Insurance Group: N/A
MPG: 42.8
CO2: 153
0-62 Mph: 8.5 secs
BHP: 178 BHP
Range: 635 miles
PROS: Sportier looks than the saloon, flexible load space, good performance, excellent equipment levels, good safety features.
CONS: Boot has less space than many rivals, handling still falls short of premium rivals.
Inside the cabin the overwhelming impression is one of top quality. The floating central console is still something of a novelty, even though it’s been around for some time now. Finding the correct driving position is easy thanks to the ample range of adjustment available on the driver’s seat and steering wheel. Visibility is good all round and the seats are extremely comfortable and supportive.
This V60 T4 SE Lux comes powered by Volvo’s 1.6-litre 177bhp petrol engine, which gives a healthy 177 lb-ft of torque low to mid-range, and has a top speed of 137mph. Acceleration is good and it will do 0-62mph in 8.5 seconds, however average fuel economy is only 42.2mpg even with start/stop engine technology.
Compared to the more traditional Volvo estates in the past the V60 T4 handles very well; its agile and its low slung design controls body roll well, making it fun to drive on winding country roads. The steering allows you to adjust for weight, but it still lacks feel. Out on the motorway is where the V60 T4 really feels at home where it is an effortless and comfortable cruiser.
All noise is well suppressed and the cabin is a nice, hushed environment, ideal for longer journeys.
The V60 is one of the sportiest looking cars Volvo has produced recently. Its raked roofline and low-slung body make it lower than before and it now has a slightly more aggressive stance on the road. The interior also provides you with a top quality environment, with nice design touches as well.
As you’d expect in a car in this class the V60 T4 SE Lux comes well equipped with power steering, central locking DSTC stability control, 17-inch alloy wheels, climate control, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, cruise control, rear parking sensor, leather seats, alarm, immobiliser, CD with MP3 connectivity and Bluetooth as well as boasting aluminium trim, automatic dimming rear-view mirror, rain sensitive wipers and watch-like instrument dials on the dash.
Volvo also offers the option of metallic paint £640 and satellite navigation £525 for the V60 T4.
The V60 T4 has lots of flexibility; a load carrying space of 430-litres is available without moving the rear seats and this can be boosted to 1,241-litres by folding the rear seats down. The boot is shallower than some of its rivals, but the front passenger seat also folds down – which none of its rivals offer. Passenger space in general is good, although it’s low slung design and raked roofline does restrict rear passenger headroom slightly, but only for taller passengers.
As you’d expect from Volvo, the V60 T4 comes loaded with safety features such as the usual airbags, rollover protection, side impact bars and DSTC stability control, but it also incorporates an automatic braking system that detects pedestrians in front of the car at low speeds, and another which brakes automatically to avoid hitting the car in front in case of sudden reduction in speed, avoiding low speed impacts.
EuroNCAP awarded the V60 the maximum of five-stars in its crash-tests.
Volvo has an excellent reputation with regard to quality and reliability and the V60 scored well on both points in recent customer satisfaction surveys.
Volvo cover the V60 T4 with its three-year, 60,000 mile warranty, and regular servicing is every 12,500 miles.
The Volvo V60 T4 SE Lux represents good value for money. The £29,460 list price is very affordable next to what you need to pay for some of its rivals. For this you get a lot of car, good performance, refinement and excellent cruising comfort, not to mention a lot of good equipment and Volvo safety.
You should be able to get a good discount from a dealer, but as many V60s are purchases by companies there should also be a large number of well maintained examples available as second hand buys which makes it an even more appealing option.
Running costs are reasonable and typical for a car this size. The V60’s CO2 emissions of 155g/km put it in VED band G for Road Tax, but its relatively poor fuel economy will stretch your budget if you do a lot of long distance driving.
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