Devon test drives a Volvo wagon (used)

It was a sad day when Volvo decided the only wagon it was going to offer here in the U.S. was the XC70 which was more of a crossover rather than a wagon. Now those days are long gone and the new V60 is here. Can Volvo bring the popularity back of the wagon?

There are three engines to choose from. Drive-E trim uses a 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 240hp. T5 AWD gets a 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder producing 250hp while top of the range T6 uses a 3-liter turbocharged six-cylinder producing 325hp. Pick of the range is the T5 AWD. All-wheel-drive is standard and it's not really that much more than the T5 Drive-E trim. Plus it's still less expensive than the 3-series touring.

Sadly the V60 just isn't as much fun to drive as a 3-series touring. Body control and handling are good but not great. The ride can be firm a bit on some road surfaces, but this is far from annoying. We strongly suggest avoiding the top of the range T6 trim with sports suspension. It really does make the V60 feel more sporty but the ride comfort is way too firm. Steering is often vague and leaves us wanting a little more especially in corners where we find ourselves re-adjusting. Wind and road noise won't be an issue with the V60. It's quiet and smooth even on the highway. The turbo engines are smooth at relaxed speeds around town and on the highway.

Volvo knows a thing or two about interior decor. The floating center console is classy and well designed. Plus all the controls are logically laid out and very user friendly. The seats offer plenty of support and comfort with plenty of adjustment for the steering wheel. Some could say Volvo seats are the best in the industry. Passengers in the rear will have plenty of space too. Although the middleman will find it rather cramped for foot space due to the large transmission tunnel. The boot space is decent too but trades space for style.

At least all V60s come a nice array of standard kit. Alloy-wheels, cruise control, climate control and Bluetooth are standard. Automatic headlights and wipers are standard as well. You'll have to step up the the top of the range trim which adds body-kit unique exterior styling and interior treatment. You'll find yourself wondering is the V60 worth paying for when you can buy cheaper crossovers? The answer is simple, if you want something more engaging to drive and really don't want to pay the running costs associate with most crossovers. The V60 is the way to go plus resale value should be decent too as Volvo has been on an upswing in popularity.

It's classy and well crafted. Plus it's the best form of a Volvo you can buy. The Volvo V60 has it all. It may not be as engaging to drive as the 3-series touring but it really does offer a convincing case. It's cheaper, offers more kit and arguably the better buy. Volvo does know a thing or two about wagons and it's great to see the wagon is back in the U.S.

Likes: Array of turbo engines to choose from. Safety is top priority. Swedish excellence inside and out.

Dislikes: Steering feedback is on the numb side.

Devon's Choice: The T5 AWD is the best pick. The standard all-wheel-drive and turbocharged five-cylinder offer an compelling reason to consider this. Plus its price makes it hard for us not to pick this one.

A bite of the forbidden fruit.

Volkswagen Bluemotion
What is it? An ultra fuel efficient line of vehicles. With emissions ratings lower than a hybrid. With improved aerodynamics to lower drag coefficiency and other fuel efficient technologies used in sports cars to improve fuel economy.
Why is it illegal? U.S. has strict emissions standards on diesel engines. This makes it harder for European Automakers to design diesel engines for the U.S.



Fiat Panda 4X4

What is it? Based upon a small car called the Panda that's sold everywhere but the U.S.

Why it should be sold here? It's a cheap alternate to a Jeep. With better gas mileage. The small size with short overhangs means its great off-road. This car can climb a 35-degree incline. With a few extra horsepower, it can tackle a Land Rover off-road.



Audi A1
What is it? Audi's Mini Cooper fighter.

Why should it be sold here? It's a Mini Cooper with a splash of style inside out. The interior is upscale Audi and the price is very low. It's perfect for congested urban areas.



BMW 1-series
What is it? A hatchback version of the 1 Series coupe.

Why should it be sold here? Other than the affordable base price, the 1-series hatch is rear wheel drive. Making it drive just as good as the other BMWs but with more praticality. A perfect rival to the Volkwagen GTI and Subaru Impreza.



Mercedes A-class
What is it? A hatchback that's as small as a Honda Fit. But has more versatility than a small MPV.

Why should it be sold here? The A-class should've been sold here under the Smart brand. Sold as the Forfour, Smart would've done way better with this hatchback than the Fortwo.



Alfa Romeo MiTo
What is it? Alfa Romeo's smallest hatchback.

Why should it be sold here? Alfa Romeo has some of the most stylish Italian cars sold. This Mini Cooper fighter will prove to be popular with buyers that are considering the Mini Cooper. Its tasteful and dashed with performance.



Citroen C1
What is it? A car shared with the Toyota Aygo and Peugeot 107.

Why should it be sold here? It's designed to be cheap. All this cost cutting features are unnoticed by the consumer. Its still fun to drive and offers more equipment than a Kia Rio. Plus its stylish a easy to park in the city. High mileage cars should be welcomed in the U.S.

Our favorites (Part one)

Wagon:



Volvo V60

Some may argue that the V60 is just a hatchback as the cargo space is too small compared to the BMW 3-series Touring and it doesn't really have much in terms of rear seat legroom. What we do love about the V60 is how much wagon  you get for your money. Volvo tends to be quite generous when it comes to standard kit and the V60 doesn't disappoint at all. Plus there's a version for everybody. The entry-level Dynamic offers plenty of flexibility, low running costs and decent purchase price. R-Design gets sportier looking styling and a more potent 306hp turbo engine. Top of the range Polestar gets a thumping 362hp turbo engine and of course is the only real high-performance wagon you can option for currently. (We're looking at you BMW.)

