Volvo V60

2016 Volvo V60

Pros: Good cargo versatility with handy 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat; impressive-for-the-class projected fuel economy from new 4-cylinder engine; unique available safety equipment; some testers prefer V60’s traditional push-button audio and climate controls to the touchscreen and/or joystick interfaces of many class rivals

Cons: Cramped rear-seat space; stiff ride with available 19-inch tires, acceleration isn’t very linear with 4-cylinder engine; unrefined operation of 4-cylinder’s start/stop feature

CG Says: For 2016, Volvo V60 will phase out its 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine midyear and replace it with a supercharged and turbocharged version of its new “Drive-E” 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. The T5 Cross Country was added midseason last year. It has a raised ride height and unique styling features. A limited edition Polestar has a 345-horsepower version of the 3.0-liter 6-cylinder, sport suspension, and uprated brakes. The V60 is essentially a station-wagon version of Volvo’s S60 midsize car. The V60 offers Volvo’s new Drive-E 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engines in addition to the carryover 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine. Both Drive-E engines are mated to an 8-speed transmission and have fuel-saving start/stop function. The turbocharged 4-cylinder is rated at 240 horsepower and is available only on front-wheel drive models where it achieves EPA mpg estimates of 25 city/37 highway. A 302-horsepower supercharged and turbocharged version of the 2.0-liter four is available on AWD T6 models and rated 22 city/31 highway by the EPA. Being a Volvo, the V60 is available with a host of safety features, including Lane Keeping Aid and a Pedestrian Detection system that can also detect cyclists. In all, the V60 inherits the virtues and vices of its S60 sedan sibling, but its extra cargo capacity and surprisingly swoopy styling give it a unique character that stands out in the premium midsize-car class. Still, we recommend checking out the competitive wagons from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz as well.

The Facts
Class Premium Midsize Car
Body Style(s) 4-door wagon
Passenger Count 5
Drive Wheels front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive
Manufacturer Volvo
Nation of Manufacturer Belgium
Base Prices 2WD T5: $36,150
AWD T5: $37,650
2WD T5 Premier: $38,100
AWD T5 Premier: $39,600
2WD T5 Platinum: $41,750
AWD T5 Platinum: $43,250
AWD T6 R-Design 6-cylinder: $45,800
AWD T6 R-Design 4-cylinder: $46,050
AWD T6 R-Design Platinum 6-cylinder: $49,200
AWD T6 R-Design Platinum 4-cylinder: $49,450
AWD T6 Polestar: $60,900

Base Engine
turbocharged (T5) or turbocharged/supercharged (T6) 2.0-liter 4-cylinder
Horsepower
240 (T5), 302 (T6)
Std. Transmission
8-speed automatic
Avail. Transmission
NA
EPA City Range (mpg)
22-25
EPA Hwy Range (mpg)
31-37

Optional Engine
2.5-liter 5-cylinder
Horsepower
250
Std. Transmission
6-speed automatic
Avail. Transmission
NA
EPA City Range (mpg)
20
EPA Hwy Range (mpg)
28-29

Optional Engine
3.0-liter 6-cylinder
Horsepower
325 (T6), 345 (Polestar)
Std. Transmission
6-speed automatic
Avail. Transmission
NA
EPA City Range (mpg)
18
EPA Hwy Range (mpg)
27

Volvo V60 Cross Country
2016 Volvo V60 T6 Cross Country
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