Thinking of buying a used Volvo V60?
The style of the car
The V60 is a stylish family estate car that combines good looks with excellent build quality. It packs plenty of space into a relatively compact exterior, with a wide boot opening that makes it easy to load large items of luggage. Alloy wheels, chrome trim and eye-catching design give it a premium look and feel.
How it drives
The V60 is comfortable, with soft suspension and supportive seats making it a relaxing choice, especially on long motorway journeys. Light steering and relatively compact dimensions make it easy to drive and park, while the optional automatic gearbox is great for city streets. R Design models on cars built in 2018 or later have stiffer suspension which means you may feel a few bumps in the road, but are still comfortable. The engines are smooth and responsive, even when the V60 is fully loaded with people and luggage. Four-wheel drive versions provide extra control in slippery conditions, while the Cross Country has a slightly raised ride height for off-road use.
The interior
The five-seat, five-door V60 is spacious with loads of legroom in the back. The boot space of the most recent version, built after 2018, is an excellent 529-litres, which is bigger than most estate cars of a similar size, and enough room for three large suitcases. Cars built before 2018 have a smaller 430-litre boot so if space is important, make sure to choose the more recent version.
There are lots of family-friendly storage compartments and the interior is stylish with a premium finish. Post-2018 V60s are available as Momentum, R Design and Inscription. Volvo’s excellent Sensus touchscreen infotainment is standard on all trims, while R Design has heated seats and keyless entry. Inscription is top of the range with leather trim and a powerful stereo system.
Cars made before 2018 are available in Business Edition, SE and R Design trims and all have climate control, Bluetooth and sat nav. Luxurious SE models add leather trim and R Design cars feature sports seats.
Running costs and reliability
The V60 is an affordable and well-equipped premium estate car. Efficient engines are used in all models, but the frugal diesels are excellent for high mileage drivers. Volvo offers good-value servicing plans, while insurance costs are competitive. The car maker has a great reputation for reliability and was named best premium manufacturer in the JD Power dependability survey. It’s also famed for its safety, with all versions of the V60 awarded the full five stars by Euro NCAP, though post-2018 cars have undergone more stringent testing and have more modern safety equipment fitted.
How it compares with similar cars
The V60 is Volvo’s mid-sized estate, bigger than the V40 hatchback and smaller than the more expensive V90 estate. It’s more comfortable than the Audi A4 Avant and BMW 3 Series Touring. The V60 has won a number of awards, including Parkers’ Best Large Family Car.
