2016 Volvo V60 Cross Country Review
2016 Volvo V60 Cross Country Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Excellent crash scores
- comfortable front seats
- light-duty off-road capability
- low load and roof heights
- smart features for kids and dogs.
Cons
- Disappointing fuel economy and acceleration
- limited rear legroom
- firm ride
- modest cargo capacity.
What’s new
The Volvo V60 Cross Country continues unchanged for 2016.
Edmunds says
The 2016 Volvo V60 Cross Country could make sense as a crossover SUV alternative. But mediocre fuel economy, subpar acceleration and below-average handling dulls its appeal.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2016 Volvo V60 Cross Country T5 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 5cyl Turbo 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.31 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$228/mo for V60 Cross Country T5
V60 Cross Country T5
vs
$176/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
The 2016 Volvo V60 Cross Country would seem to have the ingredients to be one of the most appealing utility vehicles on the market. Here's a stylish, well-equipped and refined wagon that boasts extra ground clearance, a taller view out and tougher styling than the standard V60. Not being an SUV should provide sharper handling and a certain degree of distinctiveness, while the Cross Country's standard all-wheel drive should make it appealing to those in need of foul weather or off-road traction.
The 2016 Volvo V60 Cross Country is an intriguing alternative for those who want the styling and practicality of a wagon and the height of a crossover.
Unfortunately, it's that standard all-wheel-drive system that torpedoes its fuel efficiency and makes the V60 Cross Country difficult to recommend. Or, more accurately, all-wheel drive is tied to a less efficient engine and transmission combination than the newer powertrain available in the front-wheel-drive V60 Drive-E model. We've noticed a difference of at least 6 mpg, while the disparity is little better compared to competing all-wheel-drive wagons. Acceleration is slower than the pack as well, and there are other less desirable attributes, such as subpar handling and braking that result from less-than-grippy tires. Then there are elements shared with the regular V60, such as relatively tight rear legroom and modest cargo capacity.
If you're looking for a wagon and don't need all-wheel drive, we recommend the V60 wagon. Essentially it has most of the things we like about the Cross Country, but without most of the things we do not. If you do need or want all-wheel drive, the top-rated BMW 3 Series wagon is available with it and doesn't come attached to a significant fuel economy penalty (it's even offered with a frugal diesel engine). The Audi Allroad is admittedly only slightly more efficient and is getting on in years, but it, too, comes standard with all-wheel drive and some extra ground clearance. And, if you're not terribly concerned with a luxury badge, an upper trim level of the Subaru Outback delivers greater space and capability. There are also any number of desirable compact SUVs, such as the similarly priced Volvo XC60.
Frankly, it's hard to make a strong case for the 2016 Volvo V60 Cross Country by the numbers, as the handful of alternatives (including those offered by Volvo) are more versatile and efficient overall. Though there is much we love about this characterful little wagon, it's impossible to ignore its foibles.
Performance & mpg
The 2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country is powered exclusively by a turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine that produces 250 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. It sends power to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. In Edmunds testing, a V60 Cross Country accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, which is about a full second slower than the front-wheel-drive V60 Drive-E as well as other wagons and compact SUVs.
Volvo fits the V60 Cross Country with its older 2.5-liter engine and not the latest 2.0-liter "Drive-E" found in the regular V60.
EPA-estimated fuel economy is also below average at 23 mpg combined (20 city/28 highway). It achieved 24.5 mpg on the Edmunds evaluation route, which is significantly worse than the V60 Drive-E, which returned about 30 mpg on the same route. Even the considerably more powerful XC60 T6 Drive-E (a compact SUV) managed 2 mpg better on our evaluation route.
Safety
The 2016 Volvo V60 Cross Country safety features include antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and active front head restraints. The standard Volvo On Call service provides automatic collision reporting, an SOS emergency call button, stolen vehicle locator and remote unlock/lock through a smartphone app. Also standard is Volvo's City Safety forward collision mitigation system, which detects imminent collisions with other cars and can automatically apply the brakes.
The Technology package (standard on Platinum) features an enhanced version of this system that can detect pedestrians and cyclists. Also included in that package are a driver inattention warning system and a lane-departure warning system. The BLIS package adds a blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors. A rearview camera is optional on the Premier trim and standard on the Platinum.
