Gemini Generated Image qud57pqud57pqud5 scaled

Volvo V60 vs BMW 3 Series Touring?

Quick answer: the Volvo V60, sold in the US exclusively as the lifted V60 Cross Country, is the only one of these two wagons you can currently buy new in America — and production ends in April 2026. The BMW 3 Series Touring has never been sold in the US in its current generation, though BMW has teased a possible future US launch.

TL;DR

  • The Volvo V60 Cross Country is the last new wagon Volvo sells in the US, and 2026 is its final model year — order books already closed in late January 2026.
  • The BMW 3 Series Touring (current G21 generation) has never been officially sold in the US; only the sedan is offered here.
  • BMW has confirmed a next-generation 3 Series Touring is coming, and executives have said US availability is under consideration, but nothing is confirmed and any launch is expected after 2027.
  • If you want a compact luxury wagon new today in the US, the V60 Cross Country is essentially your only mainstream option.
  • Used and gray-market BMW 3 Series Touring models exist but come with real import, titling, and parts-availability complications.

Volvo V60 vs BMW 3 Series Touring: The Basics

This comparison isn’t really apples-to-apples once you factor in availability. The V60 is sold in the US, but only in its rugged, all-wheel-drive Cross Country form — Volvo dropped the standard, lower-riding V60 wagon and the high-performance plug-in hybrid variant, leaving Cross Country as the sole survivor. And that survivor doesn’t have much runway left: Volvo has confirmed production ends in April 2026, with order books already closed and dealer inventory expected to last only a few more months after that.

The BMW 3 Series Touring, meanwhile, simply isn’t part of the US lineup. While the previous-generation F31 Touring was sold stateside years ago, its G21 successor never made the trip, leaving the 330i and M340i sedans as the only 3 Series body styles Americans can buy new.

Quick Tip: If a “BMW 3 Series Touring” listing shows up in a US search, it’s either an import, a European-market article, or coverage of BMW’s future plans — not something available at your local dealer.

Can You Actually Buy a BMW 3 Series Touring in the US?

No — not new, and not officially. The current G21-generation Touring has been Europe (and other markets) only for its entire production run. BMW’s product management has acknowledged that a next-generation 3 Series Touring is coming, and that US availability is being actively discussed, partly because of unexpectedly strong American demand for the larger 5 Series Touring.

But “under consideration” is a long way from a confirmed launch. Recent reporting suggests any new 3 Series Touring is unlikely to arrive before 2027 at the earliest, and even then, BMW has historically limited US wagon sales to low-volume, high-performance models like the M5 Touring.

Real-world scenario: A shopper who wants a 3 Series wagon today, not a maybe-in-2027 possibility, effectively has no legitimate new-car path to one in the US. Gray-market imports exist, but they come with real complications around federal safety/emissions compliance, insurance, and long-term parts support.

What the V60 Cross Country Offers Right Now

This is where the V60 has a massive practical advantage — it actually exists at US dealers. The 2026 V60 Cross Country comes standard with all-wheel drive, powered by Volvo’s B5 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, producing 247 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It reaches 60 mph in about 6.6 seconds and returns an EPA-estimated 26 mpg combined.

It also brings genuine off-pavement capability that no 3 Series, wagon or otherwise, has ever offered: 8.3 inches of ground clearance, an Off Road drive mode, and Hill Descent Control.

Expert Insight: One recent US review found the V60 Cross Country handles like “a proper car rather than an SUV” despite its raised suspension, and noted it beats every other current wagon on fuel economy since the remaining competitors (Audi A6 Allroad, BMW M5 Touring, Mercedes E-Class wagons) are all bigger, heavier, or higher-performance models with correspondingly higher price tags.

