Multitasking Mastered: 2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country [Review]

2015, volvo, v60, cross country
2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country

The 2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country combines the abilities of the V60 and XC60 in one, well-designed package. Volvo engineers took a standard V60 wagon and added the underpinnings (suspension components) of the beefier XC60 along with the fifth generation Haldex all-wheel drive (AWD) system. The 2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country also has unique components that separate it from the rest of the Volvo lineup.

Only one vehicle comes to mind in terms of competition: the Audi Allroad.

Cross-Country-brown-profile
Performance is impressive as the 2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country is equipped with the turbocharged 250 horsepower, 2.5-liter, 5-cylinder that makes 266 lbs-feet of torque way down at 1,800 rpm. All four wheels are fed power through a six-speed automatic transmission. This setup allows for a combined EPA-rated number of 23 mpg.

Volvo fans may note that this power-plant is not new. It’s not. Volvo bolted the 2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country together on a fairly small budget and having access to their new batch of Drive-E Power engines is not in the cards. Fortunately, the 5-cylinder snarls and gives the 2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country plenty of scoot – even off road. We managed to take the 2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country on a sheet of ice, on twisty roads around Lake Tahoe and on to a muddy off-road trail.

Volvo flew us out to Lake Tahoe to test the 2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country, and test it we did. Our model was fitted with nifty goodies including a Volvo-approved dog kennel that mounts in the rear cargo area and only takes up half of the space.

Cross-Country-brown-trunk

Prices start at $41,000, and that includes the aforementioned running-gear, navigation (which comes standard throughout the line) and the extra bits that make the 2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country unique. These items include: black fender extensions, 7.9-inches of ground clearance, skid plates, unique 18-inch wheels, side-sill scuff plates, unique honeycomb grill and black mirror caps. Fully loaded, the 2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country can retail around $50,000.

Internally, there is a unique brown stitching that’s available which matches a color scheme that’s on the IP screen.

Comfort up front is quite good, unless you have excellent posture. The head-rests tend to bump the back of the head if you sit erect. Slouch a bit and you’ll rarely notice it. Just like the regular V60, the 2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country is a small wagon and, as such, has a small 43.8 cubic feet of total cargo space with the seats folded. The back seats are comfortable for two adults, provided the driver and front passenger are not very tall. If so, leg room can be an issue.

Volvo Cars reveals new V60 Cross Country

 

Fit and finish are up there with some of the Germans’ with a beautiful interior design. The only issue for big people might be the “waterfall” center stack. It’s a bit wide and thin. Some people whack the side of their knee against the side of the stack.

Volvo managed to make the 2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country one of the best riding vehicles in their fleet. By combining a higher ride height, (it’s just under three-inches higher than a regular V60) with a beefier suspension, this Volvo has a pleasant ride with good articulation. Still, despite its higher ride height, it’s very composed in the corners. Off-road the 2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country has good clearance for handling fairly deep ruts.

The Haldex 5 system’s ESC can be partially defeated to allow wheel slippage. This was tested on a sheet of ice where we were encouraged to drift. Keep in mind: we were on studded tires, it was still a ridiculously slippery surface and it sent more than one journalist spinning. For many, it was a text-book way to drift with AWD. We caught the ice -driving and off-road hijinks on video.

Given its overall abilities, we are looking forward to plunging the 2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country into the Rocky Mountain snow for a real evaluation.

Stay tuned for many videos of the 2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country!

In the meantime, take a look at the 2013 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD tackling a Rocky Mountain off-road trail.

Easily amused by anything with four wheels, Nathan Adlen reviews vehicles from the cheapest to the most prestigious. Wrecking yards, dealer lots, garages, racetracks, professional automotive testing and automotive journalism - Nathan has experienced a wide range of the automotive spectrum.  His words, good humor and videos are enjoyed worldwide.
Easily amused by anything with four wheels, Nathan Adlen reviews vehicles from the cheapest to the most prestigious. Wrecking yards, dealer lots, garages, racetracks, professional automotive testing and automotive journalism – Nathan has experienced a wide range of the automotive spectrum. His words, good humor and videos are enjoyed worldwide.