The 2015 Volvo V60 is the family vehicle with a twist.  Its styling is sleek with a younger appeal. If you’re looking for something with more storage space than the typical sedan and better fuel economy than what the typical crossover can offer, the V60 is a perfect option. Forget what you think you know about station wagons.

First impressions always matter and the V60 does an excellent job of presenting itself.   The stereotypical station wagons is boxy in appearance, but the Volvo has smoothed over the corners giving the V60 a sporty look. The 19” BOR diamond cut alloy wheels gives the V60 a bold presence. The exterior is especially impressive at night. The sculpted wave brake lights add a sexy appeal to what those would normally refer to as a “Mom” car. Besides, moms drive crossovers now.

On the inside, you’re welcomed by supple off-black leather sport seats. The contoured seats make even the long rides exceptionally comfortable . The interior has an seamless feel, nothing felt out of place on the elegant waterfall console. The adjustable gauge cluster themes give the driver a more customizable driving experience. Volvo’s entertainment system, Sensus, is relatively easy to use once you familiarize yourself with its menus and shortcuts. Unfortunately, on a few occasions Sensus would not read an iPod through the USB unless the car was restarted. Safety and security is an area where the Volvo really shines. The Cross Traffic Alert system is very sharp and works wonders in busy parking lots. It was especially helpful when stuck between two large SUVs.

The V60 maintains its competitive edge in regards to ride and engine quality. Although it does have the sport chassis and 19” wheels, its ride was forgiving on any road surface. There was some noticeable tire noise due to the larger tires that are accompanied by the Sport Package. The sport chassis aids in handling and gives the driver added confidence behind the wheel. It doesn’t ride like a crossover, and it defies its wagon looks with sedan-like handling. Fuel economy exceeded expectations—during stints of highway driving it managed the target 37 mpg with an overall 30 mpg average. Our tester, the T5 Drive-E is front wheel drive. The V60 is equipped with a new 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 240 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. It’s a feisty engine that doesn’t produce much engine noise. It’s also a new addition to Volvo’s “Drive-E” engine line which focuses on overall efficiency. Opting for the T5 AWD adds two more drive wheels and brings a larger 2.5L turbocharged five-cylinder engine with 10 more horsepower. The top trim T6 AWD R-Design makes 325hp from a 3.0L turbocharged V6.

I challenge those who think station wagons are boring to get behind the wheel of one. There are parking lots filled with crossovers, but you’ll struggle to find a crossover that can match the Volvo V60 for driving dynamics. By not carrying around the extra weight, the V60 packs in a whopping 43.8 cubic feet of cargo space, the space of a crossover, without the marginal gas mileage. For us, the wagon is a healthy alternative to crossovers: the original, the organic. The 2015 Volvo V60 is all of that.

-Danielle Assenheimer