ArcaMax

It's not because the V60 is over-heavy. In fact, its curb weight is lower than the BMW wagon's (3,527 lbs. for the FWD T5 2.0 vs. 3,800 for the 328i xDrive). If anything, the Volvo should be quicker - and more fuel-efficient.

Unless, of course, BMW is fudging the hp numbers (claiming less than the turbo four actually makes) while Volvo's fudging in the other direction.

BMW has one last torpedo to fire into the Volvo's flanks. You can order the 3 wagon with a turbo-diesel 2.0 engine capable of an untouchable (by the V60) 43 MPG on the highway and 31 in the city (that's 6 MPG better than the gas-engined T5's city stats) and AWD - the icing and the cake together. Volvo does have a diesel engine - and it's available in the V60. Just not in the U.S. market.

Uh, there's one more thing. The new Drive-E 2.0 four-cylinder engine that's standard in T5 V60s is an engine that requires premium unleaded to deliver its best-case performance and economy. Meanwhile, the optional 2.5 liter engine (standard in the Cross Country) is ok swilling regular. Go figure.

ON THE ROAD

Let's start with what's standout: The V60's seats. They are works of art. Plush yet firm; supportive and relaxing. This is no easy (or common) thing. Usually, it's one - or the other. Too soft. Or overly firm. These are perfect. Hypnotically compelling, almost. You'll be inclined to buy the car just by sitting in the car. Forget the test drive.

Which, by the way, will probably not dissuade you. None of the versions of the V60 are road toads per se and the 2.0 T5 is admirably peppy while also managing to be very fuel-sippy, too. Yes, a 3 Series will outrun the Volvo in a drag race. How many Volvo prospects drag race their wagons?

It's just a drag that Volvo doesn't offer AWD with the new Drive-E engine, effectively forcing you to move up to the only marginally stronger 2.5 liter engine (and the more expensive Cross Country) if you want AWD - at the price of less peppy performance and a greater thirst for fuel.

The carryover six-speed automatic that's standard with the 2.5 and 3.0 liter engines isn't a bad box by any means. It's programmed well and shifts smartly in tune with either engine. It just lacks the economy advantage of the new eight-speed's additional gears, which save gas by reducing the amount of work the engine has to do to get the car up to speed.

Both boxes feature regular ("D") and Sport ("S") modes, with driver-selectable gear control. There are also a three driver-selectable modes for the engine - which is usual - but the modes are somewhat unusual.

There are the usual Eco (for best-case economy) and Performance (for snappier throttle response) and a third setting called - what to make of this? - Elegance. In this mode, the changeable LCD gauge cluster alters to a kind of low-key pewter backlit form vs. the racy-looking red backlit (with prominent centrally positioned tachometer) you'll see in Performance mode and the hybrid-esque gauges that get called up when you select Eco.

The secondary LCD display for the stereo and GPS and vehicle systems is located at the top of the center stack and recessed (which reduces glare) and canted toward the driver (which makes viewing it easier). It is attractive, if a bit on the small side. The GPS is "look ahead" 3D map style - your view is bird's eye, as if flying over terrain at about 200 feet. I think it's superior to the more common "look-down" types of GPS that are the digital equivalent of staring at a paper map in your lap.

Another area where the V60 stands out is visibility. Unlike what's often the case in a crossover, in the V60, it's excellent. In part because the roof's supporting pillars are not overly huge but also because the rear glass is not overly slanted - and not too small. Also the V60's second row headrests can be dropped (folded down) and out of the way at the touch of a button.

If you have't been in a new car recently, you might not know just how much of your rearward view is occluded by the tall headrests mandated for safety (anti-whiplash). In many cars, the second row headrests are fixed in place - or can only be moved up and down (within a very limited range). Having anti-whiplash head restraints is fine. But if no one's sitting in the back seats, all they do is obscure your view. Which is not safe. Being able to fold them down and out of your line-of-sight when not in use is extremely helpful - as well as safer. Kudos, Volvo.

The V60's steering (electrically boosted, as is becoming common - to reduce drag on the engine and save a little gas) is very light and while some reviewers don't like that - preferring the more weighted feel of the BMW's steering - it does make the Volvo easier to steer.

And to maneuver - because its turning circle is about a foot less than the BMW wagon's (37.1 feet vs. 38.4 for the BMW).

