preferred to see Volvo supply the extra highly effective B6 choice right here, which successfully provides a supercharger for elevated horsepower and torque. That might have actually given this wagon the efficiency edge we fanatics are constantly hungry for. Blame low wagon demand for this choice.

I’ve at all times mentioned that the S60 was some of the underrated sports activities sedans on sale, and the V60 Cross Nation carries over a lot of that automobile’s dynamic skills, even when it is a tad increased off the bottom. The chassis is rock strong, and hyper-quiet always. There are completely no cabin rattles, and tire roar is stored to a minimal, spectacular contemplating the scale of my tester’s wheels. There’s additionally a shocking quantity of suggestions coming by the steering wheel, which is good. The V60 is nimble, playful, and truly relatively enjoyable to drive.

2025 Volvo V60 Cross Nation Technical Specs

Maybe its solely actual letdown on snow-covered roads is how the CC’s front-biased, reactive-type all-wheel-drive system continually defaults again to understeer. That is as a result of the automobile is actually front-wheel-drive till lack of grip is detected. So in an effort to get the rear to kick out, you sort of first must let the automobile plow ahead, at which level a stab of the throttle will activate the rear wheels. It is a counter-intuitive method of sending a automobile sideways, for certain, nevertheless it works. That is till the Cross Nation’s digital nannies instantly get you again in a straight line. Sadly, they can not be turned off.

However as a protected, comfy, and refined equipment to plow by a sturdy winter blizzard, it truthfully would not get a lot better than this. Due to their Scandinavian roots, Volvos are tremendously properly tailored to northern climates. The seats and steering wheel warmth up quick, defrosters act up shortly, and the heater would not fiddle whenever you ask for warm air. Collectively, together with the comfy seats and well-built cabin, all of it provides as much as feeling such as you’re being wrapped in a heat blanket.

2025 Volvo V60 Cross Nation Gasoline Consumption

What’s fascinating concerning the Cross Nation’s wagon format is that you simply’re basically getting the identical practicality as some SUVs (extra on that later), however with the decrease gasoline financial system of a sedan. The EPA’s 27 MPG mixed common is an ideal living proof because it’s only one MPG greater than the S60 sedan on which the automobile is predicated. Since I used to be driving the V60 CC throughout a really chilly week in February, the perfect I may provide you with was a 23 MPG common.

EPA And As Examined Gasoline Consumption

Inside Design And Consolation: Traditional Volvo Stuff, Snug And Properly Constructed, However Lacks Storage

If you already know your Volvos, you may admit that the V60’s inside is actually a carbon copy of the whole lot else within the lineup, besides, after all, the newer stuff just like the EX30 and EX90 electrical crossovers. Merely put, that is an growing older cabin design, one which’s nonetheless plagued with the S60’s shortcomings, akin to a complete lack of storage, a barely usable heart console, and the irritating absence of a wi-fi charging tray on your cellphone.

However, on the similar time, this stays a lovely cabin, one which elegantly blends typical Swedish minimalism with performance. It is also very properly put collectively, with tight panel gaps and intelligent use of premium supplies and colours to provide this inside a welcoming and costly really feel. The clear glass gear selector stays a singular Volvo trait. So are the tiny Swedish flags embroidered on the seats. The at all times crystal-clear Bowers & Wilkins sound system makes certain to be seen by the delightfully styled speaker grilles and central tweeter.

I’ve already talked about the consolation of the entrance seats, however the V60 can also be comfy within the rear, the place an opulent seatback cushion helps for lengthy highway journeys. There’s additionally loads of headroom as a result of automobile’s wagon form. As a matter of reality, whenever you take a second to check the numbers, you understand this V60 affords 0.1 inch extra rear headroom than the 2025 Acura ADX I drove not way back. Rear legroom, nonetheless, stays a bit of tight within the V60, particularly if a tall passenger is sitting up entrance.

2025 Volvo V60 Cross Nation Inside Dimensions

Expertise And Ease Of Use: Comparatively Straight Ahead, However Lacks Wi-fi Android Auto

Once more, like its inside, the V60’s expertise is getting relatively outdated. Positive, Volvo just lately overhauled the infotainment system by incorporating a brand new Google-based interface, in addition to a completely digital instrumentation. However that is undoubtedly extra conservative than what we’re now accustomed to seeing within the business.

The excellent news is that a lot of the expertise is relatively delicate, that means the V60 would not flood you with large screens and vivid, ambient lighting. The comparatively small nine-inch vertical pill operates a bit like a smartphone, requiring you to swipe or pinch in an effort to get issues accomplished. I like that, as it is not too intrusive. And because it’s Google-based, all you might want to do is log into your Gmail account to have entry to your individual Google Maps settings. Sadly, although, there is not any wi-fi Android Auto, which, once more, is a large letdown for a automobile of this value bracket.

The digital instrumentation carries with it the standard simplicity of Volvo’s interfaces. There’s actually not a lot occurring in there, aside from an RPM gauge and speedometer. The one ingredient that may be modified is the middle show the place Google Maps will be added for further comfort.

Cargo And Storage House: You are Really Getting Extra Than In A Volvo SUV

Now this is the place the V60 Cross Nation really reveals its price. I discussed earlier how my canine matches effortlessly again there, however what’s truly extra revealing is how this wagon affords extra default cargo area than Volvo’s personal XC60 crossover (17.1 cu-ft), which, satirically, rides on the identical platform. As a matter of reality, when all of the seats are folded flat on this factor, you are getting simply as, and in some instances, extra cargo area than in some SUVs.

2025 Volvo V60 Cross Nation Cargo House

One Of The Final Nice Wagons Left

It undoubtedly would not assist that Volvo sells its XC60 crossover for about $10,000 lower than this wagon, to say nothing of the automaker’s choice to take away the additionally wonderful Polestar Engineered plug-in hybrid mannequin from its North-American lineup. Volvo additionally just lately made it fairly clear that wagons aren’t a part of its future roadmap.

In different phrases, the 2025 Volvo V60 Cross Nation is a kind of uncommon birds, hidden deep inside a Volvo dealership and that’ll quickly merely disappear as one more nice wagon no person cared about. But when you already know, you already know. This one is fairly particular. So, when you’re nonetheless on this form of automobile, the Cross Nation is each a formidable family-hauling, all-weather-conquering equipment, and a dynamic, fun-to-drive sports activities sedan multi function elegant Scandinavian bundle.