Sweden's automotive darling, Volvo, announced plans in 2015 to build its first North American assembly facility about 30 miles northwest of the port city of Charleston, South Carolina. Currently, Volvos are built in Sweden, Belgium and China. The plant is expected up and running by late 2018 where high-volume S60 sedans will take up residence with a beginning capacity to assemble 100,000 vehicles annually.
Up-market Volvo specializes in unibody, car-type body styles capable of handling inclement conditions wrapped nicely within a cocoon of safety, although a handful of higher-tech safety nuances require purchasing of add-on packages. No flat-bed pickups dot dealer landscapes.
Volvo's alpha-numeric vehicle identification remains easily decipherable. For example, the higher the divisible-by-10 numeric suffix, the larger the vehicle. Three alpha prefixes define body structure: S equals sedan, XC designate crossover while V denotes Versatility (think sleek, updated station wagon design).
The "Cross Country" sub trim adds a layer of off-road readiness. Cross Country designates include electronically controlled (no driver input) all-wheel drive along with high profile tires for tackling unequal terrain. Volvo added Cross Country availability to this week's tester, the V60 wagon, in the 2015 model year.
Advanced, all-wheel drive delivers power to the wheels with the best grip. If a tire loses traction, power gets reduced to that tire and redistributed to better-gripping rubber. Torque vectoring redistributes power to wheels with the most traction during turns, helping to steer effectively through them; a system which performed admirably during a wintery, Chicagoland snow fall.
Assisting off-road travels is V60's comparatively high 7.9 inches of ground clearance, also providing easier entry and exit compared to the likes of sports cars or compact vehicles lower slung to the pavement.
Since the turn of the millennia, Volvo has incorporated an international flair. Ford Motor Company took a decade-long controlling interest of the Gothenburg, Sweden-based Company from 1999 through 2009. From there, Volvo became part of Zhejiang Geely Holdings, one of China's fastest-growing auto groups. From Latin, Volvo translates to "I Roll."
Northern Europe's "I Roll" automaker is in the process of incorporating an $11 billion SPA (Scalable Product Architecture) chassis technology into all next-generation efforts. The all-new 2016 XC90 crossover debuts this flexible, architecture-sharing platform, with early kudos. Volvo's largest crossover earned North American 'Truck of the Year' honors at the just completed Detroit Auto Show (Chicago's show opens Saturday, Feb. 13).
Global sales reached an all-time high in 2014 with 503,127 units, the first time in Volvo's 89-year history surpassing a half-million units. Here in the U.S., sales jumped a healthy 24 percent ending at 70,047, but significantly lower than a 120,000 mark set in 2004. While the U.S. rates as a top market for many global automakers, Volvo's narrative takes a different turn. In 2015 the U.S. placed fourth in Volvo's sales hierarchy behind Western, Europe, its home market of Sweden and China.
The mid-size, five-passenger V60 Cross Country is the sole wagon or "V" offering in Volvo's U.S. portfolio. Starting price checks in at $41,000. Our well decked out tester included a "Platinum" package (think of Platinum as a second available up-level trim) listing at $44,650. Platinum ads swiveling Xenon headlights, upgraded sound system, rear park assist camera and 'technology package.'
Additional extras included a climate package with heated windshield, seats, steering wheel and dual outboard row-two booster seats; Blind Spot Information System- cross traffic alert, lane changing aid and 19-inch matte black wheels. Bottom line, with $940 destination charge, ended at $49,775. A non-Cross Country V60 starts at $36,150.
Expect minimal V60 changes from the 2015 model year with the exception of three new exterior hues and a blonde/off-black interior seating color combo.
Under hood, a 2.5-liter inline five cylinder turbocharged engine (one of the few five bangers available), cranks out 250 horsepower and mates with a standard six-speed automatic. A conventional V60 (non CC) includes front-wheel drive and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine cranking out 240 horses.
What differentiates a Volvo crossover from a wagon? Volvo's V60' wagon incorporates narrower side windows with back side cargo area glass ending with an arrow-head point. Front end honeycomb grills are narrower as well with wagons incorporating an elongated, stretched type "U" outline.
Tall, vertically arranged tail lights flank the lift back, resembling a twisting alpine slide, illuminating in bright red upon nightfall. The rear window includes a standard wiper and top-side extension/spoiler, both helping to keep the rear glass uncluttered. Other markets offer a larger V-70 wagon, but for now, the V60 is the sole "Versatile" U.S. model.
Inside, the creatively attractive instrument panel with differentiating shades of red back hue includes a deep-set circular center ring with digital speedometer smack in the middle framed by a tachometer. Flanking both far sides like bookends are vertically-arranged half-moon mechanical indicators including a left-side bar-type fuel gauge and right side secondary gear shift display.
Push button start comes standard with a locale high up the dash, far enough away from steering wheel interference. Both fuel and rear latch electronic push buttons reside on the dash, left of the steering column; a superior location to the floor near the driver's bucket. Front buckets are very supportive while back seat leg room measures tighter than mid-size rivals and best accommodates two travelers. Back seats fold down flat with a 40/20/60 split, creating an extended cargo region. While measuring less than most competitors, a low, lift over design eases items inside.
In front, small storage nooks are in short supply. Much gets stowed within dual in-line beverage holders and the small, rear-hinged flip-top storage bin directly aft.
Volvo's visually appealing ventilation controls below the multi-function color screen combines form and function. A tri-sectioned, push-panel, Picasso-like brushed aluminum body profile serves to summon fan direction; complete with small round button (top) triangular-like torso (middle) and frumpy bottom (ground). An adjacent tactile knob regulates fan speed while two outer twist dials monitor temperature. Above the silver-like body outline is a telephone-like touch pad doubling as station presets. Framing it all; a series of defroster and other buttons.
The left-side, 9'o-clock portion of the steering wheel hosts radar cruise control (automatically speeding and slowing the vehicle depending upon distance of the car ahead) while the right side includes secondary audio buttons and thumb scroll for rotating quickly through station selections. The V60 Cross Country comes with a six-month complimentary subscription to Satellite radio.
All-wheel drive taps down V60 Cross Country's fuel economy potential more so than many rivals, registering 20 miles per gallon city and 28 mpg highway utilizing regular, unleaded fuel. By comparison, the front drive V60 with four-cylinder engine averages 25 mpg city and 37 mpg highway.
All Volvo V60s come with four years or 50,000 miles of complimentary on-call roadside assistance in addition to free scheduled maintenance at 10,000, 20,000 and 30,000 miles; a great perk.
2016 Volvo V60 Cross CountryPrice as tested: $49,775
Wheelbase: 109.2 inches
Length: 182.6 inches
Width: 73.4 inches
Height: 60.8 inches
Engine: 2.5-liter five cylinder turbo
Horsepower: 250
City/Highway economy: 20 mpg city/ 28 mpg highway
Assembly: Gothenburg, Sweden