Volvo recently unveiled the 2019 Volvo V60 Cross Country wagon, the latest of the V60 variants. Building on more than two decades of all-wheel-drive wagons that began with the 1997 V70 Cross Country, the V60 Cross Country updates the concept with a 2-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, an 8-speed automatic transmission, hill-descent control and an off-road driving mode. With nearly 3 inches more ground clearance than the vanilla V60, the Cross Country version clears the earth’s face by 8.4 in.
Get Connected
Overcoming foul weather and off-pavement capabilities aside, the V60 Cross Country delivers advanced connectivity, as well as driver-assist/safety technologies in a sleek wagon package that will have some crossover owners rethinking their buying decision. Although government fuel-economy numbers are still to be announced, historically AWD cars and wagons post better numbers than crossovers and SUVs. And they are more maneuverable as well. The V60 accommodates up to almost 60 cu-ft. of cargo room with the rear seat folded.
Volvo’s up-market approach to the clean lines of its Scandinavian-influenced cabin hosts a vertically-oriented, tablet-style touchscreen anchoring the instrument panel. Functioning like a smartphone with swipes and pinches, it oversees a variety of system tasks, including the infotainment system with its Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 4G Wi-Fi hotspot.
A Little Assistance
Volvo is making its Pilot Assist system available in the 2019 Volvo V60 Crossover with its driver support for steering, acceleration and braking on well-marked roads. Lane-keep assist, oncoming-lane mitigation and other steering-assistance systems are standard. Able to recognize pedestrians, cyclists and large animals, City Safety with Autobrake that assists the driver in avoiding possible collisions will also be standard.
Pricing and on-sale date are yet to be determined, but the 2019 Volvo V60 Cross Country will probably also be offered through Care by Volvo, Volvo’s subscription-based all-inclusive 24-month lease-like program, including insurance and maintenance.
In keeping with Volvo’s pledge to electrify all of its vehicles by 2019, it will also release hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the V60 in the near future.
