Used Volvo V60 Cross Country 2015-2018 review

You certainly won't be left feeling short-changed in terms of performance. Despite weighing almost 60kg more than the standard V60, the Cross Country pulls keenly from just 1400rpm. There's even a hint of torque steer under hard acceleration.

It feels every bit as quick as its 7.2sec claimed 0-62mph sprint time suggests. Such is its urgency, in fact, it's close to falling into the 'wolf in sheep's clothing' category. When pressing on, short-shifting is the way to go, because the D4 is out of puff by 4250rpm - some way short of its 5000rpm redline. Combine the torque and power delivery effectively and it's possible to dispatch slower-moving traffic safely without the need to drop down a gear.

In terms of vibration, the refinement is respectable. However, it's definitely a vocal unit and there's less respite from it than you'll find in some of Volvo's rivals.

Working the six-speed manual transmission is no chore, but neither is it a gearbox with which you particularly look forward to interacting. The throw is slightly longer than you get in rivals such as the Skoda Octavia Scout, but each ratio slots home precisely enough.

The V60 Cross Country is surprisingly composed through bends given its added ride height, and there's little in the way of body lean. It takes potholes in its stride but deep undulations at A-road speeds will bring the extra height to your attention, because the car takes just a fraction longer to settle than the standard V60.

Even in this front-wheel-drive form there's plenty of grip. There's not a great amount of steering feel on offer, but it's precise enough and is consistently weighted.

The cabin looks and feels impressive, with plenty of manual seat and steering wheel adjustment to find an ideal driving position. However, rear head and leg room is less impressive. Six-footers will struggle to get comfortable behind the driver's seat with even an average-sized person at the helm. At 557 litres with the seats up, boot space is respectable if not class-leading.