Rugged Refinement: The 2025 Volvo V60 Cross Country B5 AWD Delivers Luxury Without The SUV Bloat

There’s something unapologetically cool about choosing a wagon in 2025. In a sea of lookalike crossovers, the Volvo V60 Cross Country B5 AWD doesn’t just buck the trend, it redefines it. It’s the car for those who appreciate a tailored suit over fast fashion, a good scotch over a trendy cocktail, and a road trip without the pretense of off-roading the Mojave.

This year, Volvo’s longroof offering returns with just enough updates to keep it relevant, and just enough charm to remind us why wagons were once the aspirational vehicle of choice for well-traveled drivers.

Scandinavian Simplicity Meets All-Terrain Grit

The first thing you notice is the stance, higher than a standard V60, thanks to an extra 2.4 inches of ground clearance, yet still sleek enough to slip through traffic like a Swedish sports sedan. Our test car, finished in the elegant Crystal White Pearl with Charcoal leather and matte wood inlays, looked equally at home in front of a luxury lodge or a downtown valet stand.

Step inside, and you’re wrapped in a minimalist cocoon. Volvo’s signature clean lines, natural textures, and subtle ambient lighting feel more boutique hotel suite than family hauler. The new Google-based infotainment system, which integrates Google Maps, Assistant, and Play, is intuitive, responsive, and refreshingly devoid of the UX bloat you find in many luxury competitors.

Everything here feels intentional. From the knurled drive selector to the frameless rearview mirror, the cabin exudes a quiet confidence. It’s not flashy, but it is deeply satisfying.

What’s Under the Hood: Power Meets Poise

The Volvo V60 Cross Country B5 AWD comes equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. Power is rated at 247 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, enough to make merging and mountain passes feel effortless. It’s not a rocket ship, but that’s not the point.

The powertrain is smooth, the eight-speed automatic is unobtrusive, and the all-wheel drive system inspires confidence in rain, snow, and gravel alike. Volvo quotes 0–60 mph in the low six-second range, which feels about right. More importantly, it returns a respectable 26 mpg combined, not bad for a premium AWD wagon with real-world capability.

This isn’t a vehicle that begs to be driven hard, but lean into a winding road and it will surprise you. The ride is composed, the steering precise, and the body control excellent, especially considering its added height over the standard V60.

Capability That’s Measured, Not Manufactured

The Cross Country badge isn’t for show. With 8.1 inches of ground clearance, hill descent control, and a dedicated Off-Road drive mode, this wagon is more than capable of handling muddy trailheads, snowy driveways, and unpaved backroads. No, it’s not a Land Rover Defender, but it doesn’t pretend to be.

That authenticity is what makes the V60 Cross Country so appealing. It’s not trying to cosplay as a rock crawler. It’s a luxury wagon with just the right amount of ruggedness, enough to get you to your cabin, your trailhead, your remote photo shoot location, without sacrificing ride comfort or design integrity.

Practical Luxury: A Wagon That Works

Wagons have always been the smart choice for people who actually use their cars. The V60 Cross Country continues that tradition with a generous 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 60.5 with the seats folded flat. It’ll haul skis, bikes, dogs, and furniture with ease, and loading is made even easier thanks to its low lift-over height.

And if you need to tow, you can, up to 2,000 pounds. Enough for a vintage motorcycle trailer or a lightweight teardrop camper.

Rear seat passengers won’t feel like afterthoughts, either. Legroom and headroom are generous, the outboard seats are heated, and there’s a panoramic sunroof that brings light into every corner of the cabin.

No surprise here: Volvo continues to set the benchmark in safety. The Volvo V60 Cross Country comes standard with Pilot Assist (semi-autonomous driving on highways), adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping aid, blind spot monitoring, and Volvo’s proprietary City Safety collision avoidance system.

It also earned top marks from the IIHS and NHTSA, and unlike some competitors, all those features are included, not buried in a $10K package.

Should you buy a Volvo V60 Cross Country?

The 2025 Volvo V60 Cross Country B5 AWD isn’t for everyone, and that’s the point. It’s a wagon for those who appreciate the road less traveled, who value design over flash, and who want something that functions as beautifully as it looks.

In an era where most vehicles scream for attention, the Volvo whispers, and in doing so, earns a different kind of admiration.

2025 Volvo V60 Cross Country B5 AWD