Wagons are versatile. They have the space and versatility of an SUV but often better handling and fuel efficiency. The 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country is a sophisticated luxury wagon with lively driving dynamics that’s loaded with features and tech. Definitely not like the station wagons of the past!
Base Price: $54,100
As Tested: $63,585
Horsepower: 247
Mileage: 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway/26 mpg combined
Of course, Subaru has been making the Outback wagon for years. Volvo, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche are the automakers making luxury wagons for the U.S. market.
The five-passenger V60 gets some updates for 2023 including Volvo’s new Google-based infotainment system, new styling of the front and rear bumpers, and new wheels.
The 2023 V60 comes in two trims: Cross Country and Recharge. The Cross Country has a gas engine and a little more ground clearance. The Recharge is a plug-in hybrid. The Cross Country starts at $48,800 and the Recharge at $70,550. All-wheel drive is standard on both trims.
The V60 Cross Country is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Recharge has a turbo- and supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor with a combined output of 455 horses and 523 pound-feet. Both powertrains are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The V60 Cross Country has enough power for everyday driving situations. Acceleration is decent and there’s enough power for merging and passing at freeway speeds. The eight-speed shifts smoothly and quickly. While it’s not particularly sporty, the Cross Country handles well and drives much like a sedan. The ride is fairly firm so you will notice some bumps and rough roads.
The Cross Country has 8.3-inches of ground clearance, making it suitable for light off-roading.
Fuel efficiency for the V60 Cross Country is about average for a luxury wagon. EPA ratings for my tester are 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway with a combined rating of 26. I got 26 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving.
The cabin is beautiful with top notch materials and a clean design. Seats are comfortable and supportive, even for long drives. There’s plenty of room in both rows for adults. The tablet-like infotainment system dominates the dash.
Standard features include keyless entry, remote start, pushbutton start, rearview camera, , dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, 12-inch digital gauge cluster, infotainment system with nine-inch touchscreen, navigation, 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, wireless device charging, Bluetooth, USB ports, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, rain sensing wipers, automatic high beams, and panoramic moonroof.
Available features include surround-view camera system, head-up display, quad-zone automatic climate control, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, and a 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system.
Standard driver assistance technologies include forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, front and rear collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, pedestrian, cyclist and large animal detection, road-departure mitigation, oncoming lane mitigation, traffic-sign recognition, front and rear parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Available driver assistance technologies include adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and parallel and perpendicular park assist.
The V60 now comes standard with Volvo’s Google-based infotainment system which replaces the old Sensus Connect system. It has a nine-inch touchscreen with a vertical orientation and looks like a tablet. It has Google Maps, Google Assistant and Google Play. This system responds quickly to commands, and the Google-based voice recognition system does an excellent job of interpreting voice commands. However, the system can be challenging to operate. The on-screen icons are small which makes them difficult and often distracting to use while driving. And it takes time to get familiar with how the menus and submenus are laid out. Another peeve is that while there is a volume knob, there aren’t physical controls for most audio and climate settings so you have to go through the touchscreen or use voice commands.
The V60 has decent cargo space for a luxury wagon with 22.9 cubic feet with both rows of seating in place and 60.5 cubes with the second row folded. A power liftgate is standard.
The good:
Versatility of an SUV
Driving dynamics of a sedan
Beautiful, roomy cabin
Loaded with features and tech
Standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
The not-so-good:
Infotainment system could be more user-friendly
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $54,100. The Climate Package is $750 and includes headlamp cleaners, heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel. The luggage cover is $345. The power operated tailgate is $200. 20” seven-spoke wheel kit with all season tires are $3,200. Bowers and Wilkins premium sound system is $3,200. Destination charge is $1,095 bringing the grand total to $63,585.
Bottom line:
The 2023 Volvo V60 is a great blend of an SUV and a sedan in the shape of a wagon. It has the space and versatility of an SUV with the driving dynamics of a sedan. While wagons aren’t top of mind for many drivers, this luxurious wagon is worth checking out.
