Volvo V60 (2010 – 2018) Review

Volvo V60 (2010 – 2018) At A Glance

3/5
Honest John Overall Rating
The V60 might not be the biggest estate car Volvo has ever built, but it’s one of the best looking. It stems from a time when wagons still rolled for Volvo, before it established itself as a leading player in the SUV sector.

+The D4 diesel engine is punchy and efficient, comfortable and relaxing to drive, excellent safety credentials.

-It’s not a proper estate car, lacks excitement, interior looks dated alongside newer models.

Insurance Groups are between 28–32
On average it achieves 72% of the official MPG figure

Launched in 2010, the Volvo V60 was the sister car to the S60 saloon, rivalling the likes of the BMW 3 Series Touring, Audi A4 Avant and Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate. It’s not the most practical of estate cars, but if you’re after a good looking, solid and safe wagon, it’s a highly appealing prospect.

Once upon a time, Volvo was synonymous with estate cars. Today, the company builds three of the most convincing SUVs on the planet, but it hasn’t abandoned its roots. It still builds stylish, safe and sophisticated estate cars.

Launched in 2010, this particular V60 stems from a time before the Volvo revolution. That’s to say it’s one of the last of the old breed of cars, before it ventured down the SUV and electric avenues. It means that it’s looking a bit dated in 2020, but that’s not a reason to dismiss it.

On the contrary. In fact, the only reason to dismiss it would be the fact that it’s not a true estate car. The boot is too small and there’s not enough space in the back. Put aside any thoughts of the enormous, boxy Volvo estate your parents owned when you were growing up. The Volvo V60 is more like an S60 with a fastback bottom.

Rivals include the BMW 3 Series Touring and Audi A4 Avant, along with the Volkswagen Passat Estate, if you’re after a properly practical wagon. Today, the V60 is also rivalled by the growing range of SUVs, including the popular Volvo XC60.

The V60 looks great, especially following the facelift of 2016, but the interior is looking increasingly dated.

It doesn’t help that the current crop of Volvo models have moved the game on in such a big way, but the cabin architecture is showing its age. This is particularly true of the infotainment system, which relies on four rotary dials to operate the menu system. It’s difficult to use and hard to operate on the move.

On the plus side, the cabin quality is a match for its German rivals, while the seats are as comfortable as anything else you’ll find in the V60’s segment. Supportive yet supremely comfortable on a long journey, you’ll arrive at your destination feeling more relaxed than when you set off.

A bewildering array of engines were available, including five-cylinder diesels, six-cylinder petrols, four-cylinder units and even a diesel-electric plug-in hybrid.

We’ll explore these in more detail, but you needn’t look beyond the D4 diesel. This Volvo-designed engine replaced the earlier Ford-sourced units, and it represented a big step forward. Smooth, efficient, punchy and quiet – it’s the only engine you’ll ever need in a Volvo V60.

Indeed, we’d recommend a facelifted car over the others. Prices have dropped to a level that makes this an attractive proposition on the used car market, even if it’s not the most practical option. Look at it as a more stylish and safer alternative to a family hatchback of a similar price. Then the V60 begins to make more sense.

It’s also easier to forgive its niggles. Admire it for its interior ambience, cabin quality, smoothness and relaxed demeanour. Just don’t expect to transport a chest of drawers home from the antiques market.

Ask Honest John

What is the value for my Volvo V60?

"What would be the value of a 2017 Volvo V60 D3 SE 150 Nav winter pack and leather?"
You can get a free car valuation using our tool here: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/how-much-is-my-car-worth/
Answered by Sarah Tooze

What does the engine warning light on my Volvo V60 mean?

"What does the engine warning light on my Volvo V60 mean?"
The warning light could indicate a number of things, but the most likely reason is the EGR, which is prone to failure in Volvo.
Answered by Alan Ross

Will I get more into the boot of a fully laden Volkswagen Golf Estate than I would my current Ford Mondeo Estate?

"I currently drive a 2013 Ford Mondeo Estate which we've used as a family car for camping holidays. Squeezing as much as possible into the boot is essential, with the back seats up as I have two children. According to your specification pages, my current car has a boot capacity of 537 litres, and yet smaller class cars appear to have bigger boot capacity. The Volkswagen Golf Estate has 605 litres, the SEAT Leon Estate has 587 litres and even the Volvo V60 (criticised as not being a load-lugger) at 557 litres. So, will I get more into the boot of a fully laden Volkswagen Golf Estate than I would my current Ford Mondeo Estate?"
Yes. The Skoda Octavia estate and, of course, the Skoda Superb estate are even bigger. You should consider a Superb estate: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/skoda/skoda-superb-2015-estate-road-test/ That's 660 litres to the load cover.
Answered by Honest John

Which family car is best - V60, Passat or Leon?

"If you had the choice between a Volvo V60 T3, Volkswagen Passat 1.4 TSI or a SEAT Leon ST 1.4 TSI (all 2013 models) which would you buy? "
To drive, the MQB Leon. The Passat will have the same engine, either 122PS or 140PS but is a bigger car. The Volvo has Ford's 1.6 EcoBoost engine. All were timing belt by 2013. I would not regard any of these as 10 year cars. 5 years, maybe.
Answered by Honest John
More Questions

What does a Volvo V60 (2010 – 2018) cost?