2023 Volvo V60
MSRP Range: $70,550 Price range reflects Base MSRP for various trim levels, not including options or fees.
2023 Volvo V60 Review
byDan Frio
Reviews Editor
Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to Edmunds, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.
Pros
- Quick acceleration and helpful amount of electric range from PHEV powertrain
- Comfortable front seats
- Long list of standard features
- SUV-like utility
Cons
- Bland-looking cabin with limited storage space
- Few ways to customize to your liking
What's new
- Google integration with voice assistant now standard
- Minor front and rear bumper cosmetic changes
- Part of the second V60 generation introduced for 2019
Overview
Maybe more than any other automaker, Volvo is synonymous with wagons. We're talking European-style wagons, mind you, not the massive Country Squires that once roamed America's highways. Volvo wagons from the 1980s symbolized Euro sophistication, a certain aspirational price, and the automaker's obsession with innovative safety features. Today, Volvo offers three wagon models in the U.S., including the 2023 Volvo V60 Recharge. The others, the V60 Cross Country and larger V90 Cross Country, have a taller ride height and a different all-wheel-drive system that give them modest off-road ability. They're reviewed separately here on Edmunds.
Modified and tuned by Volvo's Polestar Engineered performance division, the 2023 V60 Recharge comes with a plug-in hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive (the gas engine powers the front wheels, the electric motor powers the rear). The combination generates 455 horsepower and up to 41 miles of electric range on a full charge. A sport-tuned exhaust system, sport suspension with Öhlins manually adjustable dampers, Brembo performance brakes, structural bracing, 19-inch lightweight wheels and summer tires help turn all that gas-electric power into performance. Volvo says acceleration to 60 mph takes just 4.4 seconds, making the V60 Recharge not only an efficient wagon with 31 mpg combined, but also a speedy one.
With seating for five people and up to 50.9 cubic feet of cargo space (with the rear seats folded), the V60 Recharge is nearly as practical as your typical compact crossover luxury SUV. The V60 Recharge is also the only game in town. There simply aren't any other compact performance wagons left, let alone one with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. If you want to drive something that your neighbors won't have and you'll rarely see on the highway, consider the V60 Recharge.
Which V60 does Edmunds recommend?
There's only one version of the V60 Recharge, the T8 Polestar Engineered. It comes loaded with features but is offered in just four colors: white, gray, silver or black. So pick your shade of conformity. It's like Volvo wants to make doubly sure that your V60 is a total sleeper.
Volvo V60 models
The 2023 Volvo V60 Recharge is a five-seat wagon based on the Volvo S60 sedan. The only available trim level is the T8 Polestar Engineered. It comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas engine paired with a 143-hp electric motor and 18.8-kWh battery. The combination generates 455 total hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. The EPA estimates it can also provide about 41 miles of electric-only range. Keep reading for our curated list of the V60's standard and optional features.
Edmunds' Test Track: Results and Specs
Edmunds
Tested
Tested
Driven by Reese Counts
5/22/2023
Vehicle tested
2023 Volvo V60
- Style:
- Cross Country B5
- Drive type:
- All-Wheel Drive
- Engine type:
- Conventional Gasoline
- Transmission type:
- Automatic
- Tire season:
- All-Season
- Tested weight (lbs):
- 4,147
Performance results
- 0-60 mph (sec.):
- 7.2
- 1/4-mile (sec. @ mph):
- 15.3 @ 89.9
- 60-0 mph (ft.):
- 122
- Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g):
- N/A
- Sound level @ idle (dB):
- 44.7
- Sound level @ 70 mph cruise (dB):
- 74.7
Driver’s Comments
- Acceleration:
- It's been a bit over two years since we've tested a V60 Cross Country, but the car is mechanically similar to the last model. It's no surprise then that the performance of the two wagons was so close. The new V60 went from 0 to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, 0.2 second off the last Cross Country. But that's not the whole story. The new wagon managed to not only make up the 0.2-second gap but build a 0.3-second gap over the old one. It was traveling faster, too, so the gap would have increased even more if we'd had more space to run. The first run was fine, but just mashing the gas won't get you the best time. The engine shifts short of redline too. The quickest time was done by brake torquing and holding revs at about 2,600 rpm before releasing the brake. The car needs to be in manual mode for the transmission too. Oddly, the Volvo won't hold gears at redline. It will hold them longer than if it's just in automatic, but the upshifts themselves aren't particularly speedy. Decent power in the middle of the rev band, but I wish it felt a little more responsive when you dip into the throttle.
