What is it?
The last time we got our hands on Volvo’s new V60 Cross Country, we happened to be in the north of Sweden, just south of the Arctic Circle. Not exactly the warmest place on Earth, then; and in late January, with snow and ice covering the frozen roads, and the temperature dropping as low as -30C, it’s not exactly the ideal environment to put a new car through its paces, either.
However, despite the harsh conditions we still had our suspicions that when the jacked-up estate car made its way to the UK, we’d find it to be a refined and impressively comfortable family wagon. Now, on what is an unseasonably warm February day in Suffolk, we’re finally able to put that hypothesis under the microscope.
It’s worth pointing out at this point that the particular strain of V60 Cross Country being examined today is different to the one we encountered out in deepest, darkest Scandinavia. Where that model was the petrol-powered T5 version, this is the £38,270 oil-burning D4 - which is currently the only derivative of the V60 Cross Country available here in Britain. The T5 will arrive at a later date, mind.
That four-cylinder diesel engine develops a modest 189bhp, while a torque figure of 295lb ft - spread from 1750-2500rpm - ensures this most handsome of Volvos isn’t short on pulling power. This is all then boxed up and delivered to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic 'box.
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Add one of their Twin Engines...
... and this is pretty much all the car i'd ever need.
No mention of other rivals
Sundym wrote:
Volvo would probably prefer comparision with an A4 allroad or a 3 series touring X drive, which it is quite competitively priced against. Certainly interiors are right up there now but engines and dynamics? not so sure yet. But certainly a league above those you mention in overall premium-ness... whatever that really is.
Sundym wrote:
I dont think those looking at a V60CC will be looking at a Skoda Octavia or a Passat, and why anyone would want a VAG badged diesel is beyond me.
Trying to impress the curtain twitchers
My point was people don't just look at 1 or 2 other choices , particularly for 'sensible' vehicles like this (they'd buy a 4x4 if it was all about image ) it IS important to mention the other choices , we all know the A4 for example is just a Passat in drag . The folk that buy these vehicles may have looked at Legacy outbacks also or a Superb 4x4 ? I'm one of them , I don't want a 4x4 SUV ... value and driving dynamics are important to me not just what the neighbour's think.
4 Pot 2.0
Volvo 2.0 4 pot is no better or worse than the VAG 2.0 4 pot diesel. But if I was spening nearly £40k I'd want 6 cyclinders otherwise you'll get nothing more than a hum-dum 2.0 pot from a £20k hatchback that's been chipped, effectively.