The article was originally produced on August 17, 2018, some facts and prices may have changed since then.
The V60 is Volvo's latest addition to the new model range and is ready to move into homes and houses around our long country.
Right now, the company from Torslanda on the Swedish west coast is doing everything right. The new V60 is the latest model that looks to renew the entire design language of Volvo, which began with the XC90 just over four years ago.
What we are talking about is the new era of Volvo since Chinese Geely took over ownership after Ford. A pure success story that lifted the brand to new levels on all levels. I went to Tarragona south of Barcelona in Spain to take a look and test drive this new manor wagon from Sweden.
V60- a safe and fun family member that no one will tire of
The first thing that strikes you when you see the new V60 is its resemblance to its larger sibling, the V90. Of course, this is no coincidence either, as almost all car brands work in this way nowadays and that you must clearly see the family ties between different models.
The main difference between the V60 and the V90 is the length and that the V60 is slightly shorter. To take full advantage of this, the line on the tailgate has therefore been made more sloping on the V60 than on the V90. This means that you get more cargo space in the V60 without losing important space for those in the back seat despite the shorter wheelbase.
In comparison, the new one swallows just over 100 litres more compared to what the previous generation V60 managed
Another detail for the sharp-eyed is that the ribs in the grill have two folds in comparison to the completely bent one on the V90. A detail Örjan Sterner, responsible for the exterior design together with the chief designers, proudly shows off the car that is lined up in the foyer of the hotel.
The interior now has the same stylish layout as the other new Volvo models with the vertical infotainment screen in the centre of the dashboard. The new thing about the system called "Sensus" is that the V60 can now be constantly connected.
Of course, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also compatible with the system. On each side of the screen there are large oblong fan exhausts with a nice finish. The knobs for controlling the flow of fresh air are made of brushed aluminium and feel solid when you touch them.
The interior gives a solid feel and has a really nice finish​​​​​​​
One thing that has changed significantly in car interiors in recent years is the quality feel when using wood panels. Previously, these felt just plastic and, especially for younger buyers, not particularly attractive. But now they have clearly found the right on this front.
With a raw and matt surface, wooden panels nowadays actually feel like they are made of wood and not imitation plastic. In the New V60, there are very nice panels along the dashboard and on the console between the front seats that act as shutter covers for the spaces around the gear lever.
Being dynamic when talking about new car models is incredibly important these days. A car must fulfil much more than just moving people and things from A to B. Of course, the new V60 is no exception and people talk far and wide that this is a car for the person who likes to drive actively.
A well-developed chassis with powerful powertrains is available. Of course, even the models with less powerful powertrains and hybrid solution will also be experienced as fun behind the wheel. On the roads around Tarragona and up towards the Montserrat mountain, the V60 really shows that it is dynamic.
Despite the semi-dry road surface and tight curves, the car is never perceived as anxious or difficult to control. The model available for the test drive was the T6 AWD Inscription, which is the strongest and most well-equipped of the versions. The petrol engine with 310 horses and four-wheel drive is, to say the least, a joy in all situations. The big seller for the Swedish homes, however, will probably be the front-wheel drive diesel versions with the designation D3 or D4.
Another thing Volvo likes to talk about is the self-driving function, which primarily and best works on motorways. Here you can switch on the "Pilot Assist" system, which is now in its third generation. Now the system can control the car even when the road becomes curvier as well as accelerate and brake at speeds of up to 130 km/h. However, you must keep one hand on the wheel just in case. When it comes to safety in particular, Volvo is a world leader.
The "City Safety" system has been improved and one of the new functions is that the system can detect if a possible frontal collision is about to occur and thus slow down the car to reduce damage.
Another function in the safety system, which is however an option, is "Cross Traffic Alert" which warns the driver when backing out of, for example, parking spaces and if there is oncoming traffic.
With the new V60, Volvo is once again setting a new bar for what it wants to achieve in the automotive world. A safe and fun family member that no one will tire of.
Volvo V60 T6 AWD
Basic price | From SEK 317,000 (diesel) |
Engine | 2-litre transverse four with turbo and supercharger. Petrol. Power: 310 hp. Torque 400 Nm |
Transmission | Front engine, 8-speed Geartronic automatic, four-wheel drive |
Acceleration | 0-100 in 5.8 seconds |
Top speed | 250 km/h |
Fuel consumption mixed driving according to the manufacturer | 0.70 l/mile |
Weight | 1,824 kilos |
Guarantees | New car 2 years, wagon damage 3 years, 12 years rust |
Web | www.volvo.se |