2016 Volvo V60

Sexy Volvo wagon. Yes, you read that right. There is not a bad line on this swoopy “shooting brake” take on the S60 sedan, but with these fetching lines comes a compromise – back seat room is cozy and ultimate cargo room is limited. Get past that and the V60 is a lovely package, showing all the expected Volvo attributes of stylish interior, solidity, safety, comfort and excellent build quality.

As with the S60 sedan, buyers of this wagon are presented with a dizzying array of models that can be confusing. Let’s try to make sense of this.

Starting at $40,600, the V60 T5 Drive-E FWD is the only front-drive model in the lineup. Power comes from Volvo’s new-gen 2.0L turbo four that sends a silky 240 hp and 258 lb-ft through an equally impressive 8-speed automatic transmission. Fuel consumption is pegged at 8.3 L/100 km combined.

Next up the price ladder is the T5 AWD at $42,800. This T5 uses the old-gen 250 hp, 266 lb-ft turbocharged 2.5L 5-cyl mated to a six-speed auto. It’s an impressively smooth and strong drivetrain that delivers 10.1 L/100 combined on regular grade gas. This is a proven engine – it may be old but it makes for effortless progress. Recommended.

And now to the $700 T6 question. Do you want your V60 T6 AWD with an old thirsty turbocharged 3.0L straight-six (300 hp) and six-speed auto or with a new, more efficient Drive-E 2.0L turbo and supercharged four-cylinder (302 hp) with eight-speed auto? Pricing is $47,200 and $47,900 respectively.

Apply the same question to the spicier R-Design editions of the V60 T6 models. Granted, the aging six-cylinder in the V60 T6 R-Design AWD ($52,000) gets boosted to a healthy 325 hp and 354 lb-ft, versus the T6 Drive-E AWD R-Design ($53,000) with 302 hp and 295 lb-ft from its twice-boosted 2.0L four.

The all-wheel-drive V60 Cross Country with its 250-hp 2.5L turbo-five starts at $44,550. High-profile tires on 18-inch alloys and extra wheel travel due to its increased ride height impart the wagon with a smooth ride. Its butch looks and increased off-road ability make this an intriguing package.

The limited edition special order V60 Polestar will be the standout model, especially in the striking Rebel Blue. The previous 345-hp six-cylinder V60 Polestar won AJAC’s Best New Performance Car over $50K for 2015. This edition runs with a 2.0L Drive-E twin-charged four-cylinder sending 367 horsepower and 347 lb-ft to the road through and 8-speed auto and Polestar-tuned Borg Warner all-wheel-drive system.