This weekend we were driving up to Whistler for Nourish, their summer wellness festival, and we had the perfect vehicle to get us there. As its name suggests, the 2026 Volvo V60 B5 Cross Country is designed for long distance road trips. Our trip wasn’t long, but with a two hour drive being necessary, there was some distance.
The Volvo V60 B5 was equal parts stylish and rugged. This included protective plastic cladding around the wheel arches, unique lower body panels, and striking “Thor’s hammer” LED headlights.
Whereas other SUVs in this segment are lowered to the ground, the V60 has an increased ground clearance (roughly 7.8 to 8.3 inches) for easy navigation over rough roads and light trails, without sacrificing its sedan-like handling. The vehicle comes standard with all-wheel drive, Hill Descent Control, and a dedicated Off-Road driving mode. We didn’t utilize the full gambit of features, but did feel comfort on our Sea to Sky highway drive.
The wagon seats up to five passengers and has a luxurious cabin feel with a soft palate of matte grey and glossy black, and a mix of materials from faux leather to faux wood grain. The front row seats were customizable and included not only the lumbar, but how much the side flanks hugged the driver or passenger as well. And best of all they massaged. The massage feature was easily accessible, with a push of a button. This then activates the infotainment screen and allows you to choose speed and strength within three settings, and the type of massage from rolling, kneading, focused on lower back, or the shoulders. The massage was more like a series of poking and prodding. It did help to alleviate stiffness and added stress stored in the hips from the long period of continuous sitting.
There is plenty of cargo space, not that we needed that much with only two carry on luggages. But if we did, it is highly practical with a flat load floor, 60/40 split-folding rear seats, and a low lift-over height for easy packing.
Despite the hotter day and the heat from the sun coming through the cabin, we were kept cool with individual climate control and air conditioning that blasted from their iconically memorable vertical air vents. This coupled with the glass of the moon roof and the ability to open the sun roof to allow in gusts of wind from the winding mountain way.
The engine is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine featuring a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that produces 247 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The model has the ability to charge the vehicle as you drive, which elongates fuel economy. This currently an essential point because I haven’t seen gas prices under two dollars in months. I found myself pushing the Volvo’s limits by seeing how far we could travel without fuelling up. The drive to got us there and then back on our last 150km. The latter thanks to the ability to charge the engine’s battery while cruising down hills. This kept us going until we got back to town and were able to fuelled up.
The Volvo B5 has all the latest technological advances and security features. A 9-inch infotainment touchscreen that includes native Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google Play, alongside standard Apple CarPlay compatibility. The wagon is equipped with the high-end Bowers & Wilkins sound system, as well as an Orrefors crystal gear selector, both of which are only available in the top trims. As for safety the Driver Assistance includes Pilot Assist, a 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitoring (BLIS) with steer assist, and cross-traffic alerts.
I greatly appreciated the overhead camera view for parallel and/or reverse parking. But especially when I was slowly moving in-between two large trucks on either side. Being able to see the exact clearance around the vehicle gave me additional confidence in my driving. It was a great sense of safety and relief.
As I test drive different brands of vehicles regularly, I often get asked, which is my favourite and what do I recommend? My answer is always Volvo, and after this weekend it is further fortified with an even score across the board from aesthetic, to technology, handling, and luxury. And if I have to further narrow it down to one specific model, it would be the 2026 Volvo V60 B5 Cross Country.
