The days of the trusty estate are, sadly, numbered. The growing surge of SUVs that give a higher vantage-point but similar boot space and seating for just as many is seeing to that.
Over the past four years, Volvo sold just 22800 wagons (and only 2700 last year) compared to 149,200 SUVs. Granted, the Swedish firm offers more powertrain variety via its SUVs (the XC40 and C40 are currently the only EVs it sells), but it is a desperately bleak trend for the estate.
You do wonder how this can be so, when cars like the Volvo V60 Cross Country exist. The high-riding wagon is, in my opinion, the prettiest estate on sale today, and to echo the words of another tester, the best looking car in Volvo's current stable.
Targeting those looking for SUV capabilities and the go-anywhere lifestyle to match, but with a lower – and therefore more engaging – driving position, the Cross Country definitely still has a role to play.