The government has not crash tested any V60, but the mechanically related S60 received a perfect five stars for overall, frontal and side crash protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the regular V60 a Top Safety Pick+ award for earning the top rating of "Good" in each of the IIHS crash tests and achieving a rating of "Superior" for its accident avoidance technologies.
In Edmunds testing, the V60 Cross Country came to a stop from 60 mph in 127 feet, which is longer than average.
Driving
Like the regular V60, the Cross Country is generally a pleasant small wagon to drive. It is smaller and more maneuverable than a compact SUV, yet unlike with the regular V60, you do get a modicum of the elevated view out that SUV drivers enjoy. The Cross Country's elevated ride height also imbues it with the ability to tackle light off-roading challenges such as rutted dirt roads or grassy fields. The extra ground clearance may also be a plus for those who live in places where snow plows are slow to clear the roads.
The steering is nicely weighted and linear in its effort as you turn, but the Cross Country's handling around turns suffers from a lack of tire grip and some body roll. The regular V60 is much sharper to drive. Oddly, the Cross Country also has a surprisingly firm ride along with an elevated amount of vibration that makes its way into the cabin over bumps. Finally, acceleration feels quicker than our instrumented testing would indicate, but the six-speed automatic transmission is a bit dim-witted and the engine itself emits a rather uncouth growl.
Interior
The 2016 Volvo V60 Cross Country features a stylish interior crafted of premium materials. There's definitely some Swedish flair here, and the overall ambience is one of understated luxury. The "Sensus" infotainment system is for the most part user-friendly, with our main quibble being the control knob's location on the dash, as console-mounted knobs tend to be easier for the driver to operate. Some may also find the recessed 7-inch display a bit basic by current standards.
The front seats are some of the most comfortable and supportive you'll find in any car, at any price. It's as if Volvo hired a chiropractor to design them -- they're that good. Shorter occupants may find the fixed headrests positioned too far forward, however. Adults in the rear seats may also wish for more legroom, though kids should fare well enough. Speaking of kids, the available built-in booster seats are remarkably handy for parents and grandparents who need to transport little ones from time to time.
The V60 Cross Country's seats are some of the best on the market. One test-drive and you'll be smitten.
Fold those rear seatbacks down and you'll end up with 43.8 cubic feet of cargo room, a surprisingly modest figure given that the V60 Cross Country isn't exactly a small car. Though this number is smaller than some of its competitors, the flexibility offered by the 40/20/40-split design makes the best use of the space available. The low load floor and the lower roof also make placing bulky, heavy items inside or up top much easier than in an SUV. The cargo area's standard two-position, roll-out dog security net is also a clever feature for those with four-legged friends.
2016 Volvo V60 Cross Country models
The 2016 Volvo V60 Cross Country is a four-door, five-passenger wagon available in Premier and Platinum trim levels. It differs from the standard V60, reviewed separately, with extra ground clearance, different powertrains, standard all-wheel drive and unique styling elements.
Standard equipment on the Premier includes 18-inch wheels, automatic headlights, LED running lights, hill descent control, rear parking sensors, a sunroof, power-folding heated mirrors, roof rails, rear privacy glass, front and rear skid plates, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, eight-way power front seats, driver memory settings, leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a 40/20/40-split rear seat with power-folding headrests and a built-in cargo cover/dog safety divider.
Electronics features include Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a 3G WiFi hotspot, a variety of in-car smartphone apps, Volvo On Call emergency services (detailed in the Safety section), the Volvo Sensus electronics interface, Sensus Connect smartphone apps, a navigation system and an eight-speaker sound system with a CD/DVD player, an auxiliary audio jack, a USB audio interface and satellite radio.
The Convenience package adds a rearview camera and keyless ignition and entry (available as a stand-alone option). The Technology package adds adaptive cruise control and a variety of accident avoidance and driver alert technologies (see Safety section for details).
The Platinum trim includes the Convenience and Technology packages and adds adaptive bi-xenon headlights with washers, auto-dimming mirrors and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system (available as a stand-alone option on the Premier).
The BLIS package adds a blind-spot warning system, rear-cross traffic alert and front and rear parking sensors. The Climate package available on both trims adds an interior air quality system and a multitude of heated items: front and rear seats, steering wheel, windshield and windshield washer nozzles. Power child locks and integrated child booster seats can be added to this package or together as a stand-alone option.
Many of the options, especially those in the Climate package, can be chosen separately when custom-ordering a V60 Cross Country.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2016 Volvo V60 Cross Country.
