2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country Review

Name: 2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country Review
Brand: Volvo

Volvo V60 Cross Country T5 Wagon Exterior

+119

Wagons are one of the most underrated vehicles in the U.S., which is unfortunate because Volvo makes a few really good ones, including the V60 Cross Country. The Cross Country variant of the V60 wagon isn't as performance-oriented as the standard V60, but it offers appreciable gains in both on-road comfort and off-road ability thanks to more ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive. If you're looking for a handsome, well-rounded and luxuriously appointed wagon, the V60 is a good place to start.

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2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country Review

byKurt Niebuhr^{Senior Vehicle Test Editor
Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of Edmunds' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.}

Pros

SUV-like utility
Exceptionally comfortable front seats
Sleek Scandinavian design
Taller ground clearance than wagons and some SUVs

Cons

Infotainment isn't as intuitive as rival systems
Only one engine choice
Limited interior storage

What's new

Revised feature availability
Massaging front seats now available
Part of the second V60 Cross Country generation introduced for 2020

Overview

Volvo's station wagons have been a staple of families since the 1980s. And while other manufacturers no longer sell their wagons in the United States (or anywhere else for that matter), Volvo continues to produce some of the most stylish and functional examples you can buy. With its extra ground clearance and plastic body cladding, the V60 Cross Country adds off-road credentials to the already handsome and practical V60. For 2021, Volvo has kept things largely the same for the Cross Country but added an ever-more popular feature of massaging front seats.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country T5 4dr Wagon AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) 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

$207/mo

$176/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

Wagons are rare these days, but there's still some competition for the Cross Country. The A4 Allroad offers similar features and capabilities, while the rugged Subaru Outback can take you farther off the beaten path but with less refinement. Larger wagons are available but can cost considerably more money without being any more adept off the highway. Will the V60 Cross Country hit the sweet spot for your stylish adventures? Read our Expert Rating below to find out more.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Good

7.8

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the V60 Cross Country drive? Driving performance in the V60 Cross Country is entirely middle of the road. Its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine provides sufficient power for daily duty, it handles with confidence, and everything from the brakes to the eight-speed automatic transmission operates relatively smoothly. Nothing is going to impress you when you're behind the wheel, but you likely won't be disappointed either. Simply put, this is just an easy vehicle to tool around in.

On paper, its 7-second 0-60 mph acceleration time and panic-stopping distance of 122 feet are both slightly below average among wagons in the class. We think Volvo's midgrade twin-charged engine would really hit a sweet spot were it still offered.

Comfort

8.5/10

How comfortable is the V60 Cross Country? If you value comfort over performance in your wagon, then the V60 Cross Country is the way to go. Front seat comfort is nothing short of amazing, with highly adjustable and supportive seat cushions, not to mention optional ventilation and massage functions. It also offers more supportive rear seats than competitors. Unlike the standard V60, the Cross Country's extra ride height and suspension travel afford a plush, SUV-like ride, but without the instability of a high center of gravity.

The interior is relatively quiet, though at highway speeds some faint wind noise can be heard around the windshield. When pushed hard, the engine can also emit some coarse sounds. The climate control operates effectively when set to a target temp, but controlling it requires multiple steps all run through the touchscreen. But it does have four zones, a rare luxury in this class.

Interior

8.0/10

How’s the interior? The Cross Country's attractive interior is a model of simple yet elegant Scandinavian design, but there are some drawbacks in terms of operation. Some controls have unconventional icons, and many basic functions require you to use the touchscreen. The infotainment system takes some getting used to but eventually begins to make sense.

The V60 Cross Country provides plenty of room for all passengers and offers the driver a decent range of adjustments, though taller drivers may wish for a little more extension from the steering column. The Volvo's squared-off door openings and slightly elevated ride height make it that much easier to step in and out of. There's also excellent outward visibility, aided by remote-folding rear headrests and an available 360-degree camera, which makes parking a breeze.

Technology

7.5/10

How’s the tech? As infotainment screens have grown over the years, Volvo's 9-inch touchscreen has become a bit less striking. And with some controls buried under multiple menu layers, it's less intuitive than other systems. The absence of physical buttons and knobs means basic operations, like adjusting the climate control system, must be performed via the touchscreen. Volvo has added dual USB-C power ports for the back seat and a wireless phone charger up front. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration systems come standard, but they look small on Volvo's vertically oriented screen.

