Digging deeper into the pantheon of automotive history reveals that Russia’s Moskvitch also experimented with the idea of a tall, four-wheel drive sedan during the 1950s. Looking back, the list of cars that follow the same basic recipe as the S60 Cross Country is largely limited to the Subaru Outback sedan and – set your time machine to 1979 – the AMC Eagle. The Cross Country is essentially a regular S60 that has been crossover-ized. Presented earlier this year at the Detroit Motor Show, the Cross Country accurately illustrates the term “niche model” because it’s in a class of one and its production is limited to just 500 examples. One of the only true niche cars available in the United States today is the 2016 Volvo S60 Cross Country. But, it’s difficult to ignore that it remains a relatively volume-focused model BMW sold over 230,000 examples of the first-gen X6 globally. The BMW X6 is the poster child of the segment it’s neither a crossover nor a coupe so it gets lumped in the niche category. Today, the term “niche model” is often used to describe a car that’s unconventional in one way or another. It’s no more spacious than a standard Volvo V40, however - and with the extra cost and slightly higher running costs, it’s hard to recommend the Cross Country over the standard car, aside from if you really love the jacked-up looks. There’s a decent amount of space in the back for passengers, although legroom is tight behind a taller driver. The strong torque figure means it won’t feel too strained while pulling, either. Towing capacity will be a consideration for many V40 Cross Country buyers, and a figure of 1,500kg (braked) is decent for a car of this size. However, the standard V40 with the same D2 engine returns 83.1mpg and 94g/km of CO2 – that’s quite significant when you consider that the Cross Country commands a £1,800 premium – although you do get more kit as standard. So while the GLA has more of an SUV look to it, the V40 is much more economical. The petrol-powered Mercedes GLA 200 costs about the same as this V40, but can only manage 48.7mpg – and CO2 emissions of 134g/km are much higher. That’s only available on top-spec T5 petrol models, and while it’s not really necessary in the UK, it does make you wonder why the Cross Country exists at all. Grip is good, but for a car like this you might expect it to have four-wheel drive. There’s not too much body roll in corners either, and combined with the well-weighted steering that means the Cross Country is almost as good to drive as the standard V40. While it’s not perfect over rough roads, it does ride nicely on the motorway. That’s matched by the suspension setup, which despite being raised up is still comfortable enough. The seats are comfortable, with a well-judged driving position and plenty of support from the backrest. That makes it seem less spacious in the front as well, although there is actually plenty of room inside. The materials are mostly soft to touch, plus there’s a metal section on the centre console that prevents the whole cabin being covered in dark grey plastic – though it still feels dark inside the V40. Volvo has added a handful of extra standard kit including roof rails, 16-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights as well as DAB radio and auto city braking. It still has the outgoing model’s raised suspension, though, as well as front and side scuff plates and some more rugged-looking bumpers. Like the car on which it’s based, the V40 Cross Country has been facelifted to match more expensive models in the range – such as the S90 saloon and XC90 SUV. The DS 4 Crossback is close on price, but it’s tough to pin down a direct rival for the jacked-up hatchback. While the standard Volvo V40 competes in a tough class – taking on rivals like the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3 – this Cross Country version is much more niche. If you crave the off-road looks, then try one of the Volvo’s true SUV rivals. In isolation the Cross Country is a good car, but we’d stick to a standard V40 for better value for money. However, the faux-4x4 styling means it’s still more show than go, and – unless you opt for the top-spec T5 – four-wheel drive isn’t even an option. The Volvo V40 Cross Country remains good to drive and cheap to run, and it’s all the more appealing thanks to this round of mid-life updates.
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