Volvo V60 D4 Inscription 2018 UK first drive

This is the car you picture when you close your eyes and think of Volvo. Or at least it used to be, before the company reinvented itself as one renowned for premium SUVs.

The new V60 is the brand’s attempt to reconnect with that core audience, combining the practicality of an estate with the effortless Scandi elegance established by the Volvo XC60 and Volvo XC90, with which it shares a platform.

It largely succeeds on that first point: this is the most spacious car in its class, with 529/1441 litres of boot space putting it ahead of both the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate and BMW 3 Series Touring.

As for whether it’s as striking as its high-riding rangemates, that’s more subjective. But we certainly think those sculpted lines and raked edges looks the part. We said as much when the V60 received a full Autocar road test earlier this year.

That car was in entry-level Momentum trim and equipped with an automatic gearbox. Here, we're trying out a more luxuriously equipped Inscription model. Our test car has the same transverse, front-mounted 187bhp four-cylinder diesel engine driving the front wheels, but through a six-speed manual gearbox instead of an automatic.

This model is just as comfortable at a cruise as we’ve come to expect from Volvo’s premium estate but a little more engaging when driven with intent.

The V60’s automatic gearbox can be lethargic at times, refusing to hold onto gears as it prioritises fuel economy. There’s none of that here, with fast and smooth manual shifts - even if the gearstick itself it a little on the stubby side.

Of course, this being a turbodiesel, there’s little incentive to engage with the latter half of the rev range, as peak power has come and gone by the time you get there. The D4 engine is still potent enough, and no slower from 0-62mph than the automatic: both manage the sprint in 7.9sec. It’s refined, too, save for a bit of grumble at idle speeds.

The V60 still delivers a relaxed and refined ride, even if the 18in alloys of our Inscription model are slightly harsher than the 17in ones on entry-level Momentum cars. The long wheelbase provides stability in the corners, with ample grip and traction for day-to-day driving, but the light steering lacks the precision of more dynamic rivals such as the BMW 3 Series Touring.