Volvo's reputation for safety is evident in the advanced safety features, but the forward collision warning and automatic braking have a tendency to be overly sensitive and alarming when they trigger unexpectedly. The Pilot Assist adaptive cruise control works pretty well and can even follow the lane markings as the road curves, but it sometimes rides the driver's side boundary a bit too closely.

Storage

7.5/10

How’s the storage? With the utility of an SUV and the handling and general size of a sedan, the V60 Cross Country offers the best of both worlds. The luggage area behind the rear seats is decently sized at 23.2 cubic feet, though some rivals offer slightly more space. With the seats folded, there's an ample 50.9 cubic feet of storage space available.

The Cross Country, just like the standard V60, has only a modest amount of interior storage for your personal effects. Child seats are easy to install, and there's plenty of space for a rear-facing infant seat even behind 6-foot-tall front occupants.

Fuel Economy

7.0/10

How’s the fuel economy? The Cross Country is slightly less efficient than the standard V60 wagon, due to its higher ride height and slightly heavier curb weight. The EPA rates the Cross Country at 25 mpg combined (22 city/31 highway), 2 mpg below the standard V60's combined estimate. On our 115-mile standardized evaluation loop the Cross Country returned 25.9 mpg, which is slightly lower than what we'd expect since the route is biased toward highway driving.

Value

7.5/10

Is the V60 Cross Country a good value? In terms of pricing, the V60 Cross Country is a bit on the expensive side, especially since Volvo has done away with the more powerful midgrade T6 engine but kept the higher midgrade price. But in return, you get an interior that is beautifully designed with high-quality materials and sturdy construction and plenty of comfort features. It's refined and luxurious, which helps justify the cost.

Warranty duration is about average for the industry and other wagons, but Volvo offers lifetime coverage for all Volvo genuine parts that are installed by an authorized workshop — a nice perk for peace of mind. Free scheduled maintenance is also included for three years.

Wildcard

8.0/10

The V60 Cross Country may not be as glued to the road as the V60, but it retains its nimbleness and brings better ride quality as well as extra ground clearance to the mix. There's potentially more ability for off-road exploration, but if you drive primarily on paved roads, it won't be quite as much fun as the standard V60.

The V60, in any form, is a handsome vehicle, unmistakable for any other brand on the road, and it hits the sweet spot between form and function.

Which V60 Cross Country does Edmunds recommend?

With only one trim level to choose from, it has to be the T5 AWD. To that, we'd add the Advanced package for the advanced driver aids as well as the top-of-the-line Bowers & Wilkins Premium Sound option. We think it's one of the best audio systems around.

2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country models

The 2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country is a variant of the standard V60 wagon but with a higher ride height. Only one trim level is offered: T5 AWD, powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (250 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque). An eight-speed automatic is the only available transmission and all-wheel drive is included. Only three option packages are available along with a smattering of stand-alone options, which include larger wheels, upgraded audio systems and a few luxury items. Highlighted features include:

T5 AWD
Comes well equipped with a fair number of standard features, such as:

18-inch wheels
LED exterior lighting
Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
Panoramic sunroof
Roof rails
Front and rear parking sensors
Keyless entry
Power liftgate
12.3-inch digital instrument panel
Power-adjustable and heated front seats
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
Dual-zone climate control
Leather upholstery
9-inch infotainment touchscreen
10-speaker audio system

Standard advanced driver aids:

Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)
Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)

Option packages:

Advanced package

Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Volvo and the car in front)
Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the V60 Cross Country and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Wireless phone charger

Lounge package

Upgraded leather upholstery
Ventilated front seats with additional adjustments
Four-zone climate control
Power-adjustable passenger seat with memory functions

Climate package

Heated wiper blades
Heated rear seats
Heated steering wheel

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country.

5 (56%)

4 (44%)

3 (0%)

2 (0%)

1 (0%)

4.6

9 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Ready for anything--updated

