Volvo V60 estate – Engines, drive & performance
Plug-in hybrid models are rapid, but the V60 takes a more laid-back approach to driving
The V60 takes a somewhat different approach to rivals like the BMW 3 Series Touring, because it feels far less sporty. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing, as it should instead appeal to anyone who simply wants a comfortable, cosseting and very safe experience behind the wheel.
At low speeds the steering is light and there’s very little feel – but that’s fine, as it makes the V60 stress-free and easy to drive and park in town as you get on with daily life. Head out of the town or city and the steering gets heavier, while supple suspension deals with imperfections in the road. The V60 definitely rolls in corners more than its German rivals but it's more comfortable for it, and it still remains composed through bends.
Petrol engines
The remaining Volvo V60 B4 petrol engine includes mild-hybrid technology which improves fuel efficiency and supplements performance. It delivers 194bhp through the front wheels, enabling a 0-62mph sprint in 7.6 seconds – identical to the rear-wheel drive BMW 320i Touring. Not hair-raising, but perfectly quick enough.
Hybrid engines
The plug-in hybrid Volvo V60s offer far more performance than the petrol mild-hybrid model, but they’re much pricier, too. Out of the two PHEVs, we’d opt for cheaper and less powerful T6 engine. With 345bhp, it has plenty of punch and will happily out-accelerate many hot hatchbacks – hitting 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds – but it costs around £6,000 less than the T8. It can't match a BMW 3 Series Touring for driver appeal but it still has decent body control and despite its lightness, the steering is accurate.
With almost 450bhp, the Volvo V60 T8 has an impressive party trick of being able to get from 0-62mph in just 4.6 seconds, but we don’t think straight-line speed will be all that high on the priority list of most V60 buyers. In reality, the T8 doesn’t feel much more sporty than the cheaper T6, with handling that doesn’t really goad you to tackle a twisting road flat out.
Volvo V60 diesel engines
Diesels have now been discontinued in the V60, but until late 2021 you could get a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with 187bhp, sending power to the front wheels through an automatic gearbox. It has plenty of pulling power, getting the V60 from 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds.