- Braking:
- Braking performance was pretty similar to the last V60 Cross Country. Weight is similar, and the two cars were wearing the same compound tires (Pirelli P Zero all-seasons). Tires have one of the biggest effects on braking performance of any part fitted to a car, so having an apples-to-apples comparison is nice. Really impressed with how the car felt, too. Stops were dead straight, and even with the tallish ride height, nosedive was kept well in check. The pedal was short and firm but easy to control, and there was no fade during testing. The pedal doesn't offer much feel, but it's strong enough to give you confidence in panic situations.
- Handling:
- How the new V60 behaves on the skidpad might be the biggest difference between this car and the last. Volvo, likely in an effort to enhance safety, doesn't allow you to disable the stability control. It did in the last car. While we generally don't recommend deactivating stability control on public roads, the extra slip and freedom given when the aids are off does tend to yield better skidpad figures. It's marginal, as this car was only 0.02 g off the last V60's skidpad figure. Because there's no futzing with settings, getting the best run is all about feel. The V60's limit is easy to approach, and you can hold the wagon on the edge of adhesion without activating stability control with relative ease. Keeping it steady on the circle requires small corrections from the wheel and gas. The nose will push wide, but it's gentle and predictable. There's a moderate amount of roll, but it's nothing egregious or overly concerning for a wagon like this.
How do we test?
The instrumented testing at our test track is only one part of the Edmunds Rating process.
Learn more about how we testHelpful shopping links
Compare the Volvo V60
Volvo V60 vs. Lincoln Aviator
As a sporty wagon with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, the V60 Recharge is a unicorn. That makes direct comparisons with SUVs difficult, especially since many consider wagons specifically because they're not SUVs. But the Lincoln Aviator deserves praise for its upscale interior, swift acceleration and cushy ride. Its taller height and greater length make it no match for the Volvo's sporty handling, and it only gets about 21 miles of electric range. Then again, it also seats seven passengers.
Volvo V60 vs. Audi Q5
Audi discontinued the plug-in hybrid version of its A7, a swoopy sedan/hatchback that, although not a wagon, offered similar low-slung style, cargo space and utility. The plug-in Q5 is a worthy replacement, however. It's about 4 inches shorter than the V60 but offers a bit more cargo space. It falls short of the Volvo with just 23 miles of electric range, but it's just as refined inside and lively when taking a quick turn. It's also got more rear seat room.
Volvo V60 vs. Volvo V60 Cross Country
The other version of the 2023 Volvo V60 is the Cross Country. It's a lot more affordable, but it uses a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with mild hybrid assist — in this case, an electric supercharger — for 247 hp. All-wheel drive is standard, and the Cross Country has a raised suspension with 8.2 inches of ground clearance, making it suitable for some off-road travel. Still, it's nowhere near as entertaining on a paved road as the V60 Recharge.
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FAQ
Is the Volvo V60 a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2023 V60 both on the road and at the track. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2023 V60 gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 6 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the V60 has 25.5 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Volvo V60. Learn more
What's new in the 2023 Volvo V60?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2023 Volvo V60:
- Google integration with voice assistant now standard
- Minor front and rear bumper cosmetic changes
- Part of the second V60 generation introduced for 2019
Is the Volvo V60 reliable?
To determine whether the Volvo V60 is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the V60. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the V60's 5-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2023 Volvo V60 a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2023 Volvo V60 is a good car. Our consumer reviews show that the 2023 V60 gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 6 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2023 V60 is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2023 Volvo V60?
The least-expensive 2023 Volvo V60 is the 2023 Volvo V60 T8 Polestar Engineered 4dr Wagon AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $70,550.
Other versions include:
- T8 Polestar Engineered 4dr Wagon AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) which starts at $70,550
What are the different models of Volvo V60?
If you're interested in the Volvo V60, the next question is, which V60 model is right for you? V60 variants include T8 Polestar Engineered 4dr Wagon AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A). For a full list of V60 models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more