Volvo B60 2020 review

The Volvo V60 perhaps best demonstrates how far Volvo has come in recent years. Why? Because it's not an SUV - it's a station wagon. This is a modern counterargument to the XC40 and XC60 models that have impressed many over the past few years.

But is there room for a midsize Volvo station wagon? One that sits low to the ground and isn't as boxy as the old ones?

Read on to find out.

Volvo V60 2020: T5 lettering
Safety Rating
engine's type	2.0 L turbo
fuel type	Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel efficiency	7.3l / 100km
Landing	5 Places
Price from	$49,900

Is there anything interesting about its design? 9/10

Come on. Admit it. Volvo station wagons are sexy. 

Look at the V60 in front of you - you can't tell me it's not one of the prettiest cars on the road. Well actually, you can tell me - do it in the comment section below.

We had a car on the test of the middle class T5 Inscription, and the color is called "Birch".

We had a car on the test of the middle class T5 Inscription, and the color is called "Birch". It's a beautiful color that helps the V60's slender lines stand out and harmonize at the same time. 

All models have LED lighting across the range, and Volvo's "Thor's Hammer" Volvo theme also adds a bit of aggression.

The rear matches the boxy Volvo station wagon you'd expect, and in fact it almost looks like an XC60 SUV from the back. I like it and I like what it offers.

All models have LED lighting throughout the range.

It fits well with its size, in most dimensions it is identical to the S60 sedan. Its length is 4761 mm, the wheelbase is 2872 mm, the height is 1432 mm (only 1 mm higher than that of the sedan), and the width is 1850 mm. This makes it 126mm longer (96mm between the wheels), 52mm lower but 15mm narrower than the outgoing model, and built on the brand's new scalable product architecture that is the same foundation as the top-of-the-line XC90 to XC40 entry class. .

The interior design of the V60 is familiar to Volvo over the past three to four years. Take a look at the photos of the interiors below.

How practical is the interior space? 8/10

The Swedish brand's current interior design language is premium, chic, but not sporty. And that's completely normal.

The interior of the V60 is a pleasure to look at.

The interior of the V60 is a pleasure to look at, and all the materials used are luxurious, from the wood and metal pieces used on the dash and center console to the leather on the steering wheel and seats. There are some lovely touches like the knurled finish on the engine starter and other controls.

The Swedish brand's current interior design language is premium, chic, but not sporty.

The 9.0-inch vertical tablet-style multimedia display is familiar, and while it might take a week of driving to figure out how the menus work (you have to swipe side to side for a detailed side menu, and there's a home button down at the bottom, just like a real tablet ), I find it mostly very convenient. However, I think the fact that you control ventilation (air conditioning, fan speed, temperature, air direction, heated/cooled seats, heated steering wheel, etc.) through the screen is a little annoying. However, the anti-fogging buttons are just buttons.

The 9.0-inch vertical tablet-style multimedia display is familiar and I found it mostly very comfortable.

The volume knob below serves as a play/pause trigger, and you also get steering wheel controls.

Cabin storage is fine, with cupholders between the seats, a covered center compartment, bottle holders in all four doors, and a rear fold-down armrest with cupholders. But it doesn't have as much intelligence as, say, a Skoda station wagon.

Now. The car is a bit. The best beat ever!

The V60 wagon is clearly a more practical choice than the S60 sedan, with 529 liters of cargo space (the S60 still has a decent 442 liters of trunk). The rear seats fold down into a flat floor for extra space, and there's a clever baffle that can be installed to keep things from moving around in the trunk. The opening is a good size, wide enough to easily load luggage or a stroller. The boot can handle the bulky Cars Guide a stroller and a large suitcase nearby, and there is still room.

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 9/10

The V60 station wagon line is attractively priced, with entry-level options falling short of some well-known competitors. 

The starting point is the V60 T5 Momentum, which is priced at $56,990 plus travel expenses ($2000 more than the similar S60 sedan). Momentum has 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and taillights, a 9.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, plus DAB+ digital radio, keyless entry, auto-dimming rearview mirror, auto-dimming, and auto-folding wing. -mirrors, dual-zone climate control and natural leather trim on the seats and steering wheel. It also gets a power liftgate as standard.

The T5 Inscription costs $62,990.

The next model in the lineup is the T5 Inscription which is priced at $62,990. It adds a host of extras: 19-inch alloy wheels, directional LED headlights, four-zone climate control, a head-up display, a 360-degree parking camera, park assist, wood trim, ambient lighting, heating. front seats with cushion extensions and a 230 volt outlet in the rear console.

Volvo V60 T5 Inscription gets 19-inch alloy wheels.

Upgrading to the T5 R-Design gives you more grunts (info in the engine section below), and there are two options available - the T5 petrol ($66,990) or the T8 plug-in hybrid ($87,990).

Optional equipment for R-Design variants includes "Polestar optimization" (custom suspension tuning from Volvo Performance division), 19" alloy wheels with a unique look, Sporty exterior and interior design package with R-Design sport leather seats, paddle shifters . on the steering wheel and metal mesh in the interior trim.

