2021 Volvo V60 T8 Polestar Engineered
| MSRP | $69,345 |
|---|---|
| Edmunds suggests you pay | $69,100 |
2021 Volvo V60 Review
- Increased cargo and rear passenger space over predecessor
- Exceptionally comfortable front seats
- Sleek exterior and interior design
- Long list of advanced safety features
- Ride is fairly stiff, even with the adaptive suspension
- Infotainment isn't as intuitive as rival systems
- Limited interior storage space
- No wireless charging or rear USB ports
- Most features from last year's Premium package are now standard
- Part of the second V60 generation introduced for 2019
The 2021 Volvo V60 is one of the last of its kind, at least in America. For the past few decades, tastes have shifted from wagons to minivans to SUVs, with most automakers dropping wagons from their lineups. That said, wagon fans are a passionate bunch, and what would Volvo be without a long-roof car or two in its lineup?
The V60 is essentially a wagon version of Volvo's excellent S60 sedan. It's handsome and well appointed, and it includes an extensive list of standard safety features. It might not have the utility of something like Volvo's XC60 SUV, but the smaller size makes it feel more engaging on the road. And if you're looking for something really sporty, the Volvo V60 Recharge Polestar Engineered plug-in hybrid should help satisfy that itch.
There isn't really much on the road that competes directly with the Volvo V60. The Audi A4 Allroad is close in size and price to the V60, but its taller ride height and standard all-wheel drive make it a closer rival to the V60 Cross Country, a model we review separately. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon is larger and significantly more expensive, as is Volvo's own V90 wagon. And if you're willing to make the leap to a crossover, check out the similar XC60 SUV.
Our verdict | |
Is the V60 a European luxury wagon or an autobahn-ready stretched performance sedan? Turns out it's a bit of both. It's got legitimate performance capability, even if it's less sophisticated than its European rivals in some of its dynamic nuances. Wagon utility means it's a good substitute for a compact SUV. | |
How does the V60 drive? | |
Acceleration is respectable from a standstill. The long wagon body feels well balanced and planted in turns, even when taken at higher speeds. Body motions are kept under control, giving the V60 one of its primary advantages: SUV-like utility with sport-sedan handling confidence. Around town, the brake pedal can be a little tricky to press for consistently smooth stops. In the Comfort drive mode, the V60's gear shifts are smooth and crisp. | |
How comfortable is the V60? | |
The V60 delivers better-than-average comfort with front seats that are very supportive and satisfying after many hours. It also offers more supportive rear seats than competitors. The main drawback is the stiff ride that transmits more vibrations into the cabin than other luxury vehicles. The interior remains pleasantly quiet up to highway speeds, where some faint wind noise can be heard around the windshield. When pushed hard, the engine can also emit some coarse sounds. The climate control operates just as you'd expect, but it's more complicated than we like since all functions are run through the touchscreen. The rear seat fan can be noticeably loud too. | |
How’s the interior? | |
The attractive interior is a model of simple yet elegant Scandinavian design, but there are some drawbacks in terms of operation. Some controls have unconventional icons, and many basic functions require you to use the touchscreen. The infotainment system also takes some getting used to but eventually begins to make sense. To its credit, the V60 provides plenty of room for all passengers and offers the driver a wide range of adjustments to ensure an optimal position. The sloping roofline offers better outward visibility than we'd expect, but it also forces taller passengers to stoop slightly to get in and out of the car. | |
How’s the tech? | |
The infotainment system is visually striking, but it's not intuitive at first. Some options and features require the user to swipe right or left to access the menus, and there's no obvious prompt to indicate those functions are there. The absence of physical buttons and knobs means basic operations like climate control must be performed via the touchscreen, which seems needlessly complicated. Thankfully, some voice commands make control easier. Volvo's reputation for safety is present in the advanced safety features, but the frontal collision warning and automatic braking have a tendency to be overly sensitive and alarming when they trigger unexpectedly. | |
How’s the storage? | |
The V60 offers a best of both worlds' blend: the utility of an SUV with the handling and general size of a sedan. The luggage area behind the rear seats is decently useful, even though some rivals offer slightly more space. With the seats folded, there's 50.9 cubic feet of storage space available. The V60 has enough bins and storage spots to put your personal effects. Child seats are easy to install, and there's plenty of space for a rear-facing infant seat even behind taller front-seat occupants. | |
How’s the fuel economy? | |
After nearly 1,000 miles with the V60, we averaged 21.2 mpg. On our local mixed-driving evaluation loop, the V60 averaged 22.5 mpg, a bit lower than we expected. Both figures fall short of the EPA-estimated fuel economy of 25 mpg combined (21 city/31 highway) and could indicate difficulty hitting these targets in real-world driving. | |
Is the V60 a good value? | |
In terms of pricing, the V60 is on the expensive side among similarly equipped rivals. In return, you get an interior that is beautifully designed with high-quality materials and sturdy construction. It's refined and luxurious to justify the cost. Warranty duration is about average for the industry and other wagons, but lifetime coverage for parts and labor give the V60 an advantage. And free scheduled maintenance for three years is included. | |
Wildcard | |
The V60 attempts to straddle both camps of luxury and performance. It mostly succeeds with engine power and adept handling, but it falls behind with less sophisticated steering, braking and driver engagement. It's got interior luxury down pat, however; this is one of the more handsome and classy cabins you'll find in the segment. For those who want the versatility and convenience of an SUV but hanker for sedan-like driving dynamics, the V60 is an excellent choice. We would like it, though, if the suspension could smooth over bumps more gently. | |
Which V60 does Edmunds recommend?
