Now our country is fighting for its right to choose European values. An example of such values, an example of such an approach can be the Volvo V60 station wagon – the new hero of the article, but also from the “old stocks”: this can be seen from the photo. I hope that Ukraine will win soon and the time will come when we can safely choose modern, high-quality, safe cars. Is it worth choosing the Volvo V60 station wagon, and if so, why? I’ll try to answer.
Positioning Volvo V60
The Volvo V60 is a premium station wagon of the middle class: such cars are very popular in the European market. Have you heard that sometimes in Europe for the same model more station wagons are sold than sedans? So, the Volvo V60 is one of the best examples of this. Moreover, this story began back in the 1990s, when the Volvo V70 was released (read “heavily updated version of the Volvo 850”). This was followed by the second-generation Volvo V70, then the Volvo V60 station wagons took over: the first generation came out in 2010, the second generation arrived in time for 2018.
Volvo ‘s large , front-wheel-drive station wagons have been around for a quarter of a century. The hero of the article was the second generation Volvo V 60 with a B4 engine in the R – Design package . Other variants of the Volvo V 60 will also be briefly shown.
How the Volvo V60 wagon rides
It rides interestingly and obviously not in the way that most motorists think about Volvo station wagons: there are unexpectedly many nuances here. Let’s start with a bunch of engine and automatic transmission. When driving at a normal pace, with smooth acceleration from traffic lights or in city traffic – not a single comment on the operation of the box, completely soft and subtle shifts. But there is a note to the motor: at low and medium speeds, it does not pull as you would expect from an almost 200-horsepower gasoline turbo – it feels like 170-180 “horses” here. So maybe add some revs? Surprisingly for an outwardly calm Volvo station wagon, however, if you press “properly”, then the engine growls noticeably at 5-6 thousand – it seems that he imagined himself under the hood of a “hot hatch” or a compact sports coupe. But after all, he also started to go: fast acceleration, a passion for high speeds, a frisky response to the accelerator pedal! Unexpected for a Volvo station wagon, but no less pleasant when managing acceleration.
Here, by the way, there is also a sports chassis. After all, with him the car goes unexpectedly “flat”: small rolls, enviable stability in a fast “running” arc, controversial responses to steering turns – almost without delay. But this same steering wheel makes quite “civilian” 2.5 turns from lock to lock, there is no “razor-sharp” sports steering. But in the behavior of the car there is already a certain stiffness of the suspension on broken roads and, worst of all, a small clearance – the latter is clearly not enough for our roads. In order to enjoy just such a Volvo V60 B4 R-Design car (we are talking about the configuration of the test instance), you often need to “turn” the engine to the maximum and drive quickly in twisted turns on good roads. I admit – it turned out to be an interesting recipe for destroying stereotypes about Volvo station wagons: suspension comfort and a large engine with “grassroots” traction, that’s all …
Looks great! Original and original, but also expensive and thoroughbred. Welcome to the R – Design package – it perfectly emphasizes all the features of the external design. But the sports suspension – perhaps not: as for me, it violates the character of the station wagon. The test car was equipped with a 2-liter gasoline turbo engine (almost 200 hp) and an 8-speed. automatic transmission. The best results of measurements of 0-100 km / h gave about 8.5 seconds – against the promised “exactly eight”. But you know what? I’m never late for anything: this Volvo V 60 station wagon seems to set a measured and calm, but not a slow pace of life.
If driving this car turned out to be a sort of set of separate impressions (no matter – good or bad), then the perception of the interior is radically different: a monolith! This feeling of solidity, protection, comfort is emphasized by literally all elements of the interior: a massive front panel and center console, large ventilation deflectors, a steering wheel with a thick and soft rim. At the same time – skillfully executed little things, like the audio control buttons or the engine start drum. Such details are just nice to touch.
The rear doors give access to the same cozy second row of seats. There is not too much space here, but quite enough – both for the knees and over the head. Plus, a comfortable wide armrest and ventilation deflectors located on the central pillars of the roof. I just want to slightly reduce the central tunnel and add heated seats. But the trunk is devoid of even these minimal remarks: a large volume and a wide opening, compartments for small items and hooks for packages, a well-developed underground, an electric opening drive …
The interior of the Volvo V 60 was remembered for its sense of solidity and high-quality finishes: such an unobtrusive, but cozy “premium”. There are, of course, questions about the integration of almost all control inside the display; but otherwise the ergonomics are at a good level: the shape of the seat and load distribution, seat adjustment ranges, the location of the primary controls, visibility (oh, if only the landing was a little higher). At the back, I would like to exchange a massive central tunnel for heated seats (I will show an example below). The trunk is worked out perfectly – it’s a station wagon, and even a Volvo !
Is there innovation in the Volvo V60 model
All medium and large Volvo cars today are built on the SPA (Scalable Product Architecture) platform, which provides for many interesting solutions: independent suspension (regular or pneumatic), the possibility of creating rechargeable hybrids, front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, aluminum subframes. At the same time, all cars on this platform are equipped without alternative with 4-cylinder 2-liter Drive-E engines: gasoline or diesel, a turbine or a compressor in addition, balancing shafts, a variable displacement oil pump, direct fuel injection, etc.
