Volvo V60 | Review

The V60 isn’t the freshest face in the compact executive segment but it still holds its own against rivals.

Overview

When Volvo kicked off the revitalisation of its model range in 2015, with the launch of the XC90, it became a genuine challenger brand for the premium-segment leaders.

The V60 arrived in 2018, alongside the S60 saloon, before both were canned in mid-2023.

At the time, Volvo wanted to become an SUV-only brand in the UK but fleet demand for estate cars remained significant enough for the company to reverse its decision in the summer of 2024. The V60 was re-introduced to price lists exactly as it was before.

Only minor tweaks have been applied to the car since it initially launched, with a new Google-based infotainment system and upgraded plug-in hybrid powertrains being the most prominent.

It has Volvo’s (now) familiar face and light signature and interior layout, shared with the larger V90.

Since its re-launch, the V60 line up is limited to two trim levels and three engine options. The cheapest model has a mild-hybrid petrol engine and costs £43,940. Fleet customers are most likely to choose one of the two plug-in hybrid options, which start from £51,310. Entry-level Plus models come with plenty of kit, while Ultra grade cars come with every available extra.

Comfort and practicality

As a compact executive estate the V60 needs to fulfil two distinct briefs: it needs to be a comfortable mile-muncher with a sporty edge and a practical load-lugger that’s family friendly.

With its supportive and figure-hugging seats, low slung driving position and high-quality interior, the V60 certainly fits the first one. Volvo’s interiors are beautifully crafted and exceptionally well laid out. The raised centre console cocoons the driver and provides an armrest along with two cupholders and a wireless phone charging pad.

It feels less cramped than the cockpit of a BMW 3 Series, while build quality is just as impressive.

When it comes to practicality, the V60 continues to impress. Boot volume is 519 litres m which is more than you get in either a 3 Series Touring or a Mercedes C-Class Estate.

More impressively, the V60 plug-in hybrid models lose no boot space, while both rivals do. You can fold the seats flat to the floor, in a 60:40 split, for up to 1,431 litres of load capacity.

There is also a folding flap in the boot floor, which can be used to secure smaller items and stop them from sliding around.

Leather upholstery comes as standard, along with heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel and a heated windscreen.

Safety and technology

Volvo was one of the first car brands to adopt a largely button-less cabin and, to date, it’s one of the only brand’s that has managed it successfully. The central infotainment screen may be small by modern standards, at nine inches in diameter, but it’s perfectly placed on the dashboard to it falls to hand.

The interface is really simple and easy to use. Climate controls occupy the bottom section and remain on-screen all the time. The sat-nav, media and phone options occupy tiles on the home screen, making them straightforward to operate.

Google Maps is the default navigation app and music streaming services, like Spotify, are also built-in. While there is Apple Carplay and Android Auto, you don’t really need them.

The only controls that are a little annoying to access are the drive modes and hybrid system settings. You can’t reach them directly from the home screen, only through the settings menu.

Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and front and rear anti-collision braking comes as standard. So does parking sensors and a back-up camera. The Ultra gets Pilot Assist, which includes lane centring on the motorway, and a 360-degree parking camera.

The lane departure warning system is fairly unintrusive and we had no issues leaving it switched on while driving. Speed limit assist can be disabled, easily, by holding a button on the steering wheel for two seconds.

Driveability and efficiency

The V60 mild hybrid is known as the B4. It’s a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a small hybrid system. The engine develops 197PS and has CO2 emissions from 143g/km.

Performance is potent, with 0-62mph taking less than eight seconds. The B4 returns around 35mpg in normal driving, with an official combined figure of 41 – 44mpg.

There are two versions of the plug-in hybrid, both using the same petrol engine as the B4. This time it’s paired with an electric motor that powers the rear axle, meaning all-wheel-drive.

A 14.7kWh (useable) battery provides a zero emission range of up to 57 miles. In our testing we found close to 50 miles was possible from a full charge.

The T6 produces 350PS, while the T8 has 455PS. In either guise, the V60 is rapid. The T6 can hit 62mph in just 5.4 seconds, while the T8 manages it in 4.6. With the combined force of the engine and motor, mid-range acceleration is just as potent, making the V60 much much faster than its key competitors.

There’s plenty of agility in the chassis, too. The V60 won’t disappoint keen drivers, with direct steering and good body control. Ride quality errs on the firm side, mitigating body roll, but the V60 is never harsh to the point of being uncomfortable.

At motorway speeds the V60 feels relaxed and stable, making it ideal for lengthy journeys. We noticed, however, a little more tyre noise from the rear than we’d have liked.

Company car tax and running costs

The V60 might be getting on a bit but it can still hold its own against newer rivals. If we focus on the T6 plug-in hybrid, as the most sensible company car choice, it comes better equipped and offers more performance than the equivalent BMW 330e Touring, for only a modest uplift in price. The T8 is only available in the Ultra trim, costing £57,760, but has no direct rivals owing to its massive power output.

Both the T6 and T8 attract a 9% benefit-in-kind (BiK) tax rate for the 2025/26 tax year. For the £51,310 T6 Plus that means monthly bills of £76 for a 20% taxpayer.

Running costs are slightly higher than the BMW’s, at 52ppm versus 50ppm, but match those of the C300e. The V60 also has the lowest SMR costs of the trio.