2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country D4 SE Nav UK review

High-riding front-wheel-drive estate adds extra versatility to Volvo's V60 range, but there are better value alternatives out there A more rugged version of Volvo's V60 estate and another example of the Swedish manufacturer's attempt to exploit its Cross Country sub-brand more aggressively, following on from its V40 Cross Country.With a 201mm ride height, this Cross Country model sits 65mm higher than a standard V60. Cosmetic styling additions include front and rear skid plates, a metallic honeycomb front grille, wheel arch extensions and gloss trim around the doors and mirrors. The Cross Country also gets dual exhaust tailpipes for a 'more premium look'.The V60 Cross Country comes in four trim levels - SE, SE Nav, Lux and Lux Nav - and with a choice of three diesel engines. The entry-level motor is the 'D3' 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel unit with 148bhp and 258lb ft. Next up is the D4 of the same cubic capacity, but producing 188bhp and 295lb ft. Both are front-wheel drive.The range-topper is a 2.4-litre five-cylinder turbodiesel engine labelled 'D4 AWD', also developing 188bhp but with a hefty 309lb ft and four-wheel drive. Buyers get the choice of a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox with the D3 and D4 variants, while the flagship D4 AWD is automatic only.We drove the 188bhp D4 SE Nav manual, which sits right in the middle of the V60 Cross Country range and is expected to be the biggest seller of the range. Like for like, a V60 Cross Country D4 SE Nav manual is £1200 more than the standard V60 D4 SE Nav.

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