Used 2020 Volvo V60

The Volvo V60 is a premium station wagon, essentially a more practical, cargo-swallowing version of the S60 sedan. It is the kind of vehicle the Swedish luxury automaker does best. And while rivals like BMW have shunned the wagon segment, the V60 is alive, well and highly alluring.

Far from the dowdy design of past Volvos, the V60 could be the first car that combines the words “station wagon” and “sexy.” The standard V60 is just coming off a complete redesign, and for 2020 the higher-riding, all-wheel-drive Cross Country model joins the lineup.

As with its main competitor the Audi Allroad, the 2020 Volvo V60 appeals to individualist buyers who want the utility and cargo space of an SUV but seek sedan-like driving manners. For 2020, the V60 has dropped the T6 turbocharged and supercharged engine, but the standard T5 turbocharged 4-cylinder is still plenty spunky.

A high-performance Polestar Engineered plug-in hybrid is also available, but pricey. As with all Volvos, the V60 includes a full roster of advanced safety and driver-assist features.

We call the Volvo V60 an “anti-SUV” because it has excellent cargo capacity like a sport-utility vehicle, but doesn’t drive like one. The V60 is more akin to a sedan, and a good one at that. The standard turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is beguilingly energetic. This is just one seriously willing engine, and changing drive modes makes notable differences in the way the V60 handles. In Dynamic mode, for example, throttle response is livelier and steering feel stiffens, while Eco mode enables the highest efficiency.

V60 Cross Country models have an Off-road mode that works at speeds up to about 25 mph. It optimizes the vehicle for traction on dirt and slippery roads, and enables hill-descent control, which automatically slows the car on steep grades. In testing that feature in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, though, we found it too abrupt and opted instead to just regulate downhill braking ourselves. Speaking of brakes, those on the V60 are fabulous, enabling “right now” stops.

In general, the standard V60 feels more buttoned-down and like the S60 sedan, while the higher-riding V60 Cross Country naturally isn’t quite as agile, a slight compromise for the extra ground clearance. Still, compared to an SUV the V60 Cross Country feels more athletic.

For 2020, the standard V60 can be had as a high-performance Polestar Engineered model, which pairs a turbocharged and supercharged 4-cylinder engine with a plug-in rechargeable battery. The result is 415 horsepower, 494 lb-ft and bonkers acceleration from this all-wheel-drive sleeper.

Like a sedan or 2-row SUV, the Volvo V60 can seat five people. As a wagon, though, its X-factor is the ability and ease with which its rear cargo area can hold stuff. There’s nearly 20 cubic feet back there, plenty for suitcases and shopping bags. Lowering the rear seats creates a nice flat area that’s ready to accept longer items. Pragmatics aside, the Volvo’s interior design continues to be among the best out there. It combines Scandinavian minimalism with premium touches and great technology.

All models feature a horizontally oriented, crisp 9-inch central display, plus a slick 12.3-inch all-digital instrument cluster. These may sound daunting at first, but they will become easier to use with practice. And for the tech-savvy, you can dig down into menus to customize features. Our editors found the front seats comfortable, and they aptly fit a variety of body shapes and sizes. The driver’s seating position is excellent. Several colors of leather upholstery are available, but we are also fond of the blond-weave textile pattern. It makes a posh interior look even classier.

If you’ve ever wondered if a station wagon can look gorgeous, consider the Volvo V60 Exhibit A. It is sleek, features a long hood, slightly raked roof, and Volvo-specific features like LED headlights with “Thor’s Hammer” daytime running lights. A power tailgate and panoramic sunroof are also standard. Volvo V60 Cross Country models have a tougher but still elegant aesthetic. Those adventurous models have over two inches more ground clearance — 8.3 inches total — revised fascia and fender flares.

ALLURING DESIGN
Volvo has a knack for making station wagons sexy, and this latest V60 is its best-looking yet. As a statement of style, individuality or counterculture, the V60’s elegant design nails it.

SAFETY AND DRIVER ASSISTANCE
A Volvo wouldn’t be a Volvo if it didn’t put safety first. Nowadays, that means active features like the ability to keep from drifting lanes, detect pedestrians and animals in the road, and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision — both in forward and reverse.

A base Volvo V60 is called the Momentum model, and though this is the least expensive version, it’s well-equipped. Included are Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system with 9-inch screen and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration, power tailgate, dual-zone climate control, panoramic sunroof, textile upholstery, power front seats and 18-inch wheels.

Standard safety features include lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and Steering Support, which can further help you steer clear of a collision. Also included: four years of complimentary Volvo On Call, which lets you remotely connect to the car via a smartphone to lock and unlock doors, check fuel level and more. V60 Cross Country models also have all-wheel drive, an off-road mode, leather interior and blind-spot monitoring.

Stepping up to a sporty R-Design V60 adds Nappa leather upholstery, Harman Kardon audio, navigation, universal garage-door opener, 4-zone climate control, front-seat cushion extender, paddle shifters, blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors. Inscription V60 models are similar to R-Design models, but with luxury-oriented aesthetics.

At the top, the Polestar Engineered V60 includes the turbocharged/supercharged and electrified powertrain, all-wheel drive, and otherwise optional features like heated front seats and steering wheel, and 360-degree camera.

While the V60 Cross Country only comes in one trim, it can also be had with extras like those offered in the standard V60. They include massaging front seats with ventilation, and high-end Bowers & Wilkins audio system. One feature we really like is Pilot Assist, Volvo’s semi-autonomous driving system. It combines adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist, and works remarkably well.

The Volvo V60 and V60 Cross Country come with a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine called the T5 that makes 250 horsepower. As we’ve said, it’s a strong engine and feels mightier than that number suggests. Standard V60 models with that engine are front-wheel drive (FWD), while Cross Country models are all-wheel drive (AWD).

Volvo has dropped the T6 variant of the V60 that included all-wheel drive, so if you want that traction-enhancing system, you’ll now have to get the Cross Country or step up to the performance-oriented Polestar Engineered version, only available in the standard V60, not the Cross Country. Called the T8, it has a 4-cylinder engine that is both turbocharged and supercharged, plus a plug-in hybrid electrified powertrain that has up to 22 miles of range thanks to its 11.6-kWh battery. The T8 V60 is a performance monster with 415 horsepower, but its electrified powertrain also makes it efficient with up to 69 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe). The T8 also features Ohlins suspension with adjustable shock absorbers.

All models use a slick 8-speed automatic transmission. Note that premium unleaded gasoline is recommended for these Volvos. The Volvo V60 has an engine idle start/stop feature that can be permanently disabled via the touch-screen menu.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (V60, V60 Cross Country T5)
250 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/34 mpg (FWD V60), 22/31 mpg (AWD V60 Cross Country)

2.0-liter turbocharged and supercharged inline-4 + electric motor (V60 T8 twin-engine)
415 horsepower total
494 lb-ft of torque total
Electric-only range: 22 miles
EPA combined city/highway fuel economy: 30 mpg, 69 MPGe equivalent