NorthStar driver, 07/17/2020

2020 Volvo V60 Cross Country T5 4dr Wagon AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

This is my second Volvo and first Cross Country. I learned to drive in a Volvo 245 wagon, so in a way, this is coming home. After years of owning Saabs (sedan and convertible), I switched to Volvo 5 years, picking up an AWD S60. It has been a great commuter car for me, but at times I felt constrained if I wanted to shop at Home Depot or Costco on my way home for work. My wife has … driven the Grand Caravan, then Touareg and now Audi Q5s. The V60 CC is as capable a vehicle as you will find, albeit not as sporty as some. The seats are luxurious, and I never tire of sitting in them for a long drive--or just a quick hop. The three variants of driving experience--Eco, Comfort, and Dynamic provide different settings to suit your mood. Dynamic is my preferred for rush hour, but the vehicle is heavy enough that it really is not a "sport driving" vehicle. A few weeks after receiving the car, I did upgrade to Polestar optimization. This is a chip upgrade that changes the engine and transmission programming. It changed the car into much more of sport sedan feeling (within constraints of the suspension), and is quite worth it if you can afford the approximately $1200 cost. The Polestar optimization does not affect warranty or fuel economy. With the Polestar upgrade, Dynamic mode becomes Polestar mode. Eco setting has best mileage, but has long slow shifts, so save it for when you are not in a hurry--I get over 31 mpg on the highway in Eco mode. The standard Comfort setting, on as default at start, is really a good all purpose driving experience. Comfort is very good in snow and ice. Fit and finish has been excellent. Complaints about little interior storage are valid, but as the usually sole occupant, it is ample. The standard stereo lacks some brightness and low range bass that I enjoyed on the Harmon Kardon system in my S60. If music is really important to your driving experience, I would recommend upgrading the sound system. Amazing safety gear--even automatically avoids collisions if I should start to change lanes and a care has moved into my blind spot. I bought my car in June 2020, when there were many incentives, so the price was quite good with 0% financing. I'm a Costco member, which really helped with the transaction experience and cost. Overall, a great vehicle for dealing with whatever mission you are going on, and wish to be comfortable to boot.

Absolutely love our V60 cross country

Seattle Driver, 08/06/2020

2020 Volvo V60 Cross Country T5 4dr Wagon AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

Spent quite some time looking for small crossovers and wagon alternatives with an edge for safety, technology, and luxury and this car has not disappointed one bit. The Advance package with pilot assist is a joy when driving along the highway and has already saved our butts in crazy Seattle traffic a couple times, definitely worth it. The interior with the cross country pro package is …

Wife Wanted an SUV, I wanted a Sedan

lflorack, 07/07/2020

2020 Volvo V60 Cross Country T5 4dr Wagon AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

My wife wanted an SUV for utility and space. I wanted a sedan for it's better milage and handling - and not wanting to follow the herd to buy an SUV like so many others in the US. Since we had decided to change to a one-vehicle family, we needed to compromise. Then we found the 2020 V60 Cross Country. This car is everything that we both wanted. I never thought I'd be buying a …

A luxurious Outback/SUV alternative

Juhani, 06/04/2020

2020 Volvo V60 Cross Country T5 4dr Wagon AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

The Cross Country is a very satisfying package that feels just right. It is luxurious, comfortable and well made. It is not the fastest with the only available T5 engine, but still fast enough, and faster than the official numbers would have you believe. Handling is better than the SUVs I’ve had (2012 and 2018 Grand Cherokee), but more comfortable than the sports sedans (2015 BMW 335i, …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country, so we've included reviews for other years of the V60 Cross Country since its last redesign.

See all 9 reviews of the Volvo V60 Cross Country

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2021 V60 Cross Country Highlights

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$45,450
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$207/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	23.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the V60 Cross Country models:

Blind Spot Information System (BLIS): Warns if another vehicle is lurking in your blind spot, and cross-traffic alert lets you know if something is approaching as you back out.
City Safety Collision Avoidance: Warns if a collision with a vehicle, pedestrian, cyclist or animal is imminent and applies the brakes if the driver doesn't react in time.
Run-off Road Mitigation: Scans the road to detect if the vehicle may run off the road and automatically tightens the seat belts in preparation.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover5 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover9.9%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country Review

2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country T5 4dr Wagon AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) 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.}

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which V60 Cross Country does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country models

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country.

Trending topics in reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Ready for anything--updated

Absolutely love our V60 cross country

Wife Wanted an SUV, I wanted a Sedan

A luxurious Outback/SUV alternative

2021 V60 Cross Country Highlights

Safety

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2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country Review

2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country T5 4dr Wagon AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) 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.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which V60 Cross Country does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country models

Most helpful consumer reviews

Ready for anything--updated

Absolutely love our V60 cross country

Wife Wanted an SUV, I wanted a Sedan

A luxurious Outback/SUV alternative

2021 V60 Cross Country Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Volvo

Research similar vehicles

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country T5 4dr Wagon AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) 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.}