The Volvo V60 test station wagon was presented with an engine designated B4 – a 2-liter gasoline engine with one turbine and an average boost level, as well as an MHEV system (the so-called “mild hybrid”). It is paired with an 8-speed Aisin AW TG-815 automatic transmission, the car was equipped with the usual front-wheel drive (although there are also all-wheel drive versions of the Volvo V60, which I will discuss below). In a word, the Volvo V60 test car was an excellent example for demonstrating the “basics” of the SPA platform, but by no means its maximum capabilities.
The basis of the car is a load-bearing body (high-strength steels plus a little aluminum) and a SPA platform . Under the hood of all Volvo cars on this platform – only 4-cylinder 2-liter engines, gasoline or diesel. But power, type of drive (front or full) may differ, plus different driving settings are provided. The Sensus multimedia system (9-inch display) and 12.3-inch digital instrument panel are familiar from other cars of the brand – for example, Volvo XC40 and Volvo XC90 . As well as an extensive set of security systems: lane control, sign recognition, collision warning, etc.
The price of a Volvo V60 car and its competitors
A test drive of the car was carried out in mid-February, at the same time, information on it was being prepared. Given the uncertainty at the present time, I will allow myself to use the price list for the Volvo V60, which was then handed over to me – but I will also definitely indicate the price in euros (recalculated at the NBU rate for mid-February). Plus, we will analyze the equipment and cost of the test car. Plus, let’s add two examples of a car in other and obviously different versions. As a result, all this will allow fixing in memory plus or minus the real figures for the cost of a Volvo V60 car.
So, the Volvo V 60 station wagon in Ukraine started with the B 3 Momentum Pro version at a price of 1.13 million hryvnias or about 36 thousand euros : an engine of 163 hp. plus 8-st. Automatic transmission, parking sensors, central touch screen, fabric trim, 17-inch wheels, cruise control, LED headlights, traffic sign recognition and lane keeping, 2-zone climate control, front and side airbags, curtain airbags , etc.
The next step is Volvo V 60 B 4 R – Design at the price of 1.28 million UAH or almost 41 thousand euros . Now added to the above: 197 hp engine, keyless entry, Nappa leather trim, 18-inch wheels, power sports seats, sports chassis, metal pedals, etc.
Now consider the test car Volvo V 60, which was valued at 43.7 thousand euros . This is the B4 R-Design version, which optionally has been added: a rear-view camera, a heated steering wheel, induction charging for a smartphone, a preheater, etc. hybrid) and Volvo V60 Cross Country (cross version).
Two radically different examples of what a Volvo V 60 station wagon can be. A white car is a Volvo V 60 B 3 Momentum : 163 hp engine, fabric interior, steering wheel without gloss. But everything is also recognizable and cool front panel, digital “tidy”, a large central screen. Such a wagon in mid-February 2022 cost about UAH 1.17 million, or a little more than 37 thousand euros (at the NBU exchange rate at that time). The dark car is a Volvo V 60 Cross Country B 5 Momentum Pro : 250 hp and four-wheel drive (that’s why a large central tunnel), leather and gray wood in the cabin, plus heated rear seats and all-round visibility. The price for mid-February is about UAH 1.6 million, or almost 51 thousand euros (at the NBU rate at that time). Total: about 35-50 thousand euros, 163-250 hp, front or all-wheel drive, different configurations. Who is the rival?
The format of middle-class station wagons in Ukraine was small even before the start of a full-scale war – almost all brands went into crossovers. But still, several models can be found. For example, at one time station wagons were offered in the Audi A4 family (allroad version) and BMW 3-series . And if we talk about “popular” brands (as possible competitors to the initial versions of the Volvo V60), then Mazda6 SW tried to play here, plus the obligatory VAG models in the form of SKODA Superb and Volkswagen Passat.
But the Volkswagen Arteon seems to me the most competitor of the Volvo V60. At first glance, they are completely different cars: a restrained “Swede” and a bright “German”. But upon closer examination, they are very similar in many ways. These are cars for the buyer who wants to show their originality, these are clearly not mass models. However, these are very thoughtful cars for the whole family. Plus good equipment and approximately comparable prices.
The Volvo V 60 is a direct competitor to station wagons from Audi and BMW . But I also note Mazda , SKODA , Volkswagen station wagons : after all, there is not much choice in this class. Moreover, the Volvo V 60 will find something to interest car buyers of both the first group and the second.
Fuel consumption Volvo V60
In the city, a car consumes about 9 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (minimum 8.5 liters on weekends, maximum 9.5 liters on weekdays) – this is taking into account the winter and rather dense Kyiv traffic in early 2022. On the highway at a speed of 80-90 km / h, fuel consumption was 4.7-5 liters per 100 km, at a speed of 110-120 km / h – about 6.5 liters per 100 km of track.
Volvo V60 safety
Traditionally for Volvo, the car showed a very good level of safety: the Euro NCAP crash test cycle ended with a maximum five-star rating. Moreover, the driver and passenger almost always received “green marks” (maximum protection), only occasionally in some tests did the chest or legs receive “yellow / orange marks” (normal level of protection). Plus, almost maximum marks for protecting children and triggering active security systems. In other words, a well-deserved five stars.
Eventually
We started with the question of whether the Volvo V60 station wagon could be a reflection of those same European values. I would confidently answer “yes” to this question. This car is good because it is “premium” in its essence, inside – but does not require proof of this from the outside. You will find a high-quality and comfortable interior, thoughtfulness in detail, many security systems, good sound insulation. This car was made not so much about “how to look premium” as about “how to be premium”. However, if we talk about the maximum versatility of