2019 Volvo V60 Review: One Sexy Swedish Wagon

Volvo's still on a styling roll

2019 Volvo V60 review

I know — it’s no secret that I am a fan of Volvo’s cars. My first car was a 1984 Volvo 240 Turbo. As such, when we received a 2019 Volvo V60 in the fleet this week, I was eager to spend some quality time with their latest wagon offering.

Styling

This is one of the last Volvos to take on the Swedish manufacturer’s latest design language. You get the ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlights, striking lines, and a long, low overall stance. Styling is always subjective and some of you may not like how the 2019 Volvo V60 looks. But, if you ask me, this is one of the best looking vehicles on the road. It exudes style and elegance. While I don’t particularly love the Birch Light Metallic color that Volvo supplied here, I do think the car is absolutely gorgeous.

On the inside, Volvo’s styling is similarly sleek and tasteful. Our seats came fitted in a cloth material that Volvo calls ‘City Weave’. Everyone in our office referred to it as ‘tweed’, but I refuse to call it tweed. Editor’s Note: It’s tweed.

City Weave is a material only available in the 2019 Volvo V60 and I really like having the option for cloth seats. The cloth is accented by a mix of blonde and black leather interior surfaces that cover the dashboard and pretty much everything else you touch. The heated seats may be some of the most effective that I have ever tested. Sweden doesn’t mess around with cold butts. Or cold hands, for that matter, as the 2019 Volvo V60 has a heated steering wheel as part of a $750 package.

Performance

Under the hood is a 2.0-liter ‘twin-charged’ (read: turbocharged & supercharged) inline four-cylinder. It makes 316 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. That power is sent to all four wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission.

According to the EPA, this setup is good for 21 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway and a combined rating of 25 mpg. Incidentally, I was averaging almost exactly 25 mpg altogether. That isn’t amazing, but you can probably attribute that gas mileage to the car’s 4,200 pound curb weight.

Overall, I am really pleased with the V60’s performance. That engine provides excellent power, even up here at a mile above sea-level. From Nathan and I’s unfiltered buddy review, we were able to hit 60 in 7.46 seconds with 3 people in the car, adding another 700 or so lbs. to the Volvo. I wish the gas mileage was a little better, but power is not a problem.

Ride & Handling

Our tester came with Volvo’s $1,000 optional active chassis system which has a number of settings, ranging from comfort up to dynamic. The suspension stiffness can be adjusted individually, otherwise it will automatically change with the different drive modes. Comfort mode is a great balance between limited body-roll and adequate damping. Dynamic mode was still comfortable, though a fair amount stiffer. The 2019 Volvo V60 handles quite well, though that 4,200 lb. curb weight is certainly noticeable. It is not a pure-bred race horse. A Polestar version could change that (please make one Volvo!) Overall, ride and handling favors the comfort side of the spectrum, while still appealing to the enthusiast driver.

Utility

No surprise here, the 2019 Volvo V60 is a masterclass in utility. It’s a wagon, so there is a massive cargo area. Behind the 2nd row you have an already enormous 23.2 cu-ft of storage space. Fold the second row and you get a whopping 50.9 cu-ft of space.

Not only is there a lot of cargo room, but your passengers will be plenty comfy as well. I am 6’2″, and had zero issues with room in the front seats. Plus, I had little issue sitting in the second row behind my own seat. The only complaint I can think of in terms of utility is that the V60 feels very low to the ground. People who don’t like to have to bend over to get into their car may have a harder time with the low entry-point on the V60.

Technology

This Volvo comes packed with tech and safety features. The first thing you notice when you step in the vehicle is the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Volvo Sensus Connect. This is the same one you will find across most of Volvo’s lineup. This system is very easy to use. You have a main page for media and navigation controls, swipe left for vehicle controls, swipe right for another menu list. Of course, this system has Android Auto and Apple Car Play Connectivity. I found Sensus Connect exceptionally intuitive and easy to use. I was never left fishing for a control or menu setting.

2019 Volvo V60

Our tester also had a heads-up display and a number of driver safety and convenience features including Volvo’s Pilot Assist. This is a semi-autonomous function that combines adaptive cruise control with lane-keep assist to keep you centered in your lane and a specified distance from the car ahead. It works, quite well, and can make any lengthy stretch of highway driving a breeze. I think the best part about the driver assistance tech in the V60, is that it never feels intrusive. You get the feeling that it is there to help you out, should you need it. Otherwise, it remains out of the way entirely.

Value

Base pricing for the 2019 Volvo V60 starts at $38,900 for the base trim, base engine, with front-wheel drive. Our tester was the base trim (Momentum in Volvo Speak) but with the T6 motor and standard AWD as a result. Base pricing for this setup is $43,400. However, our car also came with tons of options. When you tack on the 19-inch alloy wheels ($1,000), heated rear seats and steering wheel ($750), premium package ($2,050), advance package ($2,500), multimedia package ($2,500) and the active chassis control ($1,000), the final price for this wagon comes out to roughly $54,000 before destination and taxes.

Obviously, that is a lot of money. However, when you compare it to the direct competition in the market, of which there isn’t much, that price doesn’t look too horrible. Overall, the V60 (especially in the less expensive trims) offers a good value for someone interested in luxury feel, solid performance, and comprehensive tech.

Out of my own sadistic curiosity, I built a 2019 Volvo V60 to fully loaded specification to see what the price could top out at. With the Inscription trim and all the bells and whistles possible, MSRP peaked just over $61,000. So, there you go.

Verdict

The 2019 Volvo V60 was a car that I had a tough time identifying many faults with. It manages to combine a number of subtly well-done aspects into a complete package that rarely disappoints. Sure, I am unashamedly a fan of Volvos, but I think this car exemplifies exactly what I like about the Swedish manufacturer so much. Great looks, fun driving dynamics, a comfortable, luxurious interior and enough tech to make you feel like you live in the future, without intruding on the driving experience. All I can say is this: If you are thinking about taking one for a test drive, just go do it. You won’t regret the experience.