With a brand new engine, raised suspension, and voice management help options, the Volvo V60 Cross Nation is in high type on highway and off.
The rise of the crossover may need practically killed the station wagon, however not all automakers are letting the sensible long-hatch die.
Volvo is a wagon diehard and is working to maintain and seize patrons with fashions like this 2023 V60 Cross Nation. It’s a wagon with a bit extra floor clearance and a few added safety in case you’re planning on taking it down gravel roads or filth trails.
We received to drive the 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Nation as a part of AJAC’s TestFest 2023. TestFest is a serious automotive occasion the place many of the 12 months’s new and altered fashions are introduced collectively. It’s just like our ordinary first drives, however with the prospect to drive a car and its opponents on the similar time.
Held every fall, the occasion is crammed with mud, leaves, rain, and a variety of driving and highway situations which might be powerful to search out anyplace else.
Delicate Enhancements for 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Nation
Volvo up to date the 2023 V60 CC, however the seen adjustments are small. The grille adjustments are so slight it’s a must to park aspect by aspect with the previous one to make sure. And there may be some much more refined rear bumper massaging. Below the pores and skin, the adjustments are extra important.
A number of years again, Volvo promised that it could be accelerating its transfer towards electrification. A giant step in that plan was giving each certainly one of its fashions that wasn’t already an EV a hybrid driveline as customary.
For 2023, Volvo has achieved that. The hybrid model of the V60 Cross Nation is now the one V60 CC. Badged B5 on the tailgate, that is the one we drove.
The Volvo V60 Cross Nation B5 is a gentle hybrid. Very delicate, with a 48V built-in starter generator that lets the fuel engine flip off extra usually in metropolis driving. The engine continues to be a 2.0L four-cylinder with a turbocharger, a variant of the engine Volvo makes use of in virtually all the pieces it presents.
Much less Energy, Higher Gasoline Financial system
One of many lower-powered variations of the Volvo engine household, the B5 delivers 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. That energy determine is three horses fewer than final 12 months, although you received’t discover the distinction.
You’re extra more likely to discover the only additional mile per gallon within the metropolis. Gasoline economic system is rated at 23 metropolis, 30 freeway, and 26 mixed mpg.
The engine is quiet and easy if you’re cruising on the freeway or accelerating with site visitors on the town. Ask for extra energy and also you’ll get loads of it, however you’re additionally going to get numerous noise.
Use the throttle and the engine turns into virtually diesel-like in how a lot it rattles. At the very least the V60 is fast sufficient that you simply received’t want to make use of all these ponies for lengthy.
Volvo Wagons Have a Lengthy Historical past of Hauling A lot
A station wagon is about cargo carrying, and the V60 Cross Nation does that nicely. With 22.9 cubic toes of storage behind the second row, it beats out equally sized crossovers like Volvo’s personal XC60, even when it’s only bigger by a few cubes.
The lengthy and large cargo space has a low lift-in peak, too. Decrease than most crossovers. The low peak makes it simpler to load and unload heavy or awkward cargo.
With the seats folded, the V60 Cross Nation holds 60.5 cubic toes of substances, which is consistent with crossovers on this class. It is a massive area. Until you’re loading to the headliner, you’re unlikely going to note the distinction versus the competitors.
Volvo contains some intelligent touches like cargo D-ring tie-downs, a small rear-seat pass-through, and loads of optionally available equipment to make the very best use of the area.
2023 V60 Cabin Is Heat & Inviting
Volvo has been hitting it out of the park with its inside designs recently, and this V60 CC is not any completely different. In some way, the corporate engineers are placing collectively an area that’s easy and shockingly complicated; spartan but heat and welcoming. Sure, these are contradictions, however like Swedish residence furnishings, the balanced proportions and comfortable strains mix to create a standout within the section.
Particulars just like the twist-control begin swap and the Orrefors crystal gear selector stand out, letting the out there driftwood decor mix in. This tester had buttery amber Nappa leather-based with a wooden end that Volvo calls “linear lime” that pops brilliantly, making this automobile really feel severely premium.
