Volvo V60 Cross Country 2023 Review

The 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country is priced at $69,490 plus on-road costs in Australia, which on paper reads pretty well for a family-friendly European wagon.

There’s no model walk to speak of, with the petrol-powered Ultimate B5 model driven here the solitary variant in the range.

In fact, the closest thing Volvo offers to a sibling is the Volvo S60 sedan, which is priced at $66,990 plus ORCs – a price we reckon reflects favourably on the wagon.

In terms of competitors, the V60 Cross Country finds itself in a shrinking marketplace.

The Audi A4 Allroad 45 TFSI quattro (from $78,169 plus ORCs) and Volkswagen Passat Alltrack 162TSI Premium (from $63,390) are both logical rivals.

Cast the net a little wider and you could also include the new Subaru Outback Touring XT, priced at $55,990 plus on-road costs.

The 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country more or less mirrors Volvo’s SUV models where standard equipment is concerned.

Out of the box, it gets 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail-lights, four-zone climate control, keyless entry/start, an electric tailgate, cooled glove box, woodgrain inserts and auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

The ‘Cross Country’ part of the equation is reflected by all-wheel drive underpinnings, a 75mm raised ride height, some exterior cladding, hill descent control and an off-road mode which gives it some semblance of off-road capability (which means moderate dirt tracks and driveways, in reality).

Our test car runs an optional $1462 Harman Kardon sound system which, quite frankly, is one of the best in the business – offering up surprisingly strong audio during our week-long loan.

Volvo also deserves praise for offering every paint colour inclusive of the purchase price. Each colour – of which there are nine, including the Thunder Grey metallic adorning our test vehicle – is a no-cost option at the point of sale.

As for servicing, Volvo offers three-year ($1750) and five-year ($3000) servicing plans based on 12-month/15,000km intervals.

All Volvo models are backed by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty in Australia.

It’s as safe as houses, really. Six airbags are fitted standard in the 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country, along with lane departure warning, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, road sign display, driver attention detection and blind spot monitoring, among other advanced driver assistance systems.

There’s also four outward-facing cameras and a 360-degree overhead camera, plus front and rear parking sensors.

The Cross Country does not run an official ANCAP safety rating, but the now-defunct V60 on which it is based did receive a five-star result dating back to 2018.

Such is the commonality between models, the 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country feels just like slipping into a Volvo SUV where tech is concerned.

The 9.0-inch centre touch-screen on the dashboard fascia looks and feels relatively small compared to some contemporaries, and is the sole conduit to all of the V60’s climate control, audio, safety system and other settings, with no physical hard-wired buttons or switchgear.

All told, while the aesthetics of the centre fascia are clean and minimalist, the functionality is harder than it needs to be, with lots of digging through submenus for basic commands.

That said, the centre screen features all the expected technology, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, digital radio, wireless phone charging and satellite navigation.

The B5 version of the 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country employs a four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that is found on numerous other models from the Swedish brand.

The 2.0-litre four-cylinder makes 183kW and 350Nm in this application, sending drive to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Additionally, the four-pot runs a mild-hybrid system comprising a lithium-ion battery which captures energy via regenerative braking, thereby assisting lightly with low-speed driving. However, it is barely perceptible in nature and delivers negligible fuel savings.

Acceleration from 0-100km/h officially takes 6.9sec, according to Volvo, while top speed is limited to 180km/h.

The Volvo V60 Cross Country features a 1.8-tonne towing capacity, opening up the opportunity to tow light camper trailers or hybrid caravans.

Volvo claims a fuel consumption average of 7.4L/100km on the combined (city/highway) test cycle, using the recommended 95RON premium unleaded blend.

We averaged 8.5L/100km in a mix of conditions, including moderate stints on country roads and the highway.

Our bigger gripe is around the way the 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country calculates fuel consumption, or more specifically, fuel range.

The on-board computer’s sample size is arguably too small, meaning the predicted fuel range fluctuates wildly based on immediate driving circumstances.

