There is a car testing secret Car Talk can let you in on. Many of the testers who review vehicles have a soft spot for European sport wagons. Testers love this style of vehicle so much that we’d almost call it a cult. During a recent test of Volvo’s outstanding V60 Cross County, we were reminded of this and convinced once more they are onto something.

If driving pleasure is your top priority when shopping and prefer cars to SUVs, then put the Volvo V60 Cross Country at the very top of your list. The V60 is a midsize car (we love to type car for a change) that offers great cargo space, a bit more ground clearance, and all-wheel drive. It’s as if Volvo said, “We know there must be car lovers out there who want more space and better all-weather performance. Let’s make that car.”

We will jump ahead a bit and get the price out of the way. Our 2024 Volvo V60 Cross Country B5 Plus tester had an MSRP plus Destination charge of $51,695. That price is not far off what one will pay for a top-trim Subaru Outback Touring XT. Volvo is offering this wagon at a price point we find very reasonable. The V60 is also offered as a plug-in hybrid-electric wagon, but we will leave that for another review since it is so different and so much more expensive ($74K) than the Cross Country B5.

Subaru’s Outback is a vehicle we are very fond of at Car Talk. The very top trim, with its turbocharged engine and premium features, has a price of $44,140. While we think the Outback Touring is a great car, its turbo engine and CVT lack that spark of fun we want in a vehicle in this price range. They get the job done, but there is no passion. The Volvo V60 Cross Country is a bit more expensive, but it delivers driving pleasure in a way the Outback does not.

Audi still makes a wagon roughly the size and price of the Volvo V60. However, we have not tested it and cannot recommend it. One caution for our readers is that it has a DSG dual-clutch transmission. Not our favorite type of automatic.

The Mazda CX-30 Turbo is not a wagon and it is not as large as the Volvo V60 Cross Country, but it sure scratches the premium driving experience itch the same way. If you have a budget of under $40K and love the Volvo V60 Cross Country, check out the Mazda CX-30 turbo. You may be very surprised at how well its driving experience matches up.

The 2024 Volvo Cross Country only has one powertrain, so that’s easy. There are only two trims of the Volvo Cross Country. The well-equipped “Plus” trim is the starting point with a price of $51,695. With its one package, the Ultimate trim tops out at $57,545. The Ultimate adds a premium sound system, ventilated seats, and 4-zone HVAC.

The table below shows the most common trim levels and how much they will run you.

The Volvo V60 Cross Country is a joy to drive. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine mated to a geared automatic transmission and all-wheel drive is just perfect for this vehicle and its mission. Torque is generous, and it comes on low in the rev band. The engine feels lively, and the transmission shifts are silky smooth. The V60 Cross Country isn’t fast, but it feels quick off the mark and has plenty of power for passing and merging.

Handling is also a strength of the V60 Cross Country. Although it has a bit of extra ground clearance, it certainly holds corners well and never feels tippy. Comfort over rough roads was very good.

The driving enjoyment of the V60 is enhanced by its beautiful interior design. We quite liked the crystal gear shift knob and the luxury feel of its interior materials. The large center infotainment screen was clear and easy to operate. One thing we missed was Android Auto. Volvo is moving to built-in Google, which does not offer all the same functionality of Android Auto. Apple CarPlay is standard.

Volvo made safety a cornerstone of the company long before it was popular. In 2022, IIHS tested the V60 and awarded it the Top Safety Pick + designation. NHTSA had no recent information.

Consumer Reports rates the reliability of the Volvo V60 line at 60/100. In the J.D Power Dependability Study, Volvo ranked below average, just below Subaru, but well above Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

There are really no options available with the V60 line. The Ultimate adds a better audio system and ventilated seats for a whopping $4K more. If you plan to use your V60 Cross Country off pavement or in harsh winter conditions, we would suggest considering a new tire model. The V60 comes with standard all-season touring tires. Fitted with Michelin CrossClimate2 all-weather tires, or a trail tire like the Falken WildPeak, this car would go just about anywhere a well-equipped crossover would.

Volvo covers the V60 Cross Country with a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty. This is a relatively short overall warranty period.

• Basic: 4 years / 50k miles
• Powertrain: 4 years / 50k miles
• Maintenance is included for 3 years / 36K miles
• If buying used, consider our list of best extended warranty providers

Volvos are frequently leased. Our suggestion if shopping used is to look for a V60 Cross Country still covered under the factory warranty or, even better, a certified pre-owned used one with a CPO warranty.

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