Volvo V60 (Z) and V60 Cross Country (Z)

Since 2010, Volvo introduced the first-ever V60, which served as the station wagon equivalent of the Volvo S60, one of the safest Volvos introduced in this decade, and by some odd turn, the station wagon equivalent of the S60 received a full model change, leaving its sedan equivalent what might have been. Anyway, while this is basically a full model change, there's something about the all-new V60 range.

2019 Volvo V60

2019 Volvo V60 Cross Country

One look on the all-new Volvo V60 and you'll know that it has the case of "Honey, I shrunk the V90" because the styling of the new V60 looks very similar to its flagship equivalent, the V90, meaning that the Swedish carmaker went through the Russian doll effect like most luxury cars adorned so when you parked this car next alongside the V90, drivers can get easily confused between the two cars after a quick trip to the grocery store. Confusing looks aside, the Volvo V60 comes with two different versions such as the normal V60 and the tough-looking but not-so-tough Cross Country variant with a slightly raised height similar to what jacked-up versions of everyday cars looked like such as the Subaru Outback for example.

2019 Volvo V60 interior

The new V60 sports a typical Volvo interior that has been on every lineup since the XC90 SUV, meaning that you will still be greeted with the big touchscreen on the dashboard that terrifies speedo boys everywhere, the steering wheel, the knob, the high-tech instrumental panel, and so on. Although nothing special about the driver's side because of the uniform Volvo dashboard, it's surprisingly as comfortable as a family car, which isn't so bad for a five-seater station wagon for a change and the boot space wasn't half bad, meaning that you can store as many as you want unless if you're the sort of person who spends the rest of the week buying stuff from the thrift store or jacking up space with loads of gym equipment for no reason at all.

2019 Volvo V60

2019 Volvo V60 Cross Country

On the normal V60, it's been offered with a choice of T5 or T6 petrol engines, D3 or D4 diesel engines (which doesn't make sense in Europe anymore due to anti-diesel issues), and then this; a T8 Twin Engine which combines a 2.0L turbocharged engine with a plug-in hybrid powertrain and an 8-speed automatic gearbox. It's capable of producing 390PS of total power output and can go from 0-100kph in less than five seconds and it is electronically limited to 250kph. Simple as that.

The V60 Cross Country, meanwhile, is only offered with a 190ps 2.0L D4 diesel engine, so if you're European and if you're in tune with the times, better ignore this until Volvo offered cleaner variants of the V60 Cross Country so better cross that out. It's a shame really because I was going to mention about its increased ground clearance, its specially developed Cross Country chassis and suspension, its standard all-wheel drive and its special Off-Road driving mode but because it's offered in diesel only at launch, no way, Jose.

Anyway, because both models running on the Scalable Product Architecture that has been adorned to today's Volvo models since the XC90, the new V60 range always enjoy its new lease in life with its more rigid body, lighter weight, better dimensions, and safety features such as the City Safety with Autobrake technology and the Pilot Assist system. Coupled that with its clever suspension and chassis setups and the result is a station wagon that feels better to drive than the original, although it can be considered to be OK for most drivers. Nothing more, nothing less. It's just an okay sport wagon that it feels so decent to drive from the comfort of your Camellia Homes to Isdaan when you and your mates are having a bit of a food trip.

The V60 range starts at 317,000 Swedish Krona (around $35,450) which is basically reasonable enough for people to own one or if you have a Care by Volvo subscription, you can drive one right away while letting the monthly fees do the talking. So, while the V60 suffers the Russian doll syndrome, the way it performs wasn't so bad for a station wagon of this size and it's a good wagon full-stop.

Photo: Volvo Cars

Volvo S60 Cross Country and V60 Cross Country

2016 Volvo S60 Cross Country

2016 Volvo V60 Cross Country

Following Volvo's rebirth of the Cross Country lineup starting with the V40 Cross Country tall hatchback, looks like the Swedish carmaker decided to give the S60 midsize saloon and the V60 station wagon a more rugged and outdoorsy experience and by judging on its character, it's hard to say if these latest versions are proven to be quite a handful to be lifestyle vehicles targeted for people who want to go out and do leisure stuff on the weekends.

On the contrary, they're nothing but just an S60 and V60 with some fat chunky tires, added ground clearance, and that's about it. There's nothing you can expect that these Cross Country models are made to go anywhere when the elements are thrown at them. The V60 Cross Country isn't so bad, especially it was made for those who can't afford an XC60 crossover, which is usually based on that car. As for the S60 Cross Country, looks like the big tires really spoils the sports saloon's looks. It looks like a ghetto man's donk car going on the alleyways on the evening playing with some rap music on his radio. Ooh, how would the neighbors think when they see one of these?!