5 star(30%)
4 star(40%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(30%)
1 star(0%)
10 reviews
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Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Solid, Comfortable, Stylish
dcc305, 05/20/2015
2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country T5 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 5cyl Turbo 6A)
Unique styling drew me in when my S60 lease ended. Cross shopped Audi, BMW; better value and not nearly as common. Drives a bit more "sedate" than S60 but still more sport sedan than luxury SUV. Handles well, brisk acceleration, nice steering feel, tad less agile than S60 but admirably close given the elevated ground clearance/AWD weight. Quiet at speed, relaxing to drive but also fun … and willing when pushed a bit. Sensus system is often criticized, but it makes sense to me and can be controlled from steering wheel, unlike competitors' systems. The keypad that some consider "dated" adds functionality. My S60 was very dependable. I expect mechanically similar V60CC to be the same.
Update 5/18: Turned in at end of lease - would have bought, but buy-out was a bit over book. Really enjoyed this car. Family had issues with tight quarters, but as driver, very comfortable for me (average size male). In 3 years of ownership, 26000 miles, no reliability issues aside from occasional hiccups with the infotainment system which would self-correct when car re-started. I would agree with car review sites that, compared with competitors, Volvos drive a little “busier” - firm suspension, road imperfections come through, but overall car feels very solid and comfortable with better steering weight for my taste compared with Audi, BMW.
5 out of 5 stars
Just what I wanted
Steve, 02/24/2018
2016 Volvo V60 Cross Country T5 Platinum 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 5cyl Turbo 6A)
I wanted a practical car to haul outdoor gear, bikes, kids and a dog. I've recently owned a 2013 Subaru Outback and a 2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. I wanted a car with utility but that was comfortable on long drives and in city traffic. My 2013 Outback is great but I gave it to my daughter and it left me wanting a little better handling. The cargo area is practical but not huge. The … cabin area is not huge but it fits me well. The car has roof rails for a roof rack and the roof height is practical for loading. I really like the way the car rides and drives but it's not a sports car. The thing feels solid and the whole package inspires confidence. AWD, slightly elevated ride height, wagon utility and drives like a premium car. Frosting on the cake: runs on regular unleaded gas.
Update February 2019: I still love my V60 CC. I have not had any problems with the car. My local Volvo dealer closed so I have to drive further for service which is a bummer. I had to make a high speed evasive maneuver on highway 130. The speed limit is is 85 MPH and the wind blew an unsecured traffic barrier into my path. The Volvo was stable and composed and helped me avoid major damage to my car. My only gripe is that the back seats are a bit snug for adults. I recommend the V60 CC. It's a great car.
5 out of 5 stars
V 60 Cross Country wagon is great!
Dr. Don, 03/03/2016
2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country T5 Platinum 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 5cyl Turbo 6A)
75,000 miles and love it more!
UPDATE
60000 miles later, I still love it
FIRST POST
I looked at the Outback, the Audi, the BMW, the Benz, and the Volvo V60 CC. I studied all, test drove them and most importantly checked out cargo area. I spent 6 months researching! The Volvo V 60 CC was the only one which fit my criteria of 1. Total driver seat comfort (like sitting in your favorite … easy chair) 2. Handling (tight steering and a sporty-feel) 3. Able to carry 4 sets of golf clubs without removing any clubs from the bags (Yes, including drivers!). I have two complaints. 1. the backup camera is on the outside of the car and will fog up with rain/snow 2. The tailgate is MANUAL and should be automatic.
The more I drive this car (past year and 1/2) the more I love it! And the dealerships I have worked with are great.
4 out of 5 stars
Very Hard To Beat
Marshall Field, 12/27/2015
2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country T5 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 5cyl Turbo 6A)
Finally decided to get the v60 CC instead of the Benz GLA. It boiled down to comfort and cargo area. Love my choice. Drove 4+ hrs again today and instead of tired from the road, emerged from the car invigorated. Supremely comfortable.
Slight negatives:
"heavy" steering wheel
MPG is only average
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2016 Volvo V60 Cross Country, so we've included reviews for other years of the V60 Cross Country since its last redesign.
2016 V60 Cross Country Highlights
T5
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $41,200 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $228/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 19.7 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | all wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the V60 Cross Country include:
- Back-up camera
- Lane Departure Warning
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
- Pre-collision safety system
- Post-collision safety system
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestGood
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestGood
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
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