Packing More for Every Summer Getaway in the 2026 Volvo V60 Cross Country

Summer in Ontario means cottage roads, gravel shoulders, and a trunk that somehow needs to fit two suitcases, a cooler, and a folding chair nobody wants to leave behind. A wagon built for that kind of trip looks different from a sedan and different from a tall SUV.

The 2026 Volvo V60 Cross Country is built around that middle ground: car-like handling with the raised stance and cargo flexibility a road trip actually needs.

Why the Cross Country Shape Matters for a Long Weekend

The V60 Cross Country isn’t a lifted version of a regular wagon for looks alone. It rides on 197 mm of ground clearance, enough to handle a rutted cottage driveway or an unpaved parking area without the driver second-guessing the approach.

Approach, departure, and breakover angles of 17.0, 22.4, and 18.4 degrees respectively mean the front and rear overhangs clear rougher transitions, like a steep boat launch ramp or a gravel shoulder, better than a low-slung wagon would. All-wheel drive is standard, so a gravel road after a storm or a wet cottage lot doesn’t change the plan.

That combination, wagon proportions plus SUV-like clearance, is the whole argument for choosing the Cross Country over a taller SUV for this kind of trip: the driving position and handling stay closer to a car, while the ground clearance and AWD cover the same rough patches an SUV would.

The Features That Actually Matter on the Road

Cargo space is the first thing most road-trip buyers check, and the V60 Cross Country offers 519 L behind the rear seats and 888 L with them folded. That’s enough for two large suitcases, a cooler, folding chairs, and beach gear with the second row up, and enough for bikes or larger loads with it folded flat.

Loading it is easier thanks to the keyless entry with hands-free power tailgate: hands full of grocery bags or paddleboard gear, a foot swipe under the bumper opens the trunk.

That braked towing figure covers a small utility trailer, a couple of kayaks on a rack, or a light bike trailer, useful for anyone heading to a lake for the weekend without needing a dedicated tow vehicle.

For the drive itself, the turbocharged 1.969 L four-cylinder makes 247 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque through an 8-speed automatic and standard AWD, with 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds. That’s enough to merge confidently onto a highway on-ramp with a loaded trunk and passengers aboard.

Hot afternoons in the car are handled by a four-zone climate system, an air purifier with remote cabin pre-cleaning, and ventilated front seats, so the cabin isn’t still baking when everyone climbs back in from a rest stop. Heated rear seats round out the shoulder-season trips, too.

Front seat comfort matters over several hours behind the wheel: power lumbar support, power side bolsters, and a power cushion extension for the driver all help on a longer stretch of highway. In the back, 895 mm of legroom and 1,356 mm of hip room give adults or kids enough room to stay comfortable, and the rear centre armrest and ISOFIX points make it workable for a family with car seats.

A short packing example for a weekend at the cottage:

• Two mid-size suitcases and a duffel bag (seats up, 519 L)
• A cooler, folding chairs, and beach bags (seats up, remaining space)
• Bikes or oversized gear (seats folded, 888 L)

On the technology side, the 9-inch centre display runs Android Auto and Apple CarPlay alongside Google Maps and Google Assistant built in, so route planning and music stay on one screen. A 12.3-inch driver display, head-up display, and 360-degree camera help with parking at a busy trailhead or a tight cottage turnaround, and the Volvo Cars app extends some of that logistics to a phone before anyone leaves the driveway.

Inside, the Ultra trim’s ventilated nappa leather upholstery and panoramic roof set a premium tone that doesn’t disappear once the drive gets long, paired with Harman Kardon premium sound for the playlist.

Who the V60 Cross Country Fits Best

Couples who want one vehicle for both weekday commuting and weekend trips get a wagon that drives like a car but carries like something bigger. Small families benefit from the rear-seat room and ISOFIX points without stepping up to a three-row SUV they don’t need.

Active professionals hauling bikes, paddleboards, or camping gear get the braked towing capacity and folded cargo volume to match, and premium wagon buyers get the ground clearance and AWD to handle Ontario’s less-than-perfect back roads without giving up the lower, more connected feel of a wagon over an SUV.

Planning a Trip in the 2026 V60 Cross Country

The 2026 Volvo V60 Cross Country pairs wagon handling with the ground clearance, cargo room, and comfort features that make a long summer weekend easier to plan around, from packing the trunk to towing a light trailer.

Visit Volvo Cars Toronto in Toronto to sit in the cabin, check the cargo space against your own gear, and take a test drive that puts the ride comfort, loading convenience, and visibility to the test before your next trip.