Comparison Table

CategoryVolvo V60 (Cross Country)BMW 3 Series Touring
Sold new in US?Yes — through April 2026 production endNo — not offered in current generation
Body style in USLifted, off-road-styled wagon onlyNot applicable
Standard drivetrainAWD, 48V mild hybridN/A (Europe: RWD or xDrive AWD)
US starting price$53,495 (2026 V60 lineup)N/A
Ground clearance8.3 inchesN/A (standard ride height in Europe)
Future US availabilityEnding — Volvo CEO has hinted wagons “might return”Under consideration, unlikely before 2027

Pros and Cons by Buyer Type

The Buyer Who Wants a Wagon Today

  • V60 Cross Country pros: Actually available at US dealers, with all-wheel drive and genuine practicality
  • V60 Cross Country cons: It’s in its final production run, so inventory will only get scarcer
  • 3 Series Touring pros: None — not currently purchasable new in the US
  • 3 Series Touring cons: No legitimate new-car path in the US market at all

The Enthusiast Willing to Wait

  • 3 Series Touring pros: A next-generation model is confirmed to exist, with US availability actively being discussed
  • 3 Series Touring cons: No confirmed timeline, and history suggests BMW may limit any US version to a low-volume performance trim
  • V60 pros: Buying now guarantees you a wagon rather than a maybe
  • V60 cons: Once this generation sells out, Volvo has no confirmed wagon replacement in the US pipeline

The Off-Road-Curious Commuter

  • V60 Cross Country pros: Raised suspension and AWD give it real all-weather and light off-road capability
  • V60 Cross Country cons: Not as sporty on pavement as a lowered performance wagon would be
  • 3 Series Touring pros: Historically offered a lower, more dynamic stance in European markets
  • 3 Series Touring cons: Not relevant for US buyers, since it isn’t sold here

Which Should You Choose?

Choose the V60 Cross Country if you want a new wagon in the US today — this is essentially a “buy it before it’s gone” situation, since production ends in April 2026 and there’s no confirmed successor.

Choose to wait and watch BMW’s announcements if you specifically want a 3 Series-sized Touring and are willing to consider a used import or hold out for a possible future US launch, understanding that could be years away or may never materialize.

Alternative to consider: If you miss the window on the V60 Cross Country, the Audi A6 Allroad is also in its final model year and remains one of the only other wagons near this price point, offering a 335-horsepower V6 and height-adjustable suspension. Choose this if you want more power and don’t mind stepping up in size and price.

FAQ

Is the BMW 3 Series Touring sold in the United States? No. The current-generation 3 Series Touring has never been officially sold in the US — only the 330i and M340i sedans are offered. A future generation is under consideration for US sale, but nothing is confirmed.

Is the Volvo V60 being discontinued? Yes, in the US. The standard V60 wagon and its plug-in hybrid variant have already been dropped, and the remaining V60 Cross Country ends production in April 2026, with order books already closed as of late January 2026.

Will BMW ever sell the 3 Series Touring in the US? It’s possible but unconfirmed. BMW’s product leadership has said US availability is being discussed, citing strong American demand for the larger 5 Series Touring, but any launch is expected no earlier than 2027, if it happens at all.

Can I import a BMW 3 Series Touring to the US myself? Importing a vehicle not certified for US sale involves meeting federal safety and emissions requirements, which can be a complex and costly process depending on the vehicle’s age and specifications. Buyers considering this route should research current import regulations thoroughly before proceeding.

What wagons will still be available in the US after the V60 is gone? Based on current plans, remaining options are limited to higher-priced models like the Audi A6 Allroad (also in its final year), the BMW M5 Touring, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagons — all significantly pricier and, in most cases, larger than the V60.

Key Takeaways

  • The V60 Cross Country is currently the only new wagon a US buyer can actually purchase in this class — and it’s on its way out.
  • The BMW 3 Series Touring has no current US availability; a future generation might arrive, but not before 2027 at the earliest.
  • Volvo’s V60 Cross Country order books already closed in late January 2026, with production ending in April 2026.
  • Remaining US wagon alternatives after the V60 skew significantly higher in price and size.
  • Volvo’s CEO has left the door open to future wagons returning, but nothing is confirmed.

Ready to Start Shopping?

If a new wagon is on your list, check current V60 Cross Country dealer inventory soon — once this generation sells through, there’s no confirmed replacement waiting in the wings.

Similar Posts