The gas-engined V60 also has a wider radius of action (so to speak) than the BMW diesel does - 658.6 miles on the highway (with the turbo 2.0 engine) vs. 645 for the 328d. If this seems inexplicable given the diesel BMW's 43 MPG highway rating vs. the Volvo's lesser 37 MPG, it will become explicable when you check out the size of each car's fuel tank. The V60 can carry almost 18 gallons fully loaded while the BMW has a smaller 15 gallon tank.

AT THE CURB

Here's where the V60 comes alive. "Striking" may be going too far, but it is a good-looking car. A Volvo - and a wagon - to be sure. But as sexy and youthful and slick-looking as a wagon can probably be. At least, without becoming some other thing - kind of like Bruce Jenner.

Volvo is now owned by a Chinese conglomerate (Geely) but the Swedish ethos of taut minimalism defines the V60. There are some traditional Volvo cues (including the Austin Powers-esque Oh, Behave! '70s swinger male symbol) the Volvo "shoulders" and clamshell style hood. But a Rainbow Coalition HillaryMobile, this isn't. Let Subaru pick up that slack.

Inside, you'll find real brushed nickel metal accents (scuff plates, door panel rum, gearshifter) and just a little bit of wood to offset that. The rearview mirror is a solid piece of... mirror. With no plastic border/surround. Slick. The dashpad is a bit on the extruded plasticky side - the one less-than-high-end-looking element.

Like the LCD display above it, the center stack controls below it are canted slightly toward the driver. There are four main rotary knobs with a phone-style keypad entry system in between them. It is less inscrutable - and much easier to use on the fly - than some of the mouse-click/swipe-tap system becoming very common not just in higher-end cars but cars generally. I also like the refreshingly retro (in terms of function, not appearance) gearshift lever.

Which is not a lifeless toggle. To engage Drive, you grab it, pull it back and into the appropriate detent. Which you can feel - so it's not necessary to look. Leave it in Drive - or move the level toward you laterally, to the left, and engage Sport (S) mode. Forward - and back - to engage whatever gear you want. This is the way it ought to be. Cars are mechanical things - not iPads.

Because the V60 is lower to the ground than most crossovers, the tailgate does not need electric-assist. It is easy to open and close it manually. The Cross Country's a little higher up, but the same goodness applies.

Volvo offers a clever pop-up cargo organizer that keeps the clutter in check (and your stuff from rolling around). There's slightly less cargo space (43.8 cubic feet with the second row folded) than in the 3 Series wagon (53 cubic feet) but the trick front passenger seat - which folds down - gives the Volvo longitudinal capacity the BMW lacks. Eight-foot 2x4s will fit with the liftgate closed.

The chief objective weakness of the Volvo is its cramped back seats. Just 33.5 inches of legroom back there - which pretty much means that all but short folk and kids not yet in their teens will be sitting with their legs turned sideways - like doing oblique crunches at the gym. The BMW's second row is significantly more accommodating (35 inches of legroom as well as about an inch more headroom (38.3 inches vs. 37.4 for the Volvo). Sexy looks often come at some cost - as here.

But, the Volvo does offer some interesting equipment the BMW doesn't - including an electrically heated front windshield (part of the optional Cold Weather Package, which also gets you heated seats , steering wheel and windshield washer nozzles) built-in child safety seats and a Driver Alertness Monitor that squawks if you start to geeze out behind the wheel.

On the other hand, there's no upgrade to a larger LCD screen (BMW offers an available 8.8 inch display) and the sporty-performance stuff is limited to more aggressive 18 and 19 inch wheel/tire packages (the BMW can be fitted out with lots of "M" high-performance and cosmetic upgrades). While you can buy some Polestar upgrades (Volvo's kinda-sorta-we're-trying answer to BMW M and Mercedes AMG) for the S60 sedan, they're not on the roster for the V60/Cross Country wagons.

THE REST

This is still a Volvo wagon, but it's a very different kind of wagon. Stylish and sporty vs. boxy and utilitarian. But will the 740 set (Volvos traditional demographic) buy in? More to the point, will Volvo be able to lure away the BMW set? That is the $64,000 question.

More performance - and economy - would help. The new Drive-E engine is nice, but why sell it only with FWD? And why not sell the 2.4 liter turbo-diesel Volvo offers in European-spec V60s here?

THE BOTTOM LINE

It's nice that BMW's got some competition - and that people still interested in a wagon finally have more than just one choice.

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www.ericpetersautos.com or EPeters952@aol.com for comments.