If you want something different from the average crossover while retaining the same utility – but with better driving manners – there are still a few great station wagons out there. One of those few is the Volvo V60. And if you’re going to venture onto dirt tracks, there’s the V60 Cross Country with a slight increase in ground clearance and standard all-wheel-drive. It’s a little smaller than the V90, and, in our opinion, it’s perfect for a family with two kids and a dog who likes adventure and still wants to have a stylish, comfortable commuter car in the week.

At a starting price of just over $50,500 for the base trim, excluding destination, it’s a little more expensive than the equally sophisticated Audi A4 allroad, but it also competes with the new Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain. The Mercedes may be notably more expensive, but all these wagons exist in the premium bracket, and they all deliver style, comfort, tech, and loads of safety features. But does the V60 Cross Country have some extra special sauce?

Exterior: Understated Sophistication

It’s not often something with an adventure-biased trim level can boast sophistication, but this is a Volvo.Although not a traditional status symbol like BMW or Mercedes, Volvo has made a name for itself as a unique and premium brand, regardless.

In traffic, the Volvo gives the impression of being athletic, but when it pulls up, there is a statement of style and detail with the wagon’s sleek look, the Thor’s Hammer headlights, and Volvo’s signature taillight shape. There’s no aggressive grille, no oversized wheels – just excellent proportions and elegant lines defining the bodywork.

The Cross Country version adds plastic body cladding that, somehow, doesn’t negatively impact its looks, and the slight bump in ride height to 8.1 inches doesn’t detract from its athletic stance.

Interior: Cool Coffee Shop Vibes

There’s always something refreshing about going from any other premium brand car into a Volvo, and it’s the feeling of airiness and understated quality that does it. That doesn’t mean other brands lack quality, but Volvo’s choice of materials always feels like the perfect balance between light and premium without being extravagant. The standard panoramic roof, wood inlays, and top-tier leather feed into this. There’s a clear sense of Scandinavian design at play, and it’s only when you have to use the infotainment screen to change simple HVAC settings that you feel functionality wasn’t fore of thought.

In terms of useable space, there’s no bumping of elbows between a long-limbed driver and front passenger, and there’s legroom for tall adults behind the front seats, along with just enough headroom. As expected, with the V60’s length, there’s generous cargo space in the back that should mean nothing essential is left behind on a family long weekend away.

Powertrain: Perfectly Adequate

There’s only one non-hybrid V60 left, and this is it. The sole powertrain available for the 2024 Volvo V60 Cross Country is a mild-hybrid assisted turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 247 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. These aren’t spectacular numbers compared to the plug-in hybrid V60 we tested, but it’s good for 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds. More importantly, it’s adequate for when you make that wrong turn on a dirt track and end up having to push through mud or pick through some rocky terrain. It’s also consistent power, so overtaking slow toy haulers is a breeze, as is getting up to freeway speed and joining traffic.

All-wheel-drive is standard, and so is a smooth eight-speed transmission that isn’t easily confused at lower speeds on tracks with steep inclines and declines. We have an exact point on a local dirt track around a ranch where even some of the best-rated off-roaders will give a little jolt from the transmission. Delightfully, the Volvo didn’t. We even went back to double-check.

Infotainment: Easy To Use

The portrait-style orientation of the screen is a preference thing, but we find not having to reach across a wider screen pays off, and it works great for navigation. Volvo switched to a Google-based operating system for its infotainment, which is a step up over the previous system. That means the ability to use apps for things like music streaming via the Google Play store and Google Maps as the natural navigation system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, as they should be. The only unfortunate thing is that the bottom of the screen is where the HVAC controls are, and you can often find yourself making two or three touches to make a simple change when an easier-to-find dial or switch would be more convenient.

If music is important to you for more than just background noise while you commute, the upgrade to make on the V60 CC is the Bowers & Wilkins system – this brilliant audio setup is only available on the top-spec Ultimate trim, however. We love the setup; the bass doesn’t overpower, the mids are as clear as the highs, and the overall clarity is excellent.

On And Off the Road: A Lovely Ride

If you want to step out of a car calmer than you got in, Volvo is definitely a brand to consider. In this case, the Cross Country’s ride is lovely for heading into town or swanning about in the countryside. There’s never harshness, and big bumps have the edge taken off before they’re transmitted into the chassis. There is chassis lean when out on a twisting road, but only if you start getting enthusiastic. It’s not a car to drive fast, but there is enough power to get around swiftly and cover miles by freeway quickly. The steering is light but has options to make it heavier, although we think the standard setting is perfect for the car.

For a car labeled Cross Country, the lane keep assist is fussy on a tighter road but generally keeps out of the way until needed. Volvo has focused on advanced safety systems being less invasive going forward.

Neither the V60 nor the V90 Cross Country will tackle any extreme off-roading, but they are built for crossing fields and getting down dirt tracks – although, on the all-season tires, we would be wary of dirt tracks in heavy rain. On dry and dusty dirt tracks, we found it gripped and handled consistently and with a ride quality up there with some more off-road biased trims of crossovers we’ve driven recently. The all-wheel-drive system is the basis of that consistency and kept things nicely in control when reaching sandier areas with less grip.

Verdict: Buttoned-Down And Buttoned-Up

If you’re looking for something to get out into the wilderness, you’ll likely be better served by the new Subaru Outback. You’ll feel better about getting dirt on the inside as well as its off-road performance.

However, if your lifestyle includes at least semi-maintained dirt roads or crossing rolling hills and you want something that looks after you and the family, the V60 Cross Country is absolutely worth a test drive. It’s a lovely way to get around during the week, whether that means school runs or commuting, and for getting away at the weekend and going on adventures – whether that’s some light camping or exploring antique stores. It’s comfortable and roomy, has great cargo space for its footprint, looks good on the road, and is injected with Volvo’s passion for safety. There’s nothing to put us off recommending the V60, whether you want the spicy PHEV or the capable Cross Country.