Believe it or not, wagons are making a comeback in a big way. No longer are they limited to the wood-paneled machines that had dozens of children piled in the back. These days, wagons offer a pronounced level of luxury and sophistication, as evidenced by the 2021 Volvo V60 and Audi A4 Allroad.
These two luxury wagons have drivers everywhere reimagining what their trips around town could look like. Before they can turn those fantasies into reality though, there’s one important question that must be answered: which one to buy?
Let’s compare the two and see which one offers the most bang for your buck.
How does the Volvo V60 stack up?
Starting at $40,950, the 2021 Volvo V60 offers the ideal combination of functionality and luxury. Sporting a powerful engine, a plethora of standard safety and technology features and enough optional add-ons to meet the requirements of just about any driver, it’s hard to match the bargain that Volvo brought to the market with this model.
Let’s start with the safety features, which are copious even on the standard model. The 2021 Volvo V60 now boasts blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist and automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection. If you’re concerned about protecting yourself and your loved ones, the Volvo V60 is an excellent option to consider.
Now that you know you’ll be safe behind the wheel of the Volvo V60, let’s discuss what’s under the hood. Most models come with the 250-horsepower four-cylinder engine that boasts a 6.4-second 0-to-60 time and 27mpg (combined) fuel economy. The top-of-the-line model, the Recharge T8 Polestar, comes equipped with a hybrid engine packing 415 horsepower and a manually adjustable suspension.
Finally, what interior features set the Volvo V60 apart from the competition? How about a surprisingly spacious cabin, leather upholstery and linear Lime Wood inlays? Or a smart, intuitive infotainment display that makes interactions while driving simple and safe? All of that comes standard with the 2021 Volvo V60, so there’s no concern about missing out on the comforts of modern automotives.
What does the Audi A4 Allroad bring to the table?
Now let’s take a look at one of the Volvo V60’s top competitors, the 2021 Audi A4 Allroad.
This Audi offering starts at $45,645 and boasts a beefy motor, standard all-wheel drive, and all of the technological advances you could want. Unfortunately, there are only three trim levels, allowing for limited flexibility when searching for the perfect fit for your lifestyle.
Speaking of the beefy motor, the Audi A4 Allroad only has one engine option -- but it’s a beast. Offering 261 horsepower, the turbocharged 2L four-cylinder motor also includes a 12-volt hybrid system and seven-speed automatic transmission that makes driving a breeze. On top of that, the estimated mileage is 23mpg in the city and 31mpg on the highway.
The amount of safety technology available on the Audi A4 Allroad is impressive. However, it’s worth noting that only automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection and lane departure warning come standard. You’ll need to drop more of your hard-earned money to get lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control or Audi’s convenience package.
The 2021 Audi A4 Allroad has a simple, practical interior that could be seen as exceptional by some given the leather upholstery and 10.1” infotainment touchscreen display. But compared to the rest of the competition, it falls a bit short. There isn’t significant storage space, and it doesn’t offer as sleek of a design as the Volvo V60.
The verdict
As enticing of an option as the Audi A4 is, the Volvo V60 seems to be the best bet among the two. Offering more engine options, a superior interior and more standard safety features at a lower price, the 2021 Volvo V60 gets our nod of approval as the must-have luxury wagon of the year.
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