2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country review

1. A rare combination 

The tall, rugged Cross Country looks the part with high ground clearance and off-road-oriented body styling. While the extra height comes in handy on the trail, it also makes it easier to get in and out of the Cross Country’s squared-off doors. It’s well equipped for mild off-roading, like driving from a paved road to a wilderness campsite or braving a flooded dirt parking lot. It’s also surefooted on slippery surfaces like deep snow and wet pavement. Combined with the roomy wagon body, the Cross Country gives you the best of both worlds. 

2. Better tech integration 

For 2023, Volvo upgraded the V60’s standard infotainment system with deeper integration with Google Search, Apple CarPlay^® and Android Auto^™. Now, the navigation system is Google Maps, and you can sign into your Google account to access your personal information, but it’s not necessary to use the system. Use voice commands via Google Assistant^™. 

3. Two trim levels 

You can choose from the Plus or Ultimate trim levels on the 2023 Cross Country, but remember many features are standard across the line. The driver assist features, luxury appointments, and technology are found in both trims. The Ultimate level adds ventilated seats, an upgraded sound system, and a gear shift lever with a crystal handle. The Climate Package, available on both levels, adds heating functionality on the wiper blades, rear seats, and steering wheel. You can also add stand-alone options to the Plus, such as a power liftgate and premium sound system, to fine-tune the car for your needs. 

4. Advanced driver-assist features 

The Cross Country has an array of standard technology to give warnings and even take action if necessary. For example, you’ll get an alert if a vehicle is in your blind spot while in reverse or during a lane change. Forward collision mitigation has a similar task: to warn you of an impending collision and apply the brakes in some instances. Lane departure mitigation will alert you to a lane departure when a turn signal isn’t used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position. The adaptive cruise control adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front. 

5. Ample storage 

With the general size of a sedan and the utility of an SUV, the V60 Cross Country offers the best of both worlds. The luggage area behind the rear seats has 23.2 cu-ft of storage. With seats folded, you’ll find an ample 50.9 cu-ft of space available. That's plenty for sports gear, a flea market haul, or road trip luggage.