Volvo wagons have always been considered the perfect vehicle for the adventurous types. With the brand’s focus on practicality, safety, comfort, and off-road features, models such as the XC70, V90, or XC90, are perfectly suited for bringing you and your family on a great trip. 

Not only that, but Volvo has paved the way for raised station wagons with improved off-road abilities. This segment is now extremely popular with rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain, Audi A6 Allroad, or the Subaru Outback. However, none of them have matched the needs for trailer towing as neatly as Volvo. 

This article will look at the best Volvo wagons and reveal the three models that are perfect for trailer towing. All listed models have excellent towing capabilities, and in addition, they are also great off the paved roads.

Volvo XC70

One of the best Volvo wagons for towing is the Volvo XC70. Produced in two generations between 2000 and 2016, it has gained a significant fan base and became a popular wagon thanks to its unique mix of characteristics. The model is based on the V70, and in comparison, it is fitted with an off-road pack that features plastic protective panels on the exterior, as well as an increased ground clearance. The damping in this model has also been altered with softer springs.

There is no need to talk about the recognizable boxy design, which made the XC70 extremely practical, nor the premium interior and great reliability. These are all reasons why the model is so popular on the used market, and why a great community revolves around all Volvo models and station wagons in particular.

The second generation of this model started its life in 2008 and is a slightly better option for towing. It offers a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds across all drivetrains, which is 200 pounds extra compared to the original XC70. In combination with the potent engines, this vehicle makes towing a breeze in both generations.

The drivetrains are also the main advantage of the older XC70s over the V90 model, which replaced it. While the V90 has been subject to downsizing and features only 2.0L I4 engines, the first generation XC70s were all offered with the famous Volvo 5-cylinder engines. Mind you, Volvo has a long history of producing some of the spiciest inline-4 engines out there, but a 5-pot might have been a better choice for towing. The gasoline engines peaked at 250 hp and 266 lb.-ft of torque from just 1,800 RPMs with the T5 model. While the top of the line 2.4L diesel engine achieved only 185 hp in comparison, it might be even better for towing with its increased torque of 295 lb.-ft and a much better fuel economy.

The second generation of this Volvo wagon has offered a wider range of engines, starting with an I4 2.0L gasoline engine, but due to its low performance, it is not the best for towing. Instead, you should search for T5 and D5 engine variants, which are a great match between power and reliability. 

There was also the T6, which was the only drivetrain to offer six cylinders. While the top model is rated at over 300 horsepower and 300 lb.-ft of torque, its fuel economy is not the best, and it gets only worse when a trailer is attached. If you disregard this, then it is a powerful towing machine.

Volvo V90

The Volvo V90 is the largest wagon offered by Volvo and is positioned in the midsize segment. It was first introduced in 2016 when it practically replaced the previously offered V70 and XC70. Since then, the V90 has gained significant popularity. It feels extremely luxurious and offers at least the same level of comfort and features as the German premium competition. Yet, the Volvo is significantly more affordable.

However, it is not all sunshine and rainbows. With slow sales of the V90 on the US market, Volvo has decided to cancel the base model. Thankfully, the Cross Country version of the V90 will be kept even for the following model years, and frankly, the Cross Country, with its offroad styling, is the more versatile hauler anyways.

The Cross Country is available with a gasoline 2.0L I4 that offers 295 hp and 310 lb.-ft of torque. The engine is always paired to an Aisin automatic transmission with eight gears and an all-wheel drive. This gives the Volvo wagon quite good predispositions for towing. With more than enough power, the model is designed for a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. 

To make your life even easier, the V90 is equipped with 360-degree cameras which make attaching a trailer as simple as it gets. The hitch ball is electrically retractable, and so can be neatly hidden under the bumper when not in use, and you will not get yourself dirty while operating it. For improved safety, this Volvo wagon is equipped with Trailer Light Check, which is a system that notifies you when any of the trailer lights are not working.

With regard to everyday usage, the V90 behaves very relaxed, and its adaptive suspension is set relatively soft. This means that it leans into corners a bit but makes long drives even more comfortable. Another positive is that the rear suspension is self-leveling and adjusts its height automatically. 

The cabin is well soundproofed and even on highways, the Volvo keeps pace with the quietest luxury sedans. There is no need to talk about the interior of the V90 in detail, as even the previously offered base model featured the most premium materials and a sleek modern design. The vehicle offers almost 20 cubic feet of boot space, which can be increased to over 53 cubic feet with the second row of seats folded down.

Volvo V60

The V60 is the smallest Volvo wagon on this list, yet it is a neat car for towing. It can’t haul as much as the previously mentioned models, as it is rated for towing capacity of 2,000 lbs., but that is the price you pay for a more compact chassis. The V60 is positioned against premium vehicles such as the BMW 3-Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

This model has replaced the previously offered Volvo V50, with which it shares many characteristics, and so if you are looking to spend less money, the V50 is a safe choice for a smaller, yet capable Volvo wagon. It offers an identical towing capacity, and a large variety of engines, which also feature the beloved Volvo 5-cylinders. On a lower budget, the first generation of the V60, which debuted in 2011, is also a viable option, while being significantly more modern. All Volvo wagons are simply good! They have always been favored for their practicality and pulling power. 

Now back to the currently offered second generation V60. This model is a great package, and with a starting price of just over $46,000, you could not ask for a better offer, as you will be getting a rugged Cross Country model, which is more practical than most SUVs. 

With a ground clearance of 8.2 inches, this Volvo wagon is just as capable off the road as the Volvo XC60 SUV, and you will be able to get your camper through unpaved roads in impressive comfort. It is powered by a modern 2.0L I4 gasoline engine which has plenty of pulling power with its 250 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft of torque. In addition, it is paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission, which ensures optimal RPMs in all conditions, and as a proper vehicle for demanding and off-road usage, it is equipped with all-wheel drive as standard.

As a modern vehicle, advanced safety and comfort features are to be expected. Nonetheless, you might be surprised by how convenient camper towing is with this Volvo wagon. The hitch ball is electronically retractable, and with high-resolution 360-degree cameras, backing up to your camper precisely is not an issue at all. For towing on bad roads, the car is equipped with hill descent control and an off-road drive mode.

Overall, the V60 Cross Country is simply an extremely versatile vehicle, as it combines off-road, towing, luxury, practicality, and comfort into one neat package. Not only that, but with its smaller size, the vehicle performs better than the larger Volvo wagons when used as a city car.

Buy Them While You Can

As you can see, Volvo wagons are quite capable towers despite the brand’s recent shift to four-cylinder engines only. Furthermore, they offer original design, soothing comfort, and a reliability that is supported by high quality parts. However, with the increasing popularity of EV vehicles, Volvo has decided to go fully electric by 2030. 

While electric vehicles are great in some respects, they suffer from great power inefficiencies when used for heavy towing. The technology will progress but as of now, EVs cannot match conventional vehicles in this use case scenario. If you are looking to buy a capable Volvo station wagon, do it while you can. Volvo has already introduced its first fully electric model last year, and conventionally powered Volvos will begin to be phased out.