• Choice of mild hybrid or PHEV power
• Petrol only – Volvo axed diesel in 2024
• T6 PHEV is rapid in a straight line

Volvo V60 petrol engines

For the V60’s comeback, Volvo decided to keep just one of its mild hybrid petrol engines on the books. It’s the most potent B4 version, which is based around a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and serves up a healthy 197hp and 300Nm of torque.

That’s enough for a 0–62mph time of 7.3 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 112mph. That limiter is standard across the entire Volvo range, forming part of the brand’s ‘Vision 2020’ programme which hopes to prevent its drivers from suffering death or serious injury from road accidents while at the wheel of its cars.

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Before its brief exit from the UK, you could specify the V60 with a less powerful version of the same engine, dubbed the B3. It produced 163hp and had a 0–62mph time of 8.2 seconds. That doesn’t sound that far behind the B4 on paper, but the faster engine has more grunt in the mid-range making it easier drive on the motorway. You don’t need to plan overtakes quite so carefully, especially if you’ve got a boot full of heavy luggage on board.

We’re happy Volvo decided to keep the B4 around for the V60’s reintroduction because it’s certainly the engine to have if you crave some performance but can’t afford the T6 PHEV.

Volvo V60 hybrid engines

We reckon the V60 makes better sense as a plug-in hybrid. You’ve two options to choose from – badged T6 and T8 – and both offer a considerable performance boost over the B4. Both use a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine as their foundation, that’s supercharged and turbocharged. Both also offer a maximum electric range of more than 50 miles.

The petrol engine drives the front wheels, while the rears are driven by an electric motor (meaning you get all-wheel drive). The T6 has a combined output of 350hp and a 0–62mph time of 5.2 seconds, while the T8 produces a whopping 455hp and serves up a 0–62mph time of 4.6 seconds. That’s more than a second quicker than the BMW 330e.

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Like all Volvos, both plug-in hybrids top out at 112mph. However, outright speed isn’t really what these cars specialise in. Where they excel is in their mid-range acceleration. Both systems offer a wave of instant torque that makes zipping past a dawdling wagon or tractor a little too easy. They’re deceptively quick for the size and practicality they offer.

In pure electric mode, the T6 is immensely quiet, although the serenity is somewhat ruined when the petrol engine fires up. It’s not that the engine is coarse, but the changeover from electric to hybrid running can be a little clunky. The gearbox can also be a little reluctant to change gears, especially at low speeds

What’s it like to drive?

• Weighty steering instils confidence
• Not exactly sporty, but it’s sure-footed
• Drive modes offer scope for customisation

Volvo has made precious few sports cars, but that doesn’t mean the brand doesn’t know how to make its motors get around corners. We’re not going to lie and say it’s as sharp as a BMW 3 Series Touring, but it’s certainly more competent than a Mercedes C-Class estate.

The steering is precise and very well-weighted, especially if you engage Volvo’s ‘heavy steering’ mode. It really inspires confidence, as does the composure exhibited by the chassis. The suspension keeps the car quite flat, which means you can hustle the V60 down a B-road quickly if you desire.

It gets even better when you team that composure with the all-wheel drive traction of the T6 and T8 powertrains. There’s no sideways drama if you plant the throttle halfway around a corner, like you’d get in a 3 Series. The computers simply figure out when it’s safe to put the power down and then they fire you at the horizon once they’re satisfied.

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In fact, ‘safe’ is probably the best way of describing the car’s handling. The V60 is more concerned about getting you to your destination quickly and calmly using the most efficient route, rather than encouraging you to take the path of greatest excitement. And that’s okay.

You can really tell Volvo was trying to win its customers over with luxury. It’s not perfect, but it does a good job of ironing out all but the worst craters. The now standard 19-inch alloys are just a little too large for the suspension to deal with, which can make the car jiggle and crash over imperfections. Older V60s fitted with 17 or 18-inch wheels were more comfortable simply because they had more rubber separating you from the road.

If you’re chasing the best comfort, you can improve your lot in the current car by softening off the adaptive dampers and dialling back the steering weight. Do that and it becomes noticeably more refined than the 3 Series Touring. Is it better than an Audi A5 Avant, though? We’re not so sure.