Volvo V60 cars for sale

Frequently asked questions about the Volvo V60

• What is the Volvo V60?
• The smallest estate car in the range, the Volvo V60 is a compact premium family car to rival luminaries such as the Audi A4 Avant, BMW 3 Series Touring and Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate. In many regards, it’s like a shrunken V90, the range-topping estate car that was launched before the V60; the smaller model follows big brother’s template, with a smart suit wrapped around a roomy, practical wagon silhouette. Unsurprisingly given Volvo's logical naming hierarchy, the V60 is the estate version of the S60 saloon and XC60 SUV.

• Which versions of the Volvo V60 are available?
• As the V60 Estate is closely related to other '60' family Volvos, the range structure, nomenclature and badges used are familiar to existing Volvo owners. Like the rest of the range, initially you could pick from three core trim levels: entry-level models are called Momentum, but for £3k more you step up to sportier R-Design spec or, for another £1.5k, to range-topping luxurious Inscription level. Each is available with a Pro upgrade for superior infotainment spec.
  
  This arrangement was tweaked in 2019 with the pairs of trims being merged to form Momentum Plus, R-Design Plus and Inscription Plus, with a sportier Polestar Engineered trim level at the head of the range. A further option is the V60 Cross Country, which adds a little soft-roading flavour to create a tougher, more SUV-alike vibe to rival cars such as the Audi A4 Allroad range or Skoda Octavia Scout models.
  
  Like other V60s, the Cross Country was upgraded to Plus specification during 2019. As for engines, you can choose from a 150hp D3 or 190 D4 diesels, both based around a 2.0-litre four-cylinder motor. The petrol T4 produces 190hp while the T5 boasts a fulsome 250hp for some rapid performance creds and 0-62mph in less than seven seconds. Fastest of the lot are the plug-in hybrid T8 Twin Engine models, available in 390hp and 405hp outputs, yet with CO2 emissions as low as 42g/km.

• What's under the skin?
• As already mentioned, the V60 is entirely in keeping with the Swedes’ current design philosophy: it’s dripping with Scandinavian cool in an understated, classy fashion. It’s every inch a baby V90 estate. This is an important evolution for Volvo, which made its name in the 1970s and ’80s with a range of famously boxy, set-square upright wagons.
  
  This car prefers voluptuous curves to right angles and while you can’t fit quite so much into the 529-litre boot it’s still a truly practical car when judged against its peers. Hardware is shared with all other mid- and large-sized Volvos, so it’s essentially the same underneath as its XC60, V90 or XC90 brethren. All V60 estates are front-wheel drive apart from the D4 Cross Country AWD which features, as the name suggests, all-wheel drive.

• Is it good to drive?
• All you need to know here is that the Volvo V60 was our 2019 Large Family Car of the Year in the Parkers New Car Awards. While it isn’t the sharpest car in the sector to drive - step forward, sporty BMW 3 Series Touring - we nevertheless rate the laid-back plump afforded by the V60. It’s a family car best enjoyed at a leisurely cruise and ride comfort is generally very good (but watch out if you spec the bigger wheels, but not the adaptive suspension option). The D4 engine can feel a little sluggish at full load, but other than that every V60 we’ve driven has felt like a very well-judged affair.

• How much does the Volvo V60 cost?
• Prices for the V60 kick off at over £30k and if you get busy ticking boxes and walking up the spec ladder you’ll quickly push past £40k. It’s competitively priced against its immediate competition, though, that said. In an age when 90% of car buyers pay for their new car on monthly finance, it’s worth pointing out that Volvo regularly has attractive new offers advertised on the V60. You can normally get one on your drive for less than £300 a month - check the latest deals by finding the offers section of the official Volvo UK website.