The steering wheel just isn’t leather-based, although it appears and feels it. Volvo is working to maneuver away from hides to extend sustainability with adjustments like this one. The automaker can be providing tweed-like textile seats as an possibility as an alternative of our check automobile’s conventional leather-based.
Past wanting good, the cabin is a snug place to be. Volvo’s seats are pleasantly agency and are adjustable in sufficient ways in which practically anyone ought to have the ability to discover their proper setting. Steering wheel controls are simple and so is the brand new infotainment interface, which makes the expertise extra stress-free.
Android Working System Enhances In-Automotive Tech
Volvo went to Google to design its new multimedia system, so for Android customers, the automobile ought to be instantly acquainted. Even for Apple iPhone customers, studying the system ought to be fast, because of the intuitive UI.
One enormous perk of the system is the “Hey, Google” voice assistant management. This provides pure speech recognition and the power to regulate car settings together with temperature and fan velocity. These management options make this V60 a step above the essential features provided in most new vehicles.
Local weather controls keep on the backside of the tall 12.3-inch display always, in case you’re not prepared to maneuver to voice controls. I usually want actual buttons, however there’s a bodily quantity dial together with another quick-access buttons to steadiness the tradeoff between aesthetics and performance.
Cross Nation Means Extra Floor Clearance
The variations between a V60 Cross Nation and a typical V60 are within the bodywork and the suspension. All-wheel drive is customary on each, however Cross Nation presents a raised suspension.
It has 2.4 inches extra floor clearance for a complete of 8 inches, which improves strategy and breakover angles and lets the Cross Nation drive by means of deeper water. This isn’t sufficient to make it an off-roader by any stretch, nevertheless it does have loads of functionality for rougher filth roads and trails.
Including additional suspension peak lets the Cross Nation’s physique roll greater than the usual V60 in corners, however it’s nonetheless well-controlled. In change for that roll, you get a experience that’s extra compliant and, in flip, extra snug on tough pavement and unpaved roads.
Volvo’s bodywork adjustments are largely for the sake of look. Sure, the naked plastic wheel arches and bumper strips may have the ability to take some gentle path particles with out stripping paint, however they’ll nonetheless get scratched.
The automobile additionally has loads of shiny paint instantly across the plastic. Nonetheless, this look is what crossover patrons need; so, if the cladding helps maintain another wagon on the highway, it’s a superb factor.
Misses Out on V60 Plug-In Energy
What the Cross Nation doesn’t supply that the usual V60 does is a plug-in powertrain. Whereas the CC will get that B5 delicate hybrid, the common V60 will get Volvo’s Recharge PHEV driveline.
That plug-in means 455 horsepower and 41 miles of EV vary. Nevertheless, the V60 Recharge begins from round $20,000 greater than the $49,000 Cross Nation — $58,195 as examined — making it an expensive powertrain.
Volvo presents the V60 CC in Plus trim or Final. In typical Volvo fashion, each are loaded up with driver help tech. Normal gear contains adaptive cruise, blind spot and cross-traffic alerts, parking sensors, in-dash highway signal show, a lane-keeping help, and Volvo’s Pilot Help freeway driving assistant.
Final provides consolation options like Harman Kardon audio, entrance seat air flow, and a head-up show to the already excessive stage of package within the Plus grade.
2023 Volvo V60 Cross Nation Evaluation: Abstract
The purpose of a crossover is to ship SUV-like utility with car-like experience and dealing with. That definition makes this Cross Nation type of a crossover once more, making an attempt to bridge the already small hole between crossover and wagon.
Ignore the labels and also you’ll discover a car with a great deal of cargo area, rough-road functionality, and driving dynamics. Importantly, this additionally contains visibility. All of those are attributes you’ll battle to match in a extra standard crossover or SUV.
With the V60 Cross Nation, Volvo has created a candy spot, and this wagon is simply that — a candy spot to be on the pavement or off. For extra, head to Volvo Vehicles USA.
