The 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country
What is a V60? The V60 is a 5 door station wagon, labeled as a compact premium crossover, built in Ghent, Belgium and sold worldwide by Volvo. The V60 is a hybrid wagon with a good sized rear cargo area to carry all your stuff, pets, and grocery’s. Volvo has been building wagons since 1962, and the nice thing about Volvo wagons is that they all have a healthy dose of style, luxury and safety items included as standard equipment.
What is the difference between a Volvo V60 wagon and a Volvo V60 Cross Country? They are almost identical in looks but the Cross Country has more ground clearance. It’s not the most off road ready vehicle you can buy but it will get you through some wet and muddy roads. The V60 and the V60 Cross Country are both mild hybrid models.
And what does B5 mean in Volvo speak? The B5 is an engine code for an efficient turbocharged gasoline engine that has been enhanced by a mild hybrid system to achieve higher MPG’s and lower emissions. B5 power comes from a 2.0L liter turbo charged direct injected 4 cylinder engine, with 247 HP horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, bolted to an 8 speed Geartronic automatic transmission, with automatic stop and start, routed into an AWD all wheel drive system with instant traction control.
The electric side of the power train has a 48V volt hybrid electric motor with 13 horsepower, and it recharges itself with regenerative braking. The fuel economy numbers are 23 MPG city, 30 MPG highway and 26 MPG in combined driving. The greenhouse gas rating is a 5, and the smog rating is a 5, both out of 10. These are all decent numbers for a compact hybrid crossover with AWD all wheel drive and premium luxury appointments.
This week Volvo sent me a 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country B5 Ultimate AWD station wagon to test drive and review. The base window sticker price for this Ultimate model is $54,100. The options on the test wagon are: the climate package for $750, the luggage cover for $345, the metallic paint for $695, the power operated tailgate for $200, the 20″ alloy wheels with all season tires for $3,200 and the Bowers and Wilkins premium audio sound system for $3,200. The MSRP manufactures suggested retail price, including the $1,095 destination charge, is: $63,585.
After adding in the state and local sales tax, plus the DMV and dealers fees, the out the door and in your garage total purchase price came to: $71,533. At just over $71 Grand, this Volvo wagon is near the luxury class threshold of $75,000 and you get all the luxury features and safety upgrades for $1,000’s of dollars less than the direct competition.
As this is a Ultimate edition Volvo wagon they upgraded the standard features to include: ventilated Nappa leather seating surfaces, power front seats with 4 way power lumbar supports with front seat memory, power cushioned front seat extensions, a tailored dashboard, a graphical head up display, a 360 degree surround view camera, a 4 zone automatic climate control, an air purifier, sill scuff plates, a 12 volt charging port in the cargo area, pilot assist with driver assistance control, adaptive cruise control, interior high level illumination, HomeLink garage door openers, power rear door child locks, power folding rear seat headrests, front, side and rear parking assist with collision alerts.
The Climate Package adds in power headlamp cleaners, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The tires and wheels have been upgraded and the sound system now is a Bowers and Wilkins premium sound system with 15 speakers. Load all that equipment into a station wagon and it makes your everyday commute a very pleasant one, with Volvo’s Ultimate style, design and power to make your drive time the nicest it can be.
When you’re ready for a new station wagon, the 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country B5 Ultimate edition should be on your ride and drive list, as it’s one of the best equipped, and best priced, station wagons for sale in the entire compact crossover class.
Call, click or visit your local Volvo dealer for a test drive, and a Bottom Line price review, on the new 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country B5 AWD Station Wagon. And remember that the base price for a new V60 starts at only $48,800. As a brand built on safety, Volvo’s mission statement is simply – For Life.
Be smart, stay safe, and just breathe. Remember, You Are What You Drive, and maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should Drive one, Buy one, Today. Have a great day, take care, and enjoy the ride – Tony the Car Guy.
This Bottom Line new vehicle review is a Nut & Bolt and Dollars & Sense editorial provided by Tony Leopardo. Tony the Car Guy is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to tonyleo@pacbell.net and visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net