Volvo said the Geneva model will be a "virtually production-ready" car with CO2 emissions of 49 grams per kilometer, which translates into fuel consumption of 1.9 liters per 100km (124 U.S mpg, 149 UK mpg).

Sadly though, the the V60 PHEV isn’t due to come to the U.S. Volvo claims there isn’t enough interest yet in diesels in the U.S. to justify bringing the V60 PHEV to the U.S. market.

The new Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar are here, set for sale on four continents around the world in 2014. The countries set for the S60 and V60 Polestar include Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the USA, with further markets and final production numbers to be revealed next year.

”We are proud to present the S60 and V60 Polestar. A car developed for those who share our passion at Polestar: That driving really matters and that a true driver’s car should enable you to enjoy driving all year, on all roads and in all weather conditions. This is a driver’s car for real life,” said Christian Dahl, CEO of Polestar.

“With the introduction of the V60 model, we are proud to continue the heritage of fast Volvo estates like the racing 850 BTCC, a tradition deeply rooted among Volvo enthusiasts,” continued Christian Dahl, CEO of Polestar.
”Our motorsport co-operation with Polestar has been going on for almost two decades and it is rewarding to see how Polestar can use their experiences from motorsport to engineer such an exciting and competent car,” said Derek Crabb, Motorsport Director at Volvo Car Group (Volvo Cars).

“It is very satisfying to see how Polestar have been able to combine this level of driving performance in their interpretation of the S60 and V60 with maintained original service program, class leading safety features and certified fuel- and emission ratings. Customers buying this car will get the best from both Polestar and Volvo,” said Alain Visser, Senior Vice President Marketing, Sales & Customer Service at Volvo Cars.

All-year performance

The car is based on the latest generation Volvo S/V60 and marks the start of an extended Polestar production model range. Development of the car has been ongoing over the past years, picking up from the C30 and S60 Concept cars and the Australian S60 Polestar. Thousands of development kilometres have been driven on twisty mountain roads, on the Autobahn and test tracks from the south of Europe to the frozen north of Sweden.

”We have continued our work to create a true driver’s car which is not limited only to a few specific driving conditions, but enjoyable on everything from your favourite winding roads to taking the family for a long journey, no matter summer or winter. And in my view, we have gotten very close to our goals, something that of course is best experienced first-hand behind the wheel,” said Robert Dahlgren, Polestar racing and test driver.

Chassis

Upgrades include modifications made to increase rigidity of the chassis to cater for the 80% stiffer springs relative to the standard S60 R-Design. These changes combined with the tailored high performance Öhlins shock absorbers and 20” Polestar wheels results in a precise, yet comfortable, driving experience.

Brakes

The brake system has undergone substantial modifications. Most visible are the 371 millimetre ventilated front discs and six-piston Brembo calipers, guaranteeing a high level of braking performance.

Aerodynamics

To reflect the increased performance of the S/V60 Polestar, positive aerodynamic effects have been achieved through subtle, yet efficient, modifications based on data from tests in the Volvo Cars wind tunnel. The changes are visible with the front splitters, optimising the airflow underneath the car, as well as a new rear spoiler and diffusor, increasing downforce.

Engine

The six-cylinder turbo-charged T6 engine has undergone extensive development with a new twin-scroll turbo and intercooler to produce 350 HP/257 kW at 5700 rpm and 500 Nm/369 lb-ft already at 2800 rpm. The engine breathes through a 2.5” stainless steel exhaust system, making for a throaty engine note.

Transmission

The six-speed automatic gearbox features a new paddle shift system that together with the Polestar developed Haldex four-wheel drive system takes the car from 0-100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds and to a limited top speed of 250 km/h. The gearbox as well as the four-wheel drive system and traction control system has been recalibrated in order to provide an active driving experience and maximum grip in all situations.

Interior

The interior has been reworked with new details, materials and Polestar colours, such as the steering wheel, seats and more, with the sole purpose of increasing driver support and control.