Hatchback



VW GTI

The king of the hot hatches continues to be that. It may not have the hooligan appeal that the Focus ST does but for someone looking for hot hatch turn of pace in a classier more refined package, you won't be disappointed with this one. For 2018, Volkswagen has given the GTI a facelift with new LED headlights and restyled infotainment screen. The 2-liter turbo has been pumped up to 220hp and also new snazzy looking alloys are also fitted standard.

Sedan



Kia Optima

When it comes to mid-sized sedans, we think that the Kia Optima is one of the better choices out there. You can choose between three engine options; 2.4 four-cylinder, 1.6-turbo and 2-liter turbo. The 2.4 is the pick of the range as it makes the most sense financially. We do like that Kia offers the 1.6-turbo but it just doesn't really offer much of a benefit in running costs over the 2.4. The top of the range 2-liter turbo doesn't feel as potent as the horsepower figures suggests, but for most buyers looking for a competent mid-sized sedan that's roomy and offers tons of value for the money. Look no further.

Coupe



BMW 2-series

You'd think that opting for the cheapest BMW coupe of the range would be a total penalty box, but it is the complete opposite. You can get the 2-series with two amazing engines (2-liter turbo four 248hp, 3-liter turbo six-cylinder 320hp) and a slick shifting six-speed manual; if you can't drive stick-shift then you can choose a eight-speed automatic which is just as good. The M-tuned version of the 2-series is quite literally the best M car from BMW in a long time. Just because it sits at the entry-level spot in BMW's coupe range doesn't mean that it's a penalty box and of course it can get quite expensive as well.

SUV



Land Rover Discovery

We fell in love with the Discovery when we had it as a rental. It's very comfortable to drive, has plenty of flexibility from both engines and won't disappoint with it's legendary off-road abilities. We'd choose the diesel engine which makes the most sense financially, especially considering that most buyers will do tons of highway driving with their Disco. You can also carry seven-people aboard and opt for uniquely trimmed versions. Land Rover isn't famed for its reliability, but it's very hard to fault it for what it really does bring to the table; in our

Acura TSX Wagon (Look-back review)

The Acura TSX sport wagon is designed and aimed at at those tempted to buy a BMW 3-series touring and Cadillac CTS wagon. It's a better option compared to most crossovers, but is it enough to convince people to consider? 

Performance: There is only one engine available for the TSX sport wagon and that's a 2.4-liter four-cylinder producing 201hp which is the same engine used in Civic SI. It may not offer the same blistering performance as the SI but it does offer decent pace around the town and on the highway. It's a shame that there is only a five-speed auto gearbox offered. A six-speed automatic or manual gearbox would help performance and fuel economy even more.

On the road: The Acura TSX feels comfortable and smooth on the highway. Venture into the city on uneven road surfaces, you'll be greeted with a firm and unsettled ride. Handling is great but is a let down due to the numb steering which ruins the sporty nature of the engine. You won't hear too much wind or road noise thanks to a pretty insulated cabin. The engine feels smooth even when revved hard.

Behind the wheel: The front seats provide comfortable support with good visibility. The dashboard layout isn't very easy to navigate. There are too many similar shaped switches and controls. This makes it impossible to tell apart at a glance. The TSX doesn't have a large boot compared due to the low slung roof and intruding rear suspension. With the seats folded down there's bundles of space to spare.

Equipment: The TSX sport wagon comes with plenty of kit standard. Automatic climate control, Bluetooth and HID headlights are standard. You'll have to step up to the top of the range trim to get navigation system, power tailgate and perforated leather seats.

Buying & owning: The Acura TSX wagon is cheaper to buy than a 3-series Touring and Cadillac CTS wagon. Running costs are also lower thanks to the fuel-efficient engine. Finding one should be a lot easier than both the Cadillac CTS wagon and BMW 3-series touring. If you are considering one you need to act now as the TSX wagon may not be available for long.

Quality & Safety: Acura and Honda share most of their mechanicals. This means that the Acura TSX wagon also has a spectacular reliability record. Interior quality is very good and feels long lasting. Customers have rated the TSX below average for interior quality. This is a let down because it's keenrivals offer much better and classier interiors. Electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes and six-airbags come standard across the range. A lane-change warning system and cruise control that brakes in emergancies are optional. Deadlocks and an alarm system keep theft away.

The TSX wagon offers a fuel efficient engine and tons of equipment standard. It may be cheaper than the BMW 3-series touring and Cadillac CTS wagon, but it doesn't offer a more powerful engine option and/or all-wheel-drive option like the CTS and 3-series. You'll need to act fast if considering one because the TSX wagon may not be in production for long in the U.S. 

Devon's Pick: The base trim of the TSX Sport Wagon is all the TSX you'll ever need. There's enough kit to justify not having to climb into the top of the range which adds a technology package. Unless you desire the navigation system and power tail gate. I highly suggest sticking with the base trim which is pretty much great value for money. 

Likes: Decent peformance with impressive fuel economy. High standard equipment level at a reasonable price.

Dislikes: No turbo or V6 engine option. All-wheel-drive isn't offered either. Acura may discontinue it after 2013.