Volvo V60 models
The 2021 Volvo V60 is a five-seat wagon based on the Volvo S60 sedan. It's available in four trim levels: Momentum, R-Design, Inscription and Polestar Engineered. There's also the V60 Cross Country, which is reviewed separately on Edmunds.
2021 Volvo V60 T8 Polestar Engineered pricing
in Ashburn, VA
2021 Volvo V60 T8 Polestar Engineered Features & Specs
- Base MSRP
- $67,300
- MPG & Fuel
- N/A City / N/A Hwy / 30 Combined
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 15.9 gal. capacity
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Drivetrain
- Type: all wheel drive
- Transmission: 8-speed shiftable automatic
- Engine
- Inline 4 cylinder
- Horsepower: 415 hp @ 6000 rpm
- Torque: 494 lb-ft @ 2200 rpm
- Basic Warranty
- 4 yr./ 50000 mi.
- Dimensions
- Length: 187.4 in. / Height: 56.6 in.
- Overall Width with Mirrors: 80.3 in.
- Overall Width without Mirrors: N/A
- Curb Weight: 4529 lbs.
- Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 23.2 cu.ft.
Safety
Our experts’ favorite V60 safety features:
- Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)
- Warns if another vehicle is lurking in your blind spot, and cross-traffic alert lets you know if something is approaching as you back out.
- City Safety Collision Avoidance
- Warns if a collision with a vehicle, pedestrian, cyclist or animal is imminent and applies the brakes if the driver doesn't react in time.
- Run-Off Road Mitigation
- Scans the road to detect if the vehicle may run off the road and automatically tightens the seat belts in preparation.
Volvo V60 vs. the competition
2021 Volvo V60
2021 Audi A4 Allroad
Volvo V60 vs. Audi A4 Allroad
The Audi A4 Allroad is the closest the V60 has to a direct competitor. Both are roughly the size inside and out and have a similar list of standard and available features. The Audi does come with standard all-wheel drive and a higher ride height with more ground clearance. That means the lifted V60 Cross Country is a closer competitor. The A4 Allroad sort of splits the middle ground between wagon and SUV, making it a good alternative to both.
Volvo V60 vs. Mercedes-Benz E-Class
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon is one of the few other traditional wagons around. It's significantly more expensive than the V60 but has a much larger cargo area and offers an optional rear-facing third row. The interior feels like a step up from the Volvo's, but that's to be expected with such a price bump. If you can swing it, we think the E-Class wagon is one of the best cars on the road today.
Volvo V60 vs. Volvo V90
The V90 is the V60's larger sibling. Both inside and out, it looks like a V60 that's been pulled and stretched slightly. Passenger space isn't significantly different between the two, but the larger V90 has substantially more cargo area. The interior feels like an upgrade in quality, and the V90 offers all-wheel drive without having to pay up for the taller, more expensive V90 Cross Country.
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FAQ
Is the Volvo V60 a good car?
What's new in the 2021 Volvo V60?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Volvo V60:
- Most features from last year's Premium package are now standard
- Part of the second V60 generation introduced for 2019
Is the Volvo V60 reliable?
Is the 2021 Volvo V60 a good car?
How much should I pay for a 2021 Volvo V60?
The least-expensive 2021 Volvo V60 is the 2021 Volvo V60 T8 Polestar Engineered 4dr Wagon AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger gas/electric hybrid 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $67,300.
Other versions include:
- T8 Polestar Engineered 4dr Wagon AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger gas/electric hybrid 8A) which starts at $67,300