”All in all we have taken a major step forward in all areas, from chassis and engine to interior and exterior details. Development work has been focused on the overall package in order to create a car that you want to use every day, both from a practical and emotional perspective,” said Henrik Fries, S/V60 Polestar Technical Project Manager.

Sales and delivery

Polestar will begin delivery of the new S60 and V60 Polestar in June 2014 to the local markets.

“We are all very excited and proud over our launch of two new cars as yet another step towards a range of Polestar Engineered Volvo cars available for people like us around the world. To do it together with Volvo, one of the world’s leading car manufacturers, is greatly satisfying and we look forward to an exciting future,” said Christian Dahl, CEO of Polestar.

It wasn’t long ago that the term “hybrid” was associated purely with economy and saving the earth. However, thanks to the introduction of a new breed of hybrid supercars from the world’s leading performance manufacturers, the term is no longer taboo in performance circles. Now, Volvo tuner Polestar has announced a performance upgrade for the Swedish automaker’s V60 Plug-In Hybrid sold overseas, and it's a preview of the future of automotive tuning.

The V60's available plug-in hybrid system features a turbocharged five-cylinder diesel engine that’s used to spin the front wheels and an electric motor at the rear axle, creating a through-the-road hybrid setup. Normally it produces 283 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque, but thanks to some tinkering with the engine’s ECU Polestar’s version produces 298 horsepower and 494 pound-feet of torque.

This makes it the most potent diesel-powered Volvo yet. Polestar says the vehiclewill now accelerate from 0-62 mph in just 6.0 seconds but the fuel economy is unchanged at 130 mpg (based on European combined cycle testing for plug-in hybrids).

At present, the upgrade is available in Sweden, the Netherlands and the U.K. only. For readers in those markets, the upgrade is installed by the dealer and retains the car’s original warranty.

With Volvo’s future cars, starting with the next-generation XC90, set to feature hybrid powertrains for their most powerful variants, it’s likely we’ll see Polestar offering more upgrades for hybrid vehicles in the future, something its marketing boss Hans Bååth says is an area to watch.

”The Polestar optimization for the V60 [Plug-In Hybrid] combines a strong fuel economy with performance,” Bååth said. “We are happy to be able to offer the Volvo customers with more driving pleasure in combination with the latest hybrid technology, a very interesting area for the future."

Volvo just debuted its all-new midsize wagon, the 2019 Volvo V60, and yes, it’s as pretty as we suspected. But more importantly, it offers a 390 horsepower plug-in hybrid powertrain—you know, in case you want to hoon sensibly.I’m in Stockholm, Sweden, where Volvo is debuting its V60 mid-size wagon in the driveway of a suburban home (the car’s “natural habitat,” Volvo admits). While I haven’t yet seen the car in person, the official press pictures show a beautiful V90-esque profile with “Thor’s Hammer” headlights, an aggressive lower fascia, and an elegant, low-slung side profile.
Like the XC90, XC60, S90, V90 and V90 Cross Country, the V60 will be built on the company’s Scalable Product Architecture, and will offer a number of common powertrains including a powerful T8 “Twin-Engine” plug-in hybrid.

That T8 hybrid powertrain is similar to the one found in the XC90, S60 and XC60 sold stateside. In those applications, the front wheels are driven by a 313 horsepower supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four, which has an Integrated Starter Generator sandwiched between it and an eight-speed automatic (the ISG charges the battery and cranks the engine during start-stop events). In the new V60, this setup is largely the same, except power output drops 10 HP to 303.

The rear wheels, like in Volvo’s other T8 offerings, get power from a 65 kW electric motor mounted to the axle. This, combined with the twin-charged engine up front, yields an overall output of 390 HP (versus 400 in other applications).

Also available on the new V60 will be a 340 HP T6 Twin Engine AWD plug-in hybrid, a 310 HP T6 AWD gas option, a 150 HP front-drive D3 diesel and a 190 HP front-drive D4. A regular front-wheel drive T5 gas option will also be an option, though Volvo doesn’t mention output (for reference, in other Volvo products, the T5 makes roughly 250 HP).

