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.