There are several packages you can add to your V60 if you so desire, including the Lifestyle Package (with panoramic sunroof, tinted rear window and 14-speaker Harman Kardon stereo), Premium Package (panoramic sunroof, tinted rear glass and Bowers and Wilkins with 15 speakers) and Luxury Pack R-Design (nappa leather trim, light headlining, power adjustable side bolsters, front massage seats, heated rear seat, heated steering wheel).

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10

All Volvo V60 models run on gasoline, but there is a model that adds electricity to this. Diesel is not available this time.

Three-quarters of the model range is equipped with the T5 engine, which is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. However, the T5 offers two setting states.

Three-quarters of the model range is equipped with the T5 engine, which is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

Momentum and Inscription get lower trim levels - with 187kW (at 5500rpm) and 350Nm (1800-4800rpm) of torque - and use an eight-speed automatic transmission with permanent all-wheel drive (AWD). The claimed acceleration time of this transmission to 0 km / h is 100 seconds.

The R-Design model uses a more powerful version of the T5 engine, with 192kW (at 5700rpm) and 400Nm of torque (1800-4800rpm). All the same eight-speed automatic, all the same all-wheel drive and a little faster - 0-100 km / h in 6.4 s. 

At the top of the range is the T8 plug-in hybrid powertrain, which also uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine (246kW/430Nm) and pairs it with a 65kW/240Nm electric motor. The combined output of this hybrid powertrain is a phenomenal 311kW and 680Nm. No wonder the 0-km/h time for this class is an astonishing 100 seconds! 

As for fuel consumption...

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How much fuel does it consume? 8/10

The official combined fuel consumption of the V60 depends on the transmission.

The T5 models - Momentum, Inscription and R-Design - use a claimed 7.3 liters per 100 kilometers, which at first glance seems a little high for a car in this segment. On test in our V60 Inscription, we saw 10.0 l/100 km - not great, but not terrible either.

On test in our V60 Inscription, we saw 10.0 l/100 km - not great, but not terrible either.

But there's another plus in the T8 R-Design that uses a claimed 2.0L/100km - now that's because it has an electric motor that can let you go up to 50 miles without gas.

What is it like to drive? 8/10

It's hard to find anything to complain about in the Volvo V60 if you approach it the way a Volvo driver would.

If you're looking for a luxury family car with comfort, this might be the one for you.

If you're an enthusiast looking for a sports wagon, then this car may not be right for you. But if you're looking for a luxury family car with comfort and plushness, then this might be just the thing for you.

At the time of writing, we've only managed to get to the V60 lettering, which is truly the most posh of the bunch. And despite the lack of sophisticated air suspension or even adaptive dampers, it manages to offer the luxurious ride you'd expect in most situations, even though it rides on big 19-inch alloy wheels.

It manages to offer the luxurious ride you would expect in most situations.

I'd say the ride will almost certainly be even better in the Momentum class version which has 17 wheels as standard and for those who spend a lot of time on poor road surfaces or in areas dominated by pockmarks or potholes, this might be consideration. 

However, the 19-inch Continental tires on the V60 Inscription, combined with the car's expertly tuned chassis and comfortable all-wheel drive system, mean there's no problem with traction or body roll in corners. He's holding up really well.

Its steering isn't as satisfying as some others in the segment (like the BMW 3 Series), but it's easy to steer around town and at speed, with light, precise movement and predictable response. 

While the Inscription variant doesn't have the more savory T5 engine setup, engine response is measured and still punchy enough for everyday tasks without being overly pushy. If you put your right foot on, you'll hit 0 km/h in 100 seconds, although the feel of the pants was not as impressive. The gearbox is smart, shifting smoothly and deftly and never fails in terms of gear selection.

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

5 years / unlimited mileage


guarantee

ANCAP Safety Rating

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 9/10

The Volvo V60 received the highest five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating when tested in 2018. They have not yet passed the ANCAP test, but the maximum five-star score is taken for granted, based on the equipment installed on the vehicle. the entire range.

360-degree surround view is standard on all trims except the Momentum.

Standard safety equipment on all V60 models includes automatic emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear AEB, lane keeping assist with lane departure warning, steering assisted blind spot monitoring, cross traffic alert rear, adaptive cruise control, and a reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors (plus 360-degree surround view as standard on all trims except the Momentum).

There are six airbags (dual front, front side, full-length curtain), as well as dual ISOFIX child seat attachment points and three top-tether restraints.

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10

Volvo offers a three-year/unlimited mileage warranty plan and maintains its vehicles with the same roadside assistance coverage for the duration of the new car warranty.

Maintenance is done every 12 months or 15,000 km and Volvo offers customers a choice of two different pre-purchase service levels: SmartCare which offers basic maintenance and SmartCare Plus which includes consumables such as brake pads/discs, brushes wipers. / inserts and similarity collapse.

And customers can choose a three-year plan / 45,000 km, a four-year plan / 60,000 km, or a five-year plan / 75,000 km.

Verdict

The next generation Volvo V60 is a luxury family wagon for those who don't want an SUV. This is a machine for the conscientious objector, for those who want to think outside the box - and at the same time, in a strange way, think outside the box.