The company hasn’t made it clear exactly which of the hybrid powertrains will come to the U.S. (we know the T5 and T6 gas cars will be coming, but the diesels—which are the only powertrains to offer a manual trans—will not), though Volvo’s spokesperson tells me he’s doubtful it will be the T8. (We’ll update this story when we find out).

Volvo Of course, with this being Volvo, the press release mentions a number of standard safety features common with those found in the XC60 and the 90 Series, including City Safety (which can recognize cyclists, pedestrians and animals and now actually apply the brakes to avoid a crash), Pilot Assist (which helps with steering, acceleration and braking on “well-marked roads” up to about 81 mph), Run-off Road Mitigation (which helps the car stay in the lane) and Oncoming Lane Mitigation (which prevents crashes with cars in the oncoming lane).

The new V60, and especially this whole “Welcome To Suburbia”-themed event is definitely very Volvo. But that’s not a bad thing. With a 390 horsepower engine in a relatively small package (it still weighs 4,600 pounds all loaded up—not light, but still less than the XC90 that shares essentially the same top powertrain), the V60 has the potential to be a lot of fun. Hopefully Volvo gets back to me with good news; Americans need a 390 HP mid-size wagon in their lives. Everyone does.

Volvo is sending the V60 wagon to North America even though it knows sales will only amount to a tiny fraction of those of the XC60 SUV. The fact that the V60 will make negligible impact on Volvo Car USA’s bottom line is of little importance, however: The V60 is coming to keep the faith. Although the wagon is increasingly seen as a niche product as SUVs and crossovers continue their march to global domination, it’s a vehicle that still defines the essence of the Volvo brand. Volvo without a wagon would be like Ferrari without red paint.

The new V60 is being pitched as the successor to the V70, the best-selling wagon in Volvo’s history, filling the space left by the V90’s move upmarket. The V60 shares much with its larger sibling. It’s built on Volvo’s highly flexible SPA architecture and has the same broad-shouldered stance and studied elegance. Sharp creases that gently arc over the rear wheels, and a greenhouse graphic that rises toward the D-pillar, as subtly playful as the red stitching around the buttonhole on a Savile Row jacket, are fraternal echoes of design elements from the XC60.

The 2019 V60 is 4.9 inches longer and 2.0 inches lower than the outgoing model. The wheelbase has grown 3.8 inches, though a lot of that has gone to deliver the exaggerated dash-to-axle dimension that’s become part of modern Volvo design DNA. But those extra inches have delivered substance as well as style: Volvo claims a 20 percent increase in load space over the previous V60, as well as the roomiest rear seat in the class. We can’t vouch for the load space, but we can confirm that a 6-foot passenger has no problem sitting behind a 6-foot driver.

The V60’s interior follows the design cues that were established with the S90 and have since cascaded through successive new Volvos. And there’s nothing wrong with that: The V60’s cabin looks elegant and upscale, more inviting than that of a BMW 3 Series, less clinical than an Audi A4’s.

The V60 will launch with the choice of two powertrains: T5, with the 250-hp turbocharged version of Volvo’s ubiquitous 2.0-liter four-banger driving the front wheels; and T6, with the 316-hp turbo- and supercharged version of the engine and all-wheel drive. Transmission for both is an eight-speed automatic. Volvo claims 28 mpg combined for the T5 powertrain, and 25 mpg for the T6. The T5-powered V60 will hit 60 mph in 6.4 seconds and reach a max of 140 mph; the T6 version is almost a second quicker to 60 and will top out at 155 mph.

Volvo will offer two trim levels at launch: Momentum and Inscription. The latter offers cosmetic upgrades such as driftwood inlays inside and standard 18-inch alloy wheels, as well as enhanced equipment such as a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and Harmon Kardon premium audio. Leather is standard on both, but the Momentum-spec V60 can also be ordered with chic plaid cloth seats.

The infotainment system—Sensus Connect, in Volvo-speak—has been given a 50 percent increase in processor speed. This means reduced startup time, faster access to the backup camera, better voice control, and quicker route recalculation by the satnav. Sensus Connect accommodates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, among other third-party apps (and none takes over the entire display), so satnav is an option. When fitted, the Volvo nav software enables the cruise control to access mapping data and adjust speeds through corners where appropriate.

As expected, the V60 comes standard with an armory of Volvo automated safety technology, including steering, braking, and lane-keeping assist functions to help drivers stay on the road and out of harm’s way. The V60 also debuts Volvo’s new Oncoming Braking function, a safety system of last resort that, should the car sense a head-on collision is inevitable, automatically activates maximum braking. The system goes into action two-tenths of a second before impact and can reduce vehicle speed by 6 mph. That doesn’t sound like much, but the resulting reduction in crash force can be significant, potentially life-saving.

The V60 is no 3 Series wagon. That much is clear from the first few corners. It’s a much more relaxed car than the BMW, happy and comfortable at seven-tenths driving through the twisties. It doesn’t exactly fall apart dynamically when you press harder; it just never quite flows down the road with the composure you’d expect. The front end is aloof; it goes through the motions but never clearly communicates what’s happening where the rubber hits the road. And the surly response from the transmission, even when nudged between ratios via the central shifter (there are no paddles on the steering wheel), means you never quite have the power you want precisely when you want it.

Volvo offers four drive modes—Eco, Comfort, Dynamic, and Individual—and not all are worth the electrons. Dynamic makes the steering feel more wooden and busies the ride slightly without any noticeable improvement in, er… the dynamics. The V60 does its best work left in Comfort, which is precisely where most owners will leave it. The ride is excellent, and suspension NVH well suppressed; smooth and quiet, the V60 might be a midsize Volvo wagon, but it has the decorum of a limousine. And that’s precisely what makes it a genuine alternative to the 3 Series wagon.

Though a niche product, Volvo will add to the V60 lineup through 2020. An R Design version will offer 18-inch alloy wheels as well as paddle shifters and unique interior and exterior graphics, plus the same tech and multimedia features as the Inscription. The 400-hp hybrid T8 powertrain is also slated for launch, and a V60 Cross Country, with jacked-up ride height and all-road capability, is coming to take on Audi’s A4 Allroad.

The first U.S.-spec V60s will roll off the line late this year, with cars arriving in the first quarter of 2019. No prices have been announced yet, but Volvo has revealed that the V60 will be available under the Care by Volvo subscription scheme that debuted with the XC40 crossover. Essentially a simplified lease deal, Care by Volvo will allow consumers to choose one of two specifications of the V60—along with their choice of exterior and interior colors—and drive the car for one or two years for a single monthly payment that covers maintenance, consumables such as wipers and tires, roadside assistance, 24-hour concierge, and insurance. Nothing down, drive away.

The redesigned Volvo V60 makes a compelling case as an urbane yet practical premium vehicle for those who don’t want to follow the herd. It may not be the ultimate driving machine, but it handles better and uses less fuel than many high-riding SUVs or crossovers, while offering a similarly configurable and capacious interior. And with available all-wheel drive, it’s only marginally less capable on all roads in all weather. But the Volvo faithful know all that.

I love the way the 2019 Volvo V60 layers luxury car fanciness with station wagon usefulness. It might look a little faster than it is, but what the V60 lacks in sheer adrenaline it makes up for in versatility, comfort and safety. Long live the longroofs.

When it comes to family cars, utility is in. It always has been, in one form or another. Everybody had minivans, but those weren’t cool enough so people started flocking to three-row SUVs. But people didn’t want to ride in trucks and get single-digit fuel economy, so the crossovers came to power.

Now people are starting to return to the idea that luxury sedans weren’t such a bad idea after all. Just make the roof a little longer, and voilà–or varsågod as the Swedes might say–wagons are back, baby. Today you can buy a wagon from Buick(!), Audi, Mercedes and BMW of course, and even Porsche and Jaguar.

What’s remarkable about Volvo is its sheer commitment to the wagon cause in the U.S., despite not selling all that many of the current V60 here—only 4,360 in 2017, according to Volvo. But the new V60, available early next year, might help things. It’s a damn good car!

What Is It?

This is the second generation of the V60, which Volvo introduced initially for the 2011 model year. Volvo also makes the V90, which is a few inches longer and a few thousand dollars more expensive and designed, I suppose, for slightly bigger families. Or at least bigger budget families.

For most flocks, though, the V60 is all you will need, unless your family is larger than five, which is too large, and in which case you will need a van or one of those three-row SUVs after all.

Specs That Matter

The car I drove was an all-wheel-drive T6, which has a 2.0-liter inline four cylinder engine that’s supercharged and turbocharged making a claimed 316 horsepower, though Volvo says the V60 will also be available in a hybrid T8 version, which will make 400 horsepower, in addition to a T5, which will lose the blower and keep the turbo to make 250 horsepower. Got all that? Same engine, varying combinations of hybrid power and forced induction.

All of those will be connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission, which you can also manually shift if you want. Volvo says it gets around 26 mpg at best.

On the road, the car (obviously) drives better than the Volvo 240s I had growing up, but, like those, it still lumbers, and complains a little when you push it. Handling gets a bit loose when taking corners at aggressively uncomfortable speeds, but, you know, this wasn’t designed to be a race car. Also: Who gives a shit? You’re not buying the new V60 to drive at ten-tenths on the track. You’re buying it to ferry your family from home to school to the supermarket to home or to go on a Midwestern road trip. Also: Fuck speed, which is overrated. Drive slower. You’ll live longer. The 2019 Volvo V60 will help you live longer.

Relatedly: Most of the car’s standard features are all things you expect in car in 2018, including safety features like lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking and steering assist, which will help you turn if the car senses that you’re heading into a collision and you’re not turning fast enough.

Other features, like blind-spot monitoring and Pilot Assist, which is great for stop-and-go traffic but terrible and terrifying at highway speeds, come optional.

What’s Great

From behind the wheel, your relationship with the world rushing before you is remarkable. You get just as much of everything outside as you want, dampened, isolated, but not overly so. The road echoes up through the pleasingly chunky steering wheel in subtle vibrations, bumps smoothed out, rocks cushioned by the impeccable seats. It’s not a cocoon; the whole world is run through the V60 like a four-wheeled Swedish translator.

Which is all to say: Volvo makes the some of the very best interiors in the business. And sitting in one, you’d have no idea the car wasn’t built for consumers willing to spend twice as much. It’s in the leather, the driftwood, the crystal. Competitors should take note, or at least try, especially at the price points that Volvo is working with.

I also loved the 360-degree surround camera for use when backing up, a feature that struck me as frivolous at first but, by the end, essential. I won’t pretend I’m not excited that this technology is proliferating throughout the auto industry right now. You don’t need to turn your head when backing up, and, more importantly, you don’t even feel the need to turn your head, since everything’s right there on the screen. It’s brilliant.

Another thing: This car is a tank, as most Volvos are. Here are some crash test photos:

The next one should show the dummy exiting the car and raising his hands to cheers while somebody on a loudspeaker announces “And He’s OK!”

You could (possibly) drive this car into a brick wall and still survive and feel like you were surrounded by teddy bears. (Don’t do this.)

Another thing: you can get the seats in plaid. Look at these photos and tell me they don’t make you grin:

What’s Weak

Volvo says this thing can go from zero to 60 in 5.8 seconds, which sounds fast on paper, but in reality feels very slow, not that that really matters at all, since I suspect that the target demo for a new Volvo won’t be drag racing. Besides, if you want a fast luxury station wagon, spend tens of thousands of dollars more for the Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo, which I hear is unsettlingly quick.

The Volvo navigation system continues to be bad, both a pain to use and, worse, sometimes inaccurate. This, presumably, will someday change, as Volvo says it is constantly working on updates and, also, glory be, will finally start using Google Maps.

The voice directions often come too late and without enough warning. The map on the console didn’t seem to want to automatically zoom in on our route after you’d fiddled with it for a bit; the whole system felt less than refined. The secondary screen that shows up in between your speedometer and tach on the dash was reliable, though, a small consolation. The whole thing, in other words, is wanting, which is a shame for an infotainment system that otherwise is pretty good, and has been sped up by 50 percent thanks to a new processor.

Early Verdict

There’s no word yet on price, though you can expect it to cost a little more than the current V60’s base price of $38,250, meaning around $50,000 all told with options. Your other options in this segment are cars like the Audi A4 Allroad or the BMW 3-Series Sports Wagon, which are both offered around the same price. There’s also, for a little bit more, the Jaguar XF Sportbrake, though, buying a new station wagon from anyone other than Volvo feels like a chance not worth taking. Better to go with the brand who for decades has been defined by them.

You could also buy a crossover if you want a bit more ground clearance, but come on. Why do you need it. The 2019 Volvo V60 rides low and looks great doing it. And you know what? You’re not going to be left out of any driving opportunities you would have had by being an extra inch off the asphalt.

The 2019 Volvo V60 says, nay, screams that you’re still fully engaged, an informed consumer making an informed buying choice. The car is not for thrill-seekers, but it was never trying to be in the first place. Do you want excitement? Buy a fast car, or gamble large sums of money. Do you want studied proficiency and a healthy lifestyle? Get a Volvo.

Volvo is adding a more dynamic R-Design derivative to the V60, expanding the range of its compact wagon model.

The new Volvo V60 R-Design will be available with every powertrain option in the range, including the 150hp D3 and 190hp D4 diesel versions, as well as the 250hp T5 petrol model.

From the outside, the new V60 R-Design distinguishes itself from its siblings with sportier features, such as the diamond-cut 18-inch alloy wheels and twin tailpipes. The R-Design model also replaces most of the bodywork’s brightwork with a high-gloss black finish, that can be found on the front grille’s mesh, door mirror housings and window frames.

The interior continues on the same theme, featuring black headlining, sports pedals, a leather-wrapped sports steering wheel and gear lever, as well as R-Design-branded tread plates. Other features includes a pair of part-leather sports seats with cushion extensions and multi-directional lumbar support, metal mesh interior detailing and more.

R-Design models are more than just an appearance package though, with Volvo adding a sports-tuned suspension that features stiffer springs, faster-responding monotube dampers, thicker anti-roll bars and a 12mm drop in ride height.

In addition, the new Volvo V60 R-Design comes equipped with a generous equipment level as standard, including a nine-inch infotainment system, two-zone climate control, automatic headlights with active high beam, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a powered tailgate and Volvo’s City Safety suite of active safety systems.

For those who want more, Volvo will offer the R-Design Pro model, again with all available powertrain options. The Pro adds things like 19-inch alloys, dark-tinted rear windows, adaptive headlights, ambient lighting, head-up display, heated front seats and more.

Prices for the new Volvo V60 R-Design start from £35,410 for the manual D3 model in the UK, with the R-Design Pro models kicking off at £37,660. The order books are now open, with first deliveries expected to take place at the end of the year.

The all-new 2019 Volvo V60 is a sleek-looking wagon that’s also pretty excellent to drive. Now we know it starts at just under $40,000, which is a solid value for a luxury car, but if you want one you will need to wait a bit. The V60 will only be available for order only.

Since the vast majority of American car buyers are flocking to crossovers and SUVs, Volvo is one of the few brands that is committed to offering a wagon body style in not one but two vehicle categories. The V90 and V90 Cross Country are the larger wagons and the V60 slots in below them. The V90 is for order only, too.

The V60 is currently available in T5 and T6 engine configurations and three trims: Momentum, R-design and Inscription. You can only get the top line Inscription with the T6 AWD configuration.

With a starting price of $39,895 for the T5 front-wheel drive Momentum Volvo seems to be undercutting competitive cars like the Audi A4 Allroad and BMW 3 Series Sportwagen that both start around $45,000. A T8 Hybrid model is in the works too, but pricing has not been released.

