Currently reading: Nearly new buying guide: Volvo V60

Mk2 version of Volvo’s compact exec estate is a cool choice

Banish thoughts of Margo and Jerry and revel instead in the undeniable allure of the modern Volvo estate. These days, both this Volvo V60 and the larger Volvo Volvo V90 add more than a touch of glamour to many a Home Counties school run.

Now, good looks aren’t everything. Volvo knows this, and that’s why you can only get the second-gen V60 with sensibly sized 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines. The range initially kicked off in 2018 with a 148bhp version, badged as the D3, and a more powerful 187bhp unit, designated D4. For petrol fans, there’s a 247bhp T5 and plug-in hybrid T8 models in 385bhp standard and 399bhp Polestar Engineered forms. All diesel models can be had with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic. Petrols are auto only.

In late 2020, all the pure-petrol and diesel engines were dropped and replaced by petrol and diesel hybrids, which were badged with a B.

Click here to buy your next used V60 from Autocar

Trim-wise, even the entry-level Momentum model gets many luxuries, such as sat-nav, LED lights, a powered tailgate and a 12.3in digital instrument display. Momentum Pro adds leather trim, heated front seats, adaptive LED headlights and a head-up display. R-Design is sporty, because it has lowered suspension, larger (18in) alloy wheels and gloss black exterior pieces. Inscription trim comes with wood inlays inside and plenty of chrome outside, while Pro adds 19in alloys and ventilated seats with nappa leather.

The plug-in hybrid T8 Polestar Engineered version has 19in alloys, an upgraded Harman Kardon sound system and a set of Ohlins adjustable dampers and a bespoke suspension tune.

2 Volvo v60 2018 rt hero rear 0

With many illustrious rivals in the mix, the V60 needs to be decent to drive. Thankfully, it is. So long as you stick to the standard suspension set-up and either 17in or 18in alloys, it strikes a great balance between ride comfort and precise handling. Larger 19in wheels are best paired with the sportier suspension of R-Design models, because the adaptive dampers fitted to some V60s can’t cope with vertical movements very well.

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Volvo's reborn estate has a svelte image and upmarket aspirations. How does the V60 stack up against the likes of Mercedes and BMW?

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Inside, there’s plenty of room for people and luggage. The driver and front passenger have very comfortable seats with lots of leg, head and shoulder room. The raised centre console and well-padded door-mounted armrests are great for long journeys, too. Rear occupants also get ample space to spread out. The boot is one of the biggest in the class and it’s very well thought out.

Prices for the V60 start at £20,000, but budget between £21,000 and £26,000 for something from late 2018 or early 2019. Spend between £26,000 and £35,000 on a 2020 car. For one of the rarer T8 plug-in hybrids, you’ll need at least £40,000.

BUYER BEWARE

Gearbox The automatic can be hesitant, say some owners.

Boot Obvious, really, but check the load area isn't too knocked about.

Interior Occasional problems have been reported with driver assist features and the infotainment system, although these are by no means confined to the V60. Volvos are popular with families so check the seats, carpets and trims for stains and marks.

Need to know

Both the D3 and D4 achieve an average of 55.4mpg (WLTP) with a manual gearbox, but this drops to 51.4mpg and 52.3mpg respectively with the auto. Four-wheel-drive D4s are 47.9mpg.

The AEB system, which is supposed to apply the brakes when the forward collision sensors detect an imminent impact, might not actually do so on some models built after January 2019. A software update will sort the issue. Contact a Volvo dealer if you have concerns about this on your car.

The V60 finished ninth out of 25 cars in the executive car class in the recent reliability survey by our sibling mag What Car?. Volvo as a manufacturer ranked 11th out of 31 brands in the same survey.

Our pick

2.0 D4 Momentum Pro: The D4 probably makes most sense for most people. Momentum trim is well specified, but we’d pick Momentum Pro, because it adds kit such as leather trim, a head-up display.

10 Volvo v60 2018 rt cabin 0

Wild card

2.0 T8 Polestar Engineered: T8 plug-in hybrids are deliciously quick (0-62mph in 4.6sec) and combine an uprated petrol engine (to power the front wheels) with an electric motor (for the rear wheels).

Ones we found

2018 D3 Momentum, 18,000 miles, £21,950

2019 D4 R-Design, 12,000 miles, £26,950

2020 T8 Polestar Engineered, 4000 miles, £41,950

READ MORE

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Volvo launches new car subscription service in UK 

Volvo ditches petrol and diesel engines on S90, goes hybrid-only

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sabre 22 January 2021

Adding reliability ranking to all used car articles is a very good practice.

stavers 21 January 2021

I keep looking at D4 V60s but just Googling VEA EGR brings up pages full of people with EGR failures on the 2.0 diesel across the whole Volvo range and it appears that Volvo don't really have a fix for it.  I also know a couple of people who had V60s for company cars and they both had EGR failures on new cars.

 

I guess there are probably enough people without it that it might not be an issue but it's certainly enough to put me off them

dd9ag 22 January 2021
EGR and DPF issues do seem to be a widespread problem in quite a few diesel models. DPF issues aren't so much an issue if you're a high mileage user (I used to be and still had them though). I'd gone over to a full EV and now a petrol engine. Don't think I'd go back to diesel.