Even though Volvo didn’t come out with a Cross Country version of the V60 until six years after Audi launched the A4 Allroad, both of these off-road-focused monikers offer plenty of meaning to rugged wagon fans.
Volvo pride themselves with having “invented” the original premium off-road wagon in the first-generation V70 XC, also referred to as the V70 Cross Country. This took place in 1997, when the car made its motor show debut in Frankfurt.
Two years later, Audi took the C5 A6 Avant and created the A6 Allroad Quattro, boasting an advanced air suspension system, increased ground clearance, larger wheels, plastic fender cladding and so on.
Then, about halfway through the second-generation V70’s run, Volvo rebranded the XC version as the XC70 in order for it to sound closely related to what was then the newly introduced XC90 SUV.
Today, the rivalry between the two monikers has trickled down to smaller estate models, such as the V60 for Volvo and the A4 Avant for Audi, albeit the latter was launched as the Allroad in early summer of 2009, a good six years ahead of the first-gen V60 Cross Country.
Which of them is more rugged?
Enough history, let’s talk aesthetics, because these two wagons are seriously handsome.
Whichever angle you start with, there’s no denying the fact that the all-new V60 Cross Country and the A4 Allroad look different as far as design language is concerned. They both have similar purposes and you’d probably have a tough time explaining why one would be better than the other from a technical standpoint, but visually, it will probably take you a split second to decide which one you like more.
To simplify, Audi fans will probably go with the Audi, whereas Volvo fans (and possibly everyone else), would point to the V60 CC as the winner here. It’s arguably the more stylish of the two and it looks pretty darn rugged. But if you’d rather have the Allroad, that’s perfectly understandable – notice how its wheel arch cladding is more prominent than on the V60? Some buyers might like that.
Swedish style vs. German class
Deciding which interior you like best should be pretty straight forward too. The two models feature identical cabins with their regular wagon counterparts, which means that in the end it comes down to available on-board tech and overall dashboard design.
We won’t assume which one would get the most votes, but if we’re being fair, we’d say that both models have really high-quality cabins, and while the A4’s might look a little more contemporary, the simple yet elegant ambiance of the V60’s interior can’t be overlooked.
Sound off below and tell us which of the two you think is a better looking car and why.
