2026 Volvo V60 Cross Country Test: End of a Dynasty
It comes with a trace of tragic elegance
Sitting in the cockpit of this 2026 V60 Cross Country, I was suddenly struck by a complex emotion-not excitement, not disappointment, but a... sense of farewell. Do you know what it feels like? It's like your favorite old cafe suddenly posted a "closing soon" sign. The Volvo V60 Cross Country, an exotic station wagon from Northern Europe, is likely to become a swan song. This is not a wild guess. Look at how many brands around you are cutting off station wagon projects. The car in front of me is like an old general wearing his military dress for the last time-still tall and straight, but there are traces of wind and frost on its face. The 2.0T turbocharged engine under the hood is still humming low, and the all-wheel drive system firmly grasps the ground, but you can feel that its era is coming to an end.
Appearance: Still the Scandinavian tough guy, but a little more experienced
The iconic "Quake" headlight has now become more slender, as if squinting at the world. The China Network has been replaced with a simpler grid, and the silver guard at the bottom of the bumper reminds you: I am not an ordinary V60, I can go to wilder places. The car body is pulled up-nearly 7 centimeters more ground clearance than the ordinary V60, and you have to look up at it a little while standing next to it. The black plastic edging on the wheel arch is rough and pragmatic. With the standard 18-inch rims (you can also choose 19 or 20-inch rims, but I think 18-inch is better), the whole posture is like a gentleman wearing hiking shoes. The rear is still the most charming part-the vertical taillights outline the rear of the car, and the word "Volvo" is in the center, so concise that it makes people want to cry. But to be honest, this design has been used since 2018, and it is indeed a bit aesthetically tired in 2026. But on the other hand, this is probably a classic, right? Anyway, every time I see it, I still can't help but turn back and take a second look.
Interior: Nordic sex is cold, but it's really comfortable to the bones
Opening the car door, there was a familiar smell-not the smell of leather, not the sweetness of aromatherapy, but a clean and even a little cold smell. The instrument panel is still the same vertical large-screen layout, and the 9-inch Sensus system (with CarPlay and Android Auto) is actually quite easy to use, but the response speed obviously cannot keep up with those of the new domestic forces in 2026. The air conditioner outlet is made of slender chrome-plated strips, and when rotated, it feels like twisting a good Swiss Army knife. Seats-Oh my God, the Nappa leather seats on this car are like being hugged by an experienced Nordic masseur, with a near-perfect balance of support and comfort. The rear space can only be said to be enough, without lengthening the wheelbase, so the legroom is the level of mainstream B-Class cars. But the trunk is really big, with a low opening, so that a bicycle can be stuffed into the back row. For a small family, it may be the last station wagon you really want.
Open it: calm and leisurely, like drinking a cup of warm black coffee
Press the start button and there is no such violent roar-the B5 powertrain (250 horsepower, 350 Nm) plus a 48V light mix makes it almost silent when starting. Gently step on the accelerator, and the car slides out smoothly like a boat. The change in center of gravity caused by the raising of the chassis is not obvious, and the air suspension (optional) filters out all the fine bumps on the road. The steering feels light, but the virtual position is not large. You can walk in a straight line with two fingers at high speed. What really surprised me was its ability to travel bad roads-the unique chassis adjustment of the Cross Country version, combined with the full-time four-wheel drive system, can give you confidence in walking gravel roads and crushing potholes. It's not the kind of express train that makes your adrenaline surge, but a car that you don't want to drive fast-you just want to drive leisurely, play podcasts, and go to the countryside to find a quiet place to stare. By the way, the 48V light hybrid makes the start-stop system almost insensitive, which is better than any Japanese car I have ever driven. However, the noise of the engine during rapid acceleration is still quite obvious and lacks a sense of advanced quality.
The peak of pragmatism, but it is also dusk
This car is essentially the ultimate expression of the word "practical"-it can cross road (light), load loads, sit comfortably for four people, and its fuel consumption is not high (measured at about 8.5L per 100 kilometers). But why do I say this is the end of the dynasty? Because times have changed. Nowadays, electric vehicles, SUVs, and crossovers on the street are using larger screens, faster acceleration, and cheaper maintenance costs to grab customers. The starting price of the V60 Cross Country is about $50,000. At this price, you can buy a fully configured Tesla Model Y or an ideal L8 with much more space. In addition, Volvo itself is also making every effort to turn to electrification. The next generation V90 Cross Country is gone. As the only seed of a fuel-fueled station wagon, the existence of the V60 itself is a nostalgic declaration. I guess Volvo won't launch an electric version of the V60 Cross Country-they already have the EX30, the EX90, and maybe even a smaller electric station wagon, but it won't be a product of this purely tanker architecture anymore.
Finally: Goodbye, or rather, take care
Before the test ended, I deliberately found a mountain road and drove around. Stop on the top of the mountain, turn off the stereo, roll down the window, and listen to the sound of wind passing through the roof rack. This car is like an old friend. It's not perfect-the car is stuck, the acceleration is not exciting enough, and the back room is average-but it has a soothing texture. You don't need to be proud of how fast it can run, you just need to know that no matter how windy or rainy, or how bad the road is, it can get you and your luggage safely to your destination. The 2026 model year may be the last swan song of the V60 Cross Country. Volvo did not explicitly say that it would discontinue production, but looking at more and more EX series in the product line, the answer is already written in the future. If you can buy one, please cherish it well. Because in this era of rampant SUVs and rampant electric vehicles, there are really few stubborn and pure Nordic station wagons left.
