Test Drive: Volvo V60 is the Goldilocks Wagon
Shrinking the V90 design, but maintaining its integrity
Wagon enthusiasts will rejoice when Volvo’s latest model hits dealerships this year, especially now that there’s more of it to enjoy. The 2019 Volvo V60 mid-size wagon flaunts a significantly larger footprint than the outgoing version. Measuring nearly five inches longer, the second-generation model gets two more inches of legroom and a larger trunk that can accommodate a quartet of carry-on roller cases side by side. Most importantly, the new design is a clear derivative of the gorgeous, but larger V90—distinctive shape and proportions are maintained.
As the third and final addition to Volvo’s all-new 60 Series (which already included the S60 sedan and XC60 SUV) the 2019 Volvo V60 is built on the Swedish automaker’s Scalable Product Architecture, a modular platform underpinning other vehicles in the line-up.
From Volvo’s signature “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlight design to the optional black-and-white plaid City Weave textile upholstery, the V60 sports fresh Scandinavian sensibility. Striving for a balance between pedigree and practicality, the automaker has endowed the wagon with shorter overhangs and a lower ride height to make it easier to load cargo inside and atop the car. That alone makes the five-door, five-passenger V60 the envy of college campuses, as we discerned from several covetous glances during a test drive in Los Angeles that took us through the heart of UCLA.
The wagon offers a choice of powertrains based on Volvo’s modular four-cylinder engine. The V60’s base engine, called T5, runs on a 250-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbo-four and gets front-wheel drive. The T6 adds a supercharger to its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine good for 316 horsepower and all-wheel drive.
The V60 comes in three trims. Momentum packs a panoramic sunroof and Volvo’s Sensus Connect infotainment system, with a nine-inch touchscreen. All models come equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Volvo’s sporty trim, R-Design, adds a heated leather steering wheel, Nappa leather seats, a leather-wrapped shifter, bespoke 18-inch alloy wheels and gloss black accents. Inscription (a luxury trim available only with the larger engine) shows off bright chrome accents, driftwood inlays, and four-zone automatic climate control.
Supporting Volvo’s longterm strategy for its line-up, safety is a pillar of the new wagon’s value proposition. All models come equipped with Volvo’s City Safety system, which bundles automatic emergency braking at speeds up to 37 mph with forward-collision warning; detecting oncoming traffic, pedestrians, bicyclists and large animals.
The V60 T5 and T6 start at $38,900 and $43,400, respectively, but are also available through the manufacturer’s subscription program, Care by Volvo. A more rugged wagon, the V60 Cross Country, will launch later this year featuring a higher ground clearance and tougher cladding for outdoor adventures. All V60 models are built to order at Volvo’s factory in Ghent, Belgium.
