Volvo V60 Cross Country: Is a Wagon Right for You?
Lower, more car-like, and easier to live with day to day than an SUV — what the Cape Cod's least-visible Volvo actually trades away, and what it gets back in return.
View V60 Cross Country Inventory →Compare the Full Lineup- Lower than any Volvo SUV 59.2 in tall
- Standard AWD No option, no upcharge
- 8.3 in of ground clearance More than most sedans
- No third row Five seats only
A wagon fits a buyer who wants standard all-wheel drive and real cargo room without an SUV's height and bulk — someone who doesn't need a third row and values a lower, more car-like driving position for daily commuting and parking. Buyers who need more cargo volume or a third-row seating option are better matched to the XC60 or XC90 instead.
What the Wagon Concedes
Honesty about trade-offs is the whole point of a wagon-versus-SUV comparison, and the V60 Cross Country gives up two things clearly. It carries less cargo volume than either SUV in the lineup — the XC60 holds up to 63.3 cubic feet folded, more than the wagon's lower load height allows — and it has no third-row option at all, unlike the XC90's six-or-seven-seat configuration. Anyone who needs to seat more than five people regularly, or who routinely hauls cargo volume closer to an SUV's capacity, is better served by the XC60 or XC90. The wagon isn't trying to out-cargo an SUV; it's offering a different shape entirely.
What the Wagon Gets Back
A lower body means a lower center of gravity, and the V60 Cross Country's 59.2-inch height sits noticeably below the XC60's 65.2 inches — a real, felt difference in how a car corners and how it feels to drive at highway speed, not just a spec-sheet number. All-wheel drive comes standard on every V60 Cross Country, with no trim-level upcharge or availability question the way it can be on some SUV trims. And despite sitting lower than the SUVs, the wagon still carries 8.3 inches of ground clearance — more than most sedans, and enough for a rutted gravel driveway or a snowy back road without needing SUV height to get there.
V60 Cross Country vs XC60
| V60 Cross Country | XC60 | |
|---|---|---|
| Body style | Wagon | SUV |
| Height | 59.2 in | 65.2 in |
| Max cargo, folded | — | 63.3 cu ft |
| Third row | No | No |
| All-wheel drive | Standard | Available |
| Max towing | 2,000 lbs | 3,500 lbs |
| Seating | 5 | 5 |
Source: manufacturer specifications, current as of the 2026 model year.
Who the Wagon Actually Suits
The V60 Cross Country tends to fit a narrower, more specific buyer than the SUVs do — someone who's already decided they don't need a third row, has downsized from a larger vehicle, or simply prefers a car-like driving position after years in taller SUVs. That downsizing pattern shows up a lot on Cape Cod specifically: seasonal residents scaling down from a larger SUV to a single year-round vehicle, or empty-nesters whose kids have moved on from needing a third row, are a real and recurring part of the local buyer pool. It's also a genuinely uncommon sight on the road compared to the SUV-dominated market most drivers see daily, which appeals to a buyer who wants something distinctive without stepping into a niche or discontinued model. A second household vehicle, an empty-nester's daily driver, or a commuter who occasionally hauls gear but never needs to seat more than five are all better matches for the wagon than the badge recognition of an SUV. See our full buyer's guide if a third row or more cargo room turns out to matter more than expected.
Towing With the Wagon
The V60 Cross Country is rated to tow up to 2,000 lbs, noticeably less than the XC60's 3,500-lb rating — enough for a small utility trailer, a kayak trailer, or a personal watercraft, but not a boat of any real size. That rating covers a lot of what actually launches around Cape Cod Bay on a given weekend — a kayak or canoe trailer, a small skiff, a jet ski — without needing the extra towing capacity an SUV carries. A buyer who needs to tow an actual boat regularly, especially anything approaching a center-console or cabin cruiser, is better matched to the XC60 or XC90; a buyer whose towing needs stop at light-duty hauling won't find the wagon's lower rating a real limitation.
See the Wagon in Person
Browse current V60 Cross Country inventory, or compare it against the rest of the lineup first.
View V60 Cross Country Inventory →Read the Full Buyer's GuideFrequently Asked Questions
Does the Volvo V60 Cross Country have a third row?
No. The V60 Cross Country is a five-passenger wagon with no third-row option; the XC90 and EX90 are the only current Volvo models with three rows.
Does the V60 Cross Country have less cargo space than the XC60?
Yes. The XC60 holds up to 63.3 cubic feet of cargo with the seats folded, more than the V60 Cross Country's lower wagon body allows.
Is the V60 Cross Country all-wheel drive?
Yes, standard on every V60 Cross Country, with no trim-level upcharge or availability question.
How much ground clearance does the V60 Cross Country have?
The V60 Cross Country has 8.3 inches of ground clearance — more than most sedans, though less than the XC60 or XC90's SUV height.
Is a wagon or an SUV better for Cape Cod driving?
A wagon like the V60 Cross Country suits a buyer who wants standard AWD and a lower, more car-like driving position without needing a third row or maximum cargo volume; an SUV like the XC60 or XC90 suits a buyer who needs more cargo space or seating beyond five.