Yes, an SUV. But one that seems like a wagon—in a good way.

By Gary S. Vasilash

There are certain things that have long been true about automotive journalists, and if they are not true, they are sufficiently well-repeated such that they might as well be.

For example, there is a tendency for them to love diesels, not because any particular positive feelings toward particulates, but because of the low-end torque compression ignition provides. I remember talking to one car critic for a major newspaper (yes, there used to be several) right after the Volkswagen Dieselgate scandal broke and he said that he thought it was outrageous that there should be any penalties because he thought the performance of a diesel-powered vehicle was the most important aspect of things. (“Umm, you don’t think there is a problem with VW having covered up the spew that was coming out of tailpipes,” I asked. “No,” he replied. “You just gotta drive one.” “Erm. . . .”)

Then, of course, there is the auto journo love of manual transmissions. The engagement of driving a vehicle with a manual can be exhilarating—assuming you’re driving on a nice, empty, twisty bit of road with no police in the vicinity. But drive in rush hour traffic in a major metro and you can feel the muscle in your left calf growing as you deal with the clutch. But hey, being an auto journalist often means not working the 9 to 5, so things like rush hours can be given a swerve.

And then there is the deep affection for the station wagon. Now the Volvo XC60 T8 AWD Ultra isn’t a station wagon per se. Volvo has the V60 that is a wagon, but it is reportedly going out of availability in the U.S. But the XC60, while officially described as a midsize SUV, really looks like a wagon. Really. I had an OEM product planner see the XC60 in a parking lot and say to me, “I see you’re driving a wagon.” He said it with such admiration that I could sense a potential in him to become an automotive journalist.

While the vehicle isn’t a wagon, it sure drives like one, by which I mean that most SUVs, because of the way they are architected, generally lack a feeling of litheness. They can be small, medium or large and powerful, but no matter the size, there still tends to be a certain sense of bulk associated with them.

And in the best possible way the XC60 feels like a car—something that too many people have forgotten the sensation of—and I mean a really good car.

And a peppy one at that, because this also happens to be a plug-in hybrid, which not only means that it can drive purely on electricity for up to 35 miles before the 2.0-liter turbocharged four has to kick in, but that the electric motor that supplements the engine helps provide a system output of 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque.

It offers AWD and a smooth eight-speed automatic.

Even a diesel enthusiast should be impressed by the throttle response of a vehicle that can comfortably seat five (OK, there isn’t a middle position in any vehicle on Earth that some is going to call as theirs) and provides cargo capacity of 17.8 cubic feet with the rear seatback up or 63.3 cubic feet when it is folded. (Compared to the non-hybrid XC60 there is a sacrifice of space. However, the non-hybrid gets 26 mpg combined and the T8 Recharge 28 mpg on gas alone as well as the 63 MPGe for those who are diligent in plugging it in in order to get the full advantage of electric-only driving, so that space isn’t given up in vain.)

Of course, Volvo offers a superlative Scandinavian sense to its interiors. In this case the vehicle features a material called “Nordico” for its seats, which seems just like leather but “blends recycled materials and bio-attributed pine resin sourced from sustainably managed forests.” It looks good while doing good.

Of course there is an 11.2-inch infotainment screen for a system with Google-built in, which simply means things like Google Maps, Assistant, and Play Store are “native” to the vehicle’s operating system—but in this case you can use Apple CarPlay, too. There are also a 12.3-inch driver display (a.k.a., gauge cluster) and a head up display to keep your eyes up and forward looking. And in this top-of-the-line trim package there is a top-of-the-line Harmon Karman audio system. A final truism about automotive journalists: they infrequently buy new cars. If they were to get this one it would set them back some $75,000.