The most important thing to remember about the currently available Volvo V60 Cross Country is that it’s a transitional product. It’ll be replaced by the all-new V60 in 2018. If you want to have a look at what to expect from that car, the 2018 XC60 should give you some hints.

The V60 was launched in 2010, arriving to America four years later as the raised V60 Cross Country, featuring Volvo’s freshly developed four-cylinder turbo drivetrain. Yet the chassis of this car comes from Ford’s previous ownership of Volvo, upgraded here with a four-wheel drive system and an eight-speed automatic with a mechanical linkage. It’s a good base with perfectly set up damping and minimal understeer.

The T5 engine’s 246 horsepower is also enough to move this 3999 lbs. car reasonably quickly, despite the gearbox’s programming being rather lazy. Interestingly, you can get more revs out of the gears if you do a brake hold start, launching from around 2300rpm. Unless you do that very often, this single-turbo engine will also return at least 25mpg.

The biggest selling point of the V60 Cross Country of course is that it still looks like a car, despite being just as capable as the CUVs and small SUVs people seem to be in love with nowadays. What’s more, it’s a handsome wagon with lots of cargo space and Volvo’s very comfortable leather seats. Granted, it comes with an awfully complicated (and old) center console, but overall, it’s still a nice car to drive day after day. Dated or not, it feels well-built and as safe as a family hauler can get.

What will the 2019 Volvo V60/Cross Country offer on top of what you can get today? A miles better interior, a sharper exterior and even more active safety features.