Volvo V60 estate – Interior & comfort

Hop inside the V60 and it feels as well-finished and relaxing as we’ve come to expect from the Swedish manufacturer’s models since the arrival of the Volvo XC90 SUV. There’s a little less opulence than the pricier Volvo V90, with more soft-touch plastic as opposed to wood and metal, but you’re only likely to notice if you run between them in the showroom.

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Volvo V60 dashboard

The dashboard is an all-digital affair, dominated by a nine-inch portrait touchscreen that’s attractive, but also attracts fingerprints, so you might want to keep a cloth handy. It now runs a Google-based operating system, which is easier to use than the old version and comes with handy apps such as Google Maps. It’s a bit frustrating that Apple CarPlay doesn’t fill the whole screen, but at least it’s included at no charge, along with Android Auto.

Analogue dials have also been replaced by digital ones, with clear and intuitive graphics. We only wish the plastic used on the centre console didn’t let the side down, with a cheap look and feel.

Equipment

At launch, the Momentum, Inscription and R-Design trims were available, later replaced by Core, Plus and Ultimate. As of 2024, Core has been dropped and Ultimate has been renamed as Ultra, meaning buyers can now only choose between Plus and Ultra.

The tough-looking V60 Cross Country offered a genuine rough-road capability, thanks to its four-wheel drive, raised ground clearance and rugged bumpers to help fend off the elements. Unfortunately, it’s no longer available, so the Volvo XC60 or XC90 will be the next best thing if you’re looking for a Swedish 4x4.

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The V60 Plus may be the new entry-point to the range, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in equipment. It gets keyless entry and a powered hands-free tailgate to boost convenience, along with front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. You also get leather upholstery, keyless entry, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel and heated windscreen. 

Ultra adds even more tech to the V60, with a power-adjustable front passenger seat as well as a panoramic sliding sunroof and upgraded sound system. Volvo’s driver assistance technology is also included on Ultra, allowing your V60 to adapt its speed and stay in lane while maintaining a safe distance from cars ahead and around you up to motorway speeds. Ultra also includes adaptive LED headlights and a 360-degree parking camera.

Options

Volvo’s revised trim level structure means that a lot of equipment that used to be optional is now included as part of the Plus or Ultra trims, and options have been simplified to streamline car orders. You can add the 360-degree parking camera to the V60 Plus trim for £525 (it’s standard on Ultra cars), while tinted windows and mud flaps are available, too.