It means you could pass a service station on a longer journey with seemingly ample range, only for the driving conditions to change and then you’re left in the lurch.

The 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country demonstrates everything that’s great about SUVs, but with dynamics more closely aligned to a traditional station wagon.

The raised ride height endows the Cross Country with additional clearance during everyday scenarios (driveway entrances, car parks and rougher roads), while adeptly controlled suspension means it manages to shirk most unwanted body movements through corners.

It doesn’t quite achieve the ‘commanding’ view many SUV proponents desire, but it is still an approachable vehicle, and one that promotes confidence with its open window lines and armoury of outward-facing cameras.

The V60 Cross Country mostly prioritises comfort over dynamic performance where tuning of its controls is cornered, with light, heavily-assisted steering and a suspension tune that reflects bumps in the road without thudding and crashing.

At 1.8 tonnes in the metal, it’s not a corner-carving wagon – a la BMW M3 Touring – but nor is it designed to be.

By the same token the Cross Country isn’t exactly a mountain-climbing off-roader either. We ventured as far as corrugated dirt roads and tracks during our 1000km duration with the car, during which time it felt surefooted and controlled over such terrain but a little out of its depth when introducing sharper obstacles requiring hefty wheel articulation.

In any case, the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine belies its small size with ample torque down low and a healthy mid-range which makes the most of rounding up other cars before the overtaking lane ends.

There is no apparent turbo lag during moderate acceleration, and the engine works nicely with its eight-speed automatic transmission to provide seamless forward momentum.

At highway speeds, the four-pot spins at a miserly 1500rpm, while in dynamic driving there’s an endearing character to the way the four-cylinder sounds and responds.

If by off-road you mean gravel fire trail or an access road to your favourite mountain biking spot or surf break, then yes, it can.

However, the 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country isn’t to be confused with a mudslinging off-roader, with low-profile road-going tyres and only 203mm of ground clearance.

The on-demand all-wheel drive system responds appropriately in unsealed road settings and provides assurance where needed.

The 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country ticks most boxes where interior presentation, space and practicality is concerned.

The Belgian-built wagon feels really well put together, with consistent panel gaps, genuine timber inlays and soft leather at the contact points.

We’re particularly smitten with the comfort and support of the front seats, which appear slender in design but offer excellent long-journey amenity.

Comparatively, odds and ends storage is middle of the road, with only a solitary open cubby in the centre console, but cavernous door pockets at the ready.

That said, the V60 Cross Country offers a quartet of USB-C points across its cabin.

Moreover, family-friendly proportions occupy the first and second rows, both featuring face-level air vents and adequate legroom and shoulder-room.

The second row offers similar proportions to the XC60: ample space for a couple of adults or a couple of child seats and the integration of sun shades in the door cards.

The caveat is a bulkier transmission tunnel in this instance and the deletion of the XC60’s handy integrated child booster seat.

On the topic of windows, the V60’s glasshouse is open and airy, another feature conducive to little ones.

Boot space isn’t quite as strong if your regular trips involve two or more kids. The 529-litre area is good for a designer pram and bassinette, or a week’s worth of shopping, but not both (unless you’re willing to play some Tetris).

The boot is flat in orientation and features a space-saver spare tyre underneath. A powered tailgate is standard fare, offering easy access to the wide and low-set boot opening.

Another minor gripe is the V60 Cross Country doesn’t have split-folding levers to stow the rear seats from the boot area; you have to do that from the second row.

If you are part of the small minority of Australians who would consider a wagon ahead of an SUV, then yes, the 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country should be at the pointy end of the list.

Although only one variant is available, it represents sound value among the European new-car set, and offers a compelling blend of style, practicality and on-road grace in execution.

Moreover, it’s a refreshing change from the SUV hordes already gracing Aussie roads.

2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country B5 Ultimate at a glance:
Price: $69,490 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 183kW/350Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 168g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested