Topic: Test Drive: 2016 Volvo S60 Cross Country

[Autos_Editor]

Volvo takes a perfectly nice sport sedan and makes it wear some hiking boots to create the S60 Cross Country
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[JohnnyMac]

Have to agree with the writer on this one, you'd be better off getting the V60 wagon Cross Country.  I think it looks a lot better than this too.  Or you could just get the regular S60.

[quadzilla]

If you ask Volvo, they’ll suggest the S60 Cross Country will appeal to the sort of folks who don’t necessarily need the space of a wagon (and prefer the styling of a luxury sedan), but want to be able to get from their condo downtown to the chalet by the slopes.

I wonder how many of those people Volvo actually found.

IMO the new S/V60 can't come soon enough.

[DriverJeff]

If you ask Volvo, they’ll suggest the S60 Cross Country will appeal to the sort of folks who don’t necessarily need the space of a wagon (and prefer the styling of a luxury sedan), but want to be able to get from their condo downtown to the chalet by the slopes.

I wonder how many of those people Volvo actually found.

IMO the new S/V60 can't come soon enough.

I agree!  The new XC90 shows some exciting promise for future Volvos.

[evil_twin]

How does this idea get off the whiteboard and actually into production???

Ridiculous.


Similar rationale for why SUV "coupes" (X6, etc) make little to no sense relative to their standard SUV counterparts....this is even worse!  I can't imagine a single use case where someone would actually purchase this over the other offerings from Volvo.   Is there anyone who actually needs this kind of clearance, but would prefer to do it in a sedan cabin vs a wagon/CUV/SUV???

There's a lot to love about cars in 2015 (uber power) but also a lot to dislike (products like this) 

[quadzilla]

Found these number on SwedeSpeed. Since they also show V40 sales I'm thinking it might be world wide sales.

Thru September 2015, Volvo reported XC60 sales at 116,000; V40s at 59,000; V60s at 37,000; and S60s at 28,000.

V40CC sales at 17,000, V60CC at 4,900 and S60CC at 215.

[evil_twin]

Found these number on SwedeSpeed. Since they also show V40 sales I'm thinking it might be world wide sales.

Thru September 2015, Volvo reported XC60 sales at 116,000; V40s at 59,000; V60s at 37,000; and S60s at 28,000.

V40CC sales at 17,000, V60CC at 4,900 and S60CC at 215.

Perhaps it's a halo car? 

[ktm525]

Volvo sold 29 of these in the USA during September.

29.  Perhaps all these variants are around just to fill out the showroom until the new V90 debuts.

[tooscoops]

goodness that's poor numbers.

but makes sense. not a lot of reason to get this version... as mentioned in the article, though the s60 is dated, it is still one of the classiest looking "mid-sized" or whatever it is cars on the market (imo)... this does nothing to add to that look and it in fact detracts from it...

[Noto]

Prepare the guillotine:

I disagree with all ya'll.  While I agree that the execution may not have been perfect (I have my complaints on a car that I otherwise really, really want), the jacked up sedan with AWD is not what bugs me - in fact,

If you ask Volvo, they’ll suggest the S60 Cross Country will appeal to the sort of folks who don’t necessarily need the space of a wagon (and prefer the styling of a luxury sedan), but want to be able to get from their condo downtown to the chalet by the slopes.  That extra 65 mm of ground clearance will presumably enable access even before the snow ploughs come by.

...yes, it does appeal to me.  I don't need the space of a wagon and do prefer driving sedans.  BUT, this thing seems a bit half-as$ed, especially in the trunk (unfinished sides, sloping, etc.  Keeping the old engine, not even offering the T6, and the aged interior?  No thanks.

Update this to the new platform and I'd actually consider it - but at $56,000,

[Solstice2006]

Also can't believe that this $4k more expensive than a comparable XC60 T5 AWD.  Which is way more capable.  I would prefer the XC70, but for those who want the extra ground clearance (the XC60)

[Fobroader]

Pffft....yeah no. Volvo wagons are blessed with amazing looks. Much like the Outback sedan of 10-15 years ago....why?? The XC60 and V60 to me are the ones to have.

[KD]

Weird car indeed!  I don't think Subaru had much success with the Outback sedan so not sure why Volvo is re-inventing the square wheel with this.

[OliverD]

Also can't believe that this $4k more expensive than a comparable XC60 T5 AWD.  Which is way more capable.  I would prefer the XC70, but for those who want the extra ground clearance (the XC60)

Funny, this always comes up, though usually when we are talking about wagons. For whatever reason luxury sedans are typically more expensive than the equivalent crossover. Just like a GLE400 is $9k cheaper than an E400 sedan.

[Blueprint]

Start throwing me tomatoes, I love this thing! Think of it as the Coupe version of the XC60 and it'll seem "normal" next to, say, an X4. The S60 ages gracefully IMHO, but the XC60 looks VERY outdated to my eyes.

[evil_twin]

...yes, it does appeal to me.  I don't need the space of a wagon and do prefer driving sedans.  BUT, this thing seems a bit half-as$ed, especially in the trunk (unfinished sides, sloping, etc.  Keeping the old engine, not even offering the T6, and the aged interior?  No thanks.

But isn't the reason you prefer driving a sedan that....well...it actually drives like a sedan, and not an SUV?   By raising this thing up you're entering CUV territory for handling (though I'll grant it's probably still lighter).

Just seems like an odd desire to have "utility" in the form of higher ground clearance but not in terms of cargo capacity.   Maybe you don't need a true wagon, but wouldn't a volvo-ified Subaru Crosstek make more sense than a jacked up S60?

[Guy]

While I'm pro-Volvo and love our XC-60, I do not understand what Volvo was trying to do here. And I guess I'm not alone, 29/month for the US market is a flop.

[Solstice2006]

Also can't believe that this $4k more expensive than a comparable XC60 T5 AWD.  Which is way more capable.  I would prefer the XC70, but for those who want the extra ground clearance (the XC60)

Funny, this always comes up, though usually when we are talking about wagons. For whatever reason luxury sedans are typically more expensive than the equivalent crossover. Just like a GLE400 is $9k cheaper than an E400 sedan.

OliverD, I know what you mean.  I am usually not one to compare a loaded compact to a base model mid-size sedan for example.  But this is Volvo example is weird. 

[Noto]

But isn't the reason you prefer driving a sedan that....well...it actually drives like a sedan, and not an SUV?   

Nope.

The reason is because sedans heat up/cool down faster (less volume to control) and they tend to be quieter.

[Solstice2006]

Pffft....yeah no. Volvo wagons are blessed with amazing looks. Much like the Outback sedan of 10-15 years ago....why?? The XC60 and V60 to me are the ones to have.

XC60 & XC70 for me.  You can actually put quite a few things in the cargo area.  I would take the older 3.2L (non-turbo).