However, despite the fact that the T5 FWD Momentum comes with standard features such as City Safety, Panoramic Sunroof and Thor’s Hammer headlights in addition to some super cool plaid textile seats, the Audi and BMW come standard with AWD. A more comparably equipped V60 would be the twin-charged T6 AWD Momentum that rings in at $44,395 and brings more power to the table.

Our man Justin Westbrook got to sample all three trims in the S60, which is just like the V60, but with less wagon, and he said it seems that the R-Design is the one you really want as it best balances luxury and performance.

Given that Volvo knows there aren’t many wagon nuts willing to drop $40,000 or more on a new V60, and wagon people tend to want their car outfitted exactly how they like it, Volvo says the 2019 V60 “...will be offered exclusively via customer order production.” Don’t expect to see many of these on dealer lots, then.

The 2019 Volvo V60 wagon will not be stocked at dealerships for new car buyers to check out, test drive, and bring home the same day. Instead, it will be available for customization and special order for those who desire to purchase one of the few luxury wagons available for sale in the United States.

Volvo is clearly committed to keeping the wagon body around, but the V60 is now joining its larger sibling, the V90 wagon, as an order-only model. And while this may appear to be a big inconvenience, Volvo actually thinks it can offer a better product experience and satisfy wagon buyers even more. Honestly, we don't disagree.

"We found that people who are interested in the lower-riding wagons love that specific body type and prefer to have more customization control," a Volvo spokesperson told The Drive. "As a result, it makes sense that the first year of production for U.S. specified V60s focus on customer order preferences."

Three inches. Three inches of ground clearance are really all that separate Volvo's new Cross Country from the V60 wagon on which it's based. Tack on a bit of tasteful body cladding and the result is a wagon that's as butch as it is beautiful. Admit it, you want one.

The transformation from V60 to Cross Country is minor, but it really works. Volvo's been doing the Cross Country thing since the late 1990s, and it's a part of the luxury space, however small, that it owns like no other automaker can.

It's easy to fall in love with the 2020 V60 Cross Country on a Volvo-designed handling course atop a frozen lake in northern Sweden -- talk about your home court advantage. The Cross Country's extra ground clearance means it easily and eagerly blasts over packed snow. And with nicely weighted steering and a throttle that's easy to modulate, I have no trouble hanging the V60's tail out for extended drifts through a long, right-hand sweeper on this Arctic playground.

The Cross Country uses the same all-wheel-drive system as the standard V60 T6, which can split power 50/50 between the front and rear axles, but mostly runs a front-wheel-drive setup in cruising conditions. The only difference is that the Cross Country adds an Off-Road mode to its AWD system, which really just gets you hill descent control. It works a treat on a short, steep slope that takes me from solid ground out to the frozen lake, keeping the V60 Cross Country at a slow-and-steady downward speed even on this slick surface.

It's worth noting that Volvo fitted its test cars with Michelin X-Ice North studded snow tires, which add heaps of traction in these super-slippery conditions. (Studded snow tires aren't legal in some parts of the US, but I can't recommend studless winter rubber enough if you live in a cold-weather state.)

Hoonable ice capades aside, the V60 Cross Country is a relaxed, easygoing cruiser. Along the snowy streets of Luleå, Sweden, the Volvo offers a supple ride, but one that's never floaty or disconnected. The V60 doesn't get the optional rear air suspension of the larger V90 Cross Country, but you honestly don't need it. The standard suspension setup is perfectly fine -- and besides, Volvo says only like 5 percent of V90 Cross Country buyers opt for the air suspension, anyway.

Every US-spec V60 Cross Country will be powered by Volvo's ubiquitous T5 powertrain, consisting of a 2.0-liter, turbocharged I4 engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. No, you can't buy a Cross Country with the V60's more powerful, turbocharged-and-supercharged T6 engine. But you can't buy a standard V60 T5 with all-wheel drive, either.

With 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque on offer, the T5 setup feels just-right in the V60 Cross Country. In fact, I prefer this engine to the more complex T6 and T8 setups in Volvo's other cars. The added power of the V60's T6 engine is nice, but with a turbocharger and a supercharger offering assistance, there are often weird bursts of power in weird places throughout the engine's rev range. Instead, the turbo-only T5 offers predictable punch, achieving maximum torque from 1,800 rpm. The all-wheel-drive V60 Cross Country may have 275 more pounds to lug around than a front-wheel-drive V60 T5, but Volvo says it's only slightly slower when accelerating from a standstill. It hits 62 miles per hour in a respectable 6.8 seconds.

EPA fuel economy data won't be available for a couple more months, but expect the V60 Cross Country to return slightly less than the 24 miles per gallon city, 36 mpg highway and 28 mpg combined ratings of the standard V60 T5. That said, many Roadshow staff members have had trouble hitting the EPA numbers in other T5-equipped Volvos, so as always, your mileage may vary.

You can buy a V60 wagon in Momentum, R-Design and Inscription trims, but Volvo says the Cross Country will only come one way. Exact US equipment levels and packaging are still TBD, but European models will have 18-, 19- and 20-inch wheel options. The car you see here rides on 19s, and I think they look great.

Inside, leather seats and metal accents look fantastic in the handsomely designed V60 interior, and a panoramic sunroof lets the light shine in -- helpful on those dreary winter days. I kind of wish the Cross Country were available with the City Weave cloth upholstery like the Momentum-trim V60, but I guess there has to be one bit of imperfection in this package, right?

Because the V60 and Cross Country are dimensionally identical inside, you'll find adequate headroom, and taller drivers didn't register any complaints after driving the Cross Country over the course of two days. Like Volvo's other new cars, the heavily sculpted front seats are as comfy as they are pretty, with support in all the right places. The rear seats offer plenty of room for average-height adults or your precious brood. And when they're folded flat, you've got 50.9 cubic feet of space to haul your whatevers.

Like in every other new Volvo, infotainment duties are handled by the company's Sensus Connect software, a love-it-or-hate-it system if there ever was one. On one hand, Sensus is beautiful to behold, its 9-inch, portrait-style display offering bright, crisp graphics and colorful displays. I like that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are housed in a separate tile on the Sensus home screen, meaning they don't automatically take over the whole interface.

On the other hand, Sensus' myriad pages are difficult to navigate, and even after countless loans of Volvo products over the years, I still feel like I don't quite have a grasp on where everything lives in the menu structure. A faster processor means Sensus isn't as slow to start up and respond to inputs as it once was, but I still notice some lag. And I like Volvo's 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster enough, but it isn't half as pretty or information-rich as what you'll find in the latest Audi and Mercedes-Benz products.

Being a Volvo, safety tech is in appropriately high supply. Pre-collision braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors and a 360-degree camera are all standard. Volvo will offer its Pilot Assist tech, too, which combines the adaptive cruise control and lane-keep tech for partially autonomous, hands-on-the-wheel driving.

Volvo says the 2020 V60 Cross Country will be available to order in the first quarter of this year, but deliveries won't take place until summer. Like the standard V60, the Cross Country will be available at all Volvo dealers -- it won't be an order-only affair like the V90 wagon. Pricing hasn't been released just yet, but I'll bet the V60 Cross Country comes in right around $45,000. A front-wheel-drive V60 T5 starts at $38,900, and the Cross Country will offer a little more in the way of standard equipment.

The V60 Cross Country's closest competitor is the Audi A4 Allroad, which starts at $45,700. A Buick Regal TourX, meanwhile, starts just under $30,000, but it isn't half as nice inside as either of its European counterparts. Volvo's larger XC60 crossover is a more functional alternative and it overlaps the Cross Country in price. But come on, you don't just want to be another anonymous part of the crossover-SUV set, do you?

Besides, that's what I like best about Volvo's Cross Country models: They're different. The V60 is arguably the best example of the Cross Country package yet -- it's nicer to drive than the bigger V90, and I think it looks better, too. It might not be too different from a standard V60 wagon, but that's because the V60 is a hell of a strong foundation on which to build. All it takes is a little more ride height and some tough-guy style. The Cross Country updo makes Volvo's V60 more appealing than ever.