- P11D Value: £35,410
- BIK band 2018/19: 30%
- Mid-size premium estate
- 2.0-litre 4-cylinder diesel 150hp/320Nm
- Performance: 9.9secs/118mph
- Economy (On test) 47.8mpg
- CO2: 120g/km
What is it?
It’s the second generation of Volvo’s premium mid-size estate built on the brand’s own SPA (Scalable Product Architecture) platform which also underpins the S90, V90, XC60 and XC90 as well as the S60.
It is powered exclusively by Volvo’s fuel efficient Drive-Engines and despite being the brand’s smallest estate it as the largest boot of any of its direct segment rivals along with one of the biggest cabins in its class.
The R Design version we tried comes with sporty high-gloss black exterior detailing, bolstered sports seats and alloy wheels. A lowered sports suspension and gearshift paddles to accompany the auto version on test.
Price for the R-Design is £35,410 while the range kicks off at £32,410 for the D3 Momentum manual.
Why would you want a Volvo V60?
Why would you want a Volvo V60?- Best is class residual values
- Interior space
- Big 529-litre cargo area increasing to 1,441-litres with the rear seats folded
- Volvo’s legendary safety equipment and reputation
- Comfortable ride
- Good fuel economy from the diesel
- Connectivity and entertainment technology
What might put you off a Volvo V60?
What might put you off a Volvo V60?- USB port could be better positioned and it would be nice to have more of them
- My issue with the sat-nav (see below)
- Apple CarPlay and AndroidAuto not standard on all models
Verdict on the Volvo V60
Verdict on the Volvo V60As you can see from the above, there’s not a lot not to like about the V60.
R-Design is the V60’s top selling UK trim level and our test car was equipped with the 150hp D3 4-cylinder diesel engine while most punters opt for the more powerful 190hp D4.
Both are 2.0-litre units and to be frank there is not really the need for the additional power from the D4 as the D3 is perfectly adept.
It also gives you slightly better fuel economy which Volvo’s WLTP figures claim 45.6 to 51.4mpg for the auto box – and we got 47.8 over 500-odd miles.
R-Design versions come with a 12mm lower, sports suspension with stiffer springs, faster responding monotube dampers, thicker anti-roll bars.
This makes for more dynamic handling but it does so without compromising ride comfort. If you’re that concerned, you can go for the optional adaptive dampers which allows you to select the firmness of the suspension.
There certainly seems no shortage of power when you need acceleration and the Volvo sits snuggly on the road and around the bends.
The ride soaks up some of the rougher surfaces while always giving you a good feel for what’s going on.
Inside, the V60 is nicely laid out and if you happen to hop from one Volvo to another, then you’ll find it all very familiar.
Centrally placed is the tablet-size screen which can be swiped between menus – very easy to use and intuitive.
Now this may be me, but I couldn’t get the sat-nav to guide me to a postcode. However, it will get you to an address via voice control.
The 9-inch touchscreen is shaped in portrait rather than landscape and as well as swipe there is pinch and zoom as well. As well as telling it where you want to go, you can also tell it to adjust the temperature, what music you want to play or who you want to call.
In terms of price the V60 is no more expensive the German premiums but it does come with a lot more equipment as standard.
The Volvo is also very competitive if you are going down the PCP or leasing route.
Residual values are good which is great news three years down the line if you are selling on or coming to the end of the lease.
For SMEs the car stacks up well against rival Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz models, certainly keeping its resale value as well as them.
Oddly the D3 variant’s CO2 emissions are no better than the D4 which probably makes the more powerful model rather more tempting for company car drivers.
Looking at CO2 and fuel economy, the Volvo does offer savings over its German rivals.
What else?
- R -design will also be available in petrol-electric T8 Twin Engine hybrid form in addition to the petrol and diesel
- It’s built alongside the V90, XC60 and XC90 at Volvo’s Torslanda factory in Gothenburg, Sweden
- Sales split is around 65% fleet, 35% retail
- Voice control understands more than 300 naturally spoken instructions of phrases.
