Though Crossovers may be growing in popularity, nothing beats a good wagon for style and practicality. Since Cadillac axed their CTS wagon, American drivers are left with few choices for this niche. Luckily, not only does Volvo still build them, but their latest offering is among the best we have encountered. Their latest V60 T6 R-Design was our guest for two weeks, and we were sad to see it leave.
Exterior & Interior
Subtle styling cues in the grille and taillights remind us of the classic Cross-Country wagons of yesteryear. The doors are tall, but the beltline has a gradual drop aimed at the front fenders. This subliminal cue fends off claustrophobia and helps with visibility.
Rolling stock consists of stylish 19” Ixion wheels with high performance summer tires. But why, exactly, would this Wagon need Z-rated rubber? Volvo builds the V60 on Ford’s EUCD platform, which is shared with the Land Rover Evoque. A rugged global AWD chassis, it’s solid and well insulated with a curb weight of only 3,790 pounds.
One of the best interior features was the cargo shade. It covers the entire cargo area and meets the tailgate to block prying eyes from seeing your valuables. The quality of the interior materials is among the best in the world. Everything feels solid and well made.
Drivetrain
The V60 is offered in three trim levels with either a 2.0, 2.5 or 3.0-liter engine. This twin turbo 3.0-liter in our example packed dual cams, both of which had variable timing. Dual exhaust allowed the turbos to awaken instantly and provide an aggressive tone from the tailpipes. In sport mode, the traditional six speed automatic is among the quickest shifting on the market. The instant change in exhaust tone corroborates the change in RPM.
Power
Polestar, Volvo’s in house performance division takes their inspiration from Thor’s hammer. Power is advertised as 325 hp and 354 ft-lbs of torque, but it feels much more powerful. The twin-scroll turbos spool instantly and most of that torque arrives just off idle. Webster defines a “Sleeper” as an unassuming car with insane acceleration, and this Volvo is most certainly the most surprising example we have encountered.
Conclusion
Plenty of room can be found for cargo and kids, and Volvo covers all maintenance for the first three years. Highway gas mileage is advertised at 28 mpg, which is very competitive considering the level of power and AWD drivetrain. City driving is rated at 19 mpg, but this is only possible if you let the turbos sleep and stay out of boost. At $48,0225 you can have a solid and safe inconspicuous cruiser with all the power you will ever need.
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