Despite their odd appearances, the added ground clearance, the chunky tires, and the ALL WHEEL DRIVE system are all here to keep the car going while facing numerous road conditions like cobbled roads, slippery roads, speed bumps from your local suburbs, loose gravel, and many others. They're not really scary to drive as well especially on elevated roads like the ones you'll face somewhere between Gemini St., Leo St., and Pisces St.

Even though the V60 Cross Country and the S60 Cross Country are relatives, their engine choices are ironically different. In the S60 Cross Country model, the only engine offered is a 2.0L D4 engine producing 190PS of power output while mated with a 6-speed MT or a 8-speed AT. In the V60 Cross Country, on the other hand, it has a smaller 2.0L D3 engine, 2.0L D4 engine, and a 2.0L T5 engine producing 245PS of power. Now that's a lot of power for a station wagon of that size.

The S60 Cross Country starts at 373,200 Kr while the V60 Cross Country starts at 320,000 Kr, which is cheaper to buy than the saloon counterpart! How's that possible? No one really knows but either way, both the S60 Cross Country and the V60 Cross Country are well-targeted niches targeted for the lifestyle enthusiasts who prefer to go outdoors. Yes, they may not be as tough or rugged as any other SUVs know and they're big and horrible, but these cars aren't just cars. They're lifestyles in their own rights.

Photo: Volvo Cars

Volvo V40 Cross Country

2013 Volvo V40 Cross Country

Okay, this isn't what it exactly meant to be but why would Volvo brought back the "Cross Country" name for this sport utility wagon version of the V40 instead of another XC like the XC70, XC60, and the XC90? Don't blame me, blame Volvo why did they resurrect the Cross Country moniker. Some say that the terms XC and Cross Country are synonyms but Volvo said they're not. What's the difference? Volvo says that XC models have a distinct crossover character with unique body-styles including an elevated seating position, while the Cross Country models are expressive all-road versions of our dynamic wagons and hatchbacks. Huh? Wait a minute...Never mind about that whole conundrum set up by Volvo because you know why? I just don't get it.

Anyway, this new version is 40mm higher than the standard V40 and with such height increase comes with some added looks such as retaining the same rim sizes from the original, contrasting bumper, honeycomb mesh grille, upright DRL-lights, sculpted sills, and the contrasting rear bumper with integrated skid plate. It maybe just the same V40 look with some cosmetically enhanced toughness but overall, the XC err... Cross Country version tries to be a tough one even though in this such size as a hatchback.

For a car like this, the V40 Cross Country is kinda targeted for the outdoorsy type of person, someone who loves to go out for the great outdoors such as the mountains, the forest, the falls, or whatever nature made for us. Thinking about it, if you were going out BMX-ing, fishing, hunting deers, fortune hunting, or something what an adventure lover really want to, seems that this is the kind of Volvo for them if they can't afford on the XC models.

I was just wondering, in such cars like this, I am becoming more of a half-businessman, half-adventurer, meaning that there's all work, all play for me, meaning that I can use it to go to the office for work, or use it while going out for my leisure trip such as going for a game of basketball, or billiards, or boxing, or a dance-off by night, or anything that kills my boredom amidst the stringent schedule done by the times. Here in the V40 Cross Country, this is possible for me. I think it's better to drive and better to have one than the Subaru XV but don't think of ever getting one of these because in terms of pricing, it's much more expensive than the Subaru XV. Despite pricing, the V40 Cross Country has more features than the Subaru XV and also, they both have the same safety features especially the one that automatically brakes in the near-collision scenario.

Unlike the XV, which only comes with a 2.0L petrol engine, the V40 Cross Country do come with a host of petrol and diesel engines such as the 115PS D2, 150PS D3, 177PS D4, 180PS T4, and the 254PS T5 (the most powerful in the lineup). The T5 model of the V40 Cross Country comes with all wheel drive with class leading driving dynamics so you can go anywhere no matter what, even in the rain. Sounds reasonable and the Powershift transmission, available on the T4 model, is just another double-clutch goodness for this car. This is much better than the "Taters Donna Tate" CVT stuff in the XV.

It maybe cost more than the Subaru XV but the V40 Cross Country is just one of the examples that a Swedish-based carmaker can think of, despite the fact that it was made by Belgians in Ghent. It maybe more expensive than the XV but with all of the features loaded, this is much more of a premium blend. It's like Nescafe premium blend best served hot in a nice coffee table made out of wood.