#2016 volvo crossover models plus

Visibility, however, is an area where Cross Country models struggle. There’s nothing plasticky or shoddy-feeling in the XCs, although one might want to suggest to Volvo that nobody uses a number pad to dial a telephone number anymore, so we might be able to clean up that part of the center console. What appears to be metal feels like real metal. Normally I’m not a fan of this type of trim, regardless of automaker, but in this case Volvo’s picked a material with good graining and a nice finish that appears attractive to my eyes.įurther, everything felt good in my hands. Cross Country buyers have a choice of metallic, piano black or wood inlays our test model came with the wood trim. Volvo’s material choices are consistent with a luxury brand. Side-bolstering is pronounced, but I didn’t find it to be uncomfortable. The leather seating surfaces look and feel good, with plenty of support. There’s a nice mix of high-quality materials. If the off-pavement performance of the Volvos is underwhelming, their interiors are a highlight. Sticking to combined mileage figures, the Cross Country models trail the allroad (24 mpg) and four-cylinder Outback (28 mpg), but edge out the V-6 Outback models’ 22 mpg. In that setting, the Outback just can’t match the Volvos’ poise and power.īoth the sedan and wagon get the same EPA-estimated 20/28/23 mpg city/highway/combined. Here again, if I were going off road I’d want something with a bit more sidewall (to absorb bumps) than an 18- or 19-inch wheel provides.Ĭonversely, there’s no doubt I’d prefer the XCs’ overall power and handling if I were facing a long drive on twisting roads. Also, the standard wheels are 18-inchers, with 19-inch wheels optional. The XCs feel so stiff you worry they might snap.

Put another way, I’ve driven the Outback in a variety of off-road settings and have always felt as if the suspension were soaking up some of the crap I was driving over and that the car was working to clamber over and through obstacles. The XCs ride so firmly that they’re just not comfortable on the rough stuff - or even on rough pavement. These Volvos are among the few cars on the market that have too heavy a steering setup for some people.Įngine response and steering feel give you confidence to hustle a Cross Country, and the suspension is firm enough to reward that kind of aggressive driving.Īnd that’s the problem. Those who prefer a lighter steering setup, though, will want to take a test-drive and pay close attention. It provides a lot of feedback and really feels connected to the road. The other standout positive of the Cross Country models is their steering. There’s a fair amount of engine noise in the cabin, but the engine sounded really good to me, so I didn’t mind. The XCs move away well from a dead stop, and they’re responsive when you need to make a pass on the highway. The combination is one of the best parts of driving the car.Įngine response is good off the line, and there’s a sensation that there’s a lot of power on reserve if you need it. In this way, the XCs manage a more elegant body design than both the previous Volvos and the Outback and allroad.Ĭross Country models are powered by a 250-horsepower, turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-five-cylinder engine matched with a six-speed automatic transmission. There are pieces of body cladding on both models that are subtler than previous off-road Volvos, like the XC70. Something about the size of the wheels, raised bodywork and general proportions just doesn’t look right on that body style. The look wears well on the wagon but makes the otherwise well-proportioned S60 look ungainly. They also feature skid plates that protect the undercarriage from damage. Compare them here.Ĭross Country models are easily spotted because of their raised height compared with the standard V60 and S60 their 7.9 inches of ground clearance is about 2.5 inches more than conventional models. The XCs’ competitors include all-wheel-drive-only vehicles such as the Subaru Outback and Audi allroad.

I tested both of these reviews of the S60 and V60 on which the XC versions are based are also available.

#2016 volvo crossover models plus

While the Cross Country versions of the 2016 Volvo S60 sedan and V60 wagon have higher ground clearance, plus bodywork that suggests off-road capability, their firm suspensions mean they’re best-suited for on-pavement driving.