Volvo V60 Cross Country estate (2018 - ) review

Like-for-like, the V60 costs much the same as its key rival, the Audi A4 Allroad, and also SUV rivals such as the BMW X3. That means it’s far from cheap, but it is exceptionally well equipped. Residual values are expected to be strong, which helps towards competitive contract hire and finance deals. Official fuel economy figures for the diesel model are very competitive. The powerful turbocharged petrol engine is thirsty in isolation, but on a par with rivals for fuel economy and CO2 emissions.

Volvo’s reliability record is generally pretty good. As a brand, it often finishes above rivals such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz in customer satisfaction surveys, while it sits in mid-table in the Warranty Direct Reliability Index. Auto Trader owner reviews of the previous V60 are largely very positive. Warranty cover – at three years or 60,000 miles – is merely average.

The V60 Cross Country is as reassuringly safe as a Volvo estate should be. As well as all the crash protection you’d expect, it goes above and beyond with a range of extremely advanced safety features to help prevent you having a collision in the first place. As standard, you get an automatic braking system that can help to avoid – or mitigate – collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and even large animals. There’s also technology that can automatically use the car’s steering and brakes to help prevent you veering off the road unintentionally, as well as front seats that are specially designed to reduce vertical impact (and therefore spinal injuries) if your car does leave the road, become airborne and land heavily. On top of that is a system that automatically steers the car back into your lane should you drift out of it and an automatic braking function that steps in if it detects that a collision with an oncoming car is imminent. Options include advanced cruise control that steers the car to keep you centred in your lane on the motorway, as well as a blind spot information system that can also help steer you away from oncoming traffic. A rear collision mitigation system that activates the hazard warning lights and pre-tightens the seat belts is also an option.

The V60 Cross Country is sleek and stylish, yet it’s as practical and comfortable as we’ve come to expect from Volvo. The boot is massive and there’s also plenty of cubby space. Headroom and legroom for passengers is very generous, too. A movable floor panel allows you to reconfigure the boot space to suit different loads, while an electrically powered tailgate comes as standard. Seat comfort is another area where Volvo estates have traditionally excelled and the V60 duly delivers, with cushy yet supportive seats that provide excellent long-distance comfort. The central touch-screen that controls most of the functions in the V60 Cross Country is large and fairly easy to use, but getting the hang of the various menus takes a bit of time. The materials and build quality are top-notch throughout and combine with a minimalist design to create a real sense of modern luxury in the cabin. Compared with the standard V60, the Cross Country model has a raised ride height, but it feels much the same to drive. The ride is smooth and comfortable, while the cabin is quiet at speed.

The V60 Cross Country gives you a very high level of equipment for your money. Standard equipment includes LED headlights with an active high-beam function (which automatically dips the lights if it spots other traffic on the road), 18-inch alloy wheels, two-zone climate control, satellite-navigation, a built-in internet connection, front and rear parking sensors, leather trim, keyless entry and electric driver’s seat adjustment. With so much equipment as standard, it’s something of a surprise that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration is a cost option across the range.

The V60 Cross Country is offered with a choice of two engines – one petrol and one diesel. Both come with four-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox as standard, and provide strong, flexible performance. The petrol model is quick, with a 0-60mph acceleration time of just 6.4 seconds. While the diesel model doesn’t accelerate quite as rapidly it’s still impressively responsive, and gives you an extra 200kg braked towing allowance.