2019-04-01 CAR UK (1)

54 CARMAGAZINE.CO.UK | APRIL 2019

Need to do a little light off-roading if the

occasion demands? Don’t fancy an SUV? Volvo

would like to usher you into the plush cabin of

this new, raised-up variant of its mid-sized V60

estate. Same engines and interior as the regular

car but a 60mm ride-height increase, a more

comfort-orientated suspension set-up and all-

wheel drive (regular V60s are front-drive) and

Hill Descent Control fitted as standard.

The Cross Country wears extra body clad-

ding in charcoal-coloured hard-wearing plastic

for a more macho, outdoorsy image. It looks

the part against the snowy backdrop of rural

Sweden where this test took place.

That snow means it’s difficult to make

concrete conclusions on the CC’s driving dy-

namics but they’re largely as you’d expect – like

a normal V60 with an extra dose of bodyroll.

Which doesn’t matter in the least, as the regular

V60 has never tried to rival the BMW 3-series

Touring or Mercedes C-Class for sportiness,

but succeeds by going big on comfort and the

feelgood factor instead.

There’s one engine available for now, the

187bhp D4 2.0-litre diesel with a usefully

chunky 295lb ft of torque. A 247bhp 2.0 T5

petrol is due later in the year, which will be a bit

cheaper, a bit faster, and a bit less torquey.

Automatic ’boxes are standard across the

range, which starts from £38,270 for the D4;

£3000 more than a regular V60.

The most natural rival would be the Audi A4

Allroad, but that’s now off-sale; a new one may

follow after the regular A4’s facelifted in the

summer but has not been confirmed. Mercedes’

E400d All-Terrain is excellent but a size – and

price – class above. Skoda’s marginally smaller

Octavia Scout is far cheaper, but feels it. Which

leaves the V60 Cross Country in its own, rather

comfy, little niche.

You raise me up

VOLVO V60 CROSS COUNTRY

One of the comfiest estates going grabs its walking

boots and padded jacket – and gets even comfier

First verdict

Extra ride height and squishier suspension play to

the V60’s strengths, pushing it further towards the

comfort end of the spectrum.

+++++

NISSAN MICRA

Goodbye to the old 89bhp 898cc turbo triple,

hello to a new 999cc engine with 99bhp – or

117bhp in the semi-sporty new N-Sport variant.

The Micra’s 2019 facelift also brings a new

auto option; a CVT with artificial ratios. The

handling’s tidy enough, and the new engine is

fine around town, but there’s little flair here.

First verdict

Better, but still not quite there. Toppy prices,

too – Tekna diesel reaches £20k.

+++++

SKODA KAROQ SCOUT

The Scout label that denotes an extra layer of

ruggedness is now available on the smaller of

Skoda’s SUVs, in 1.5 petrol form with DSG or

2.0 diesel manual; both make 148bhp. You get

beefier bumpers, a big sunroof, 19-in wheels,

heated front seats and an ice-taming Off-Road.

Worth the premium over lesser Karoqs.

First verdict

All the practicality of a good Yeti, if still not

quite the character and charm.

+++++

NISSAN QASHQAI 1.3 DIG-T

Nissan continues to fettle its mainstream

mainstay, substituting old 1.2- and 1.6-litre

petrol engines for a new 1.3, developed with

Daimler, in 138bhp or 158bhp form. It’s available

with Nissan’s first DCT, which is a peach. You’d

swear there’s more than 1.3 litres lurking under

the bonnet – it’s perky, and refined too.

First verdict

Satisfyingly well-rounded domestic transport,

despite dull cabin and naff infotainment.

+++++

First drives

Aurora borealis

available with the

optional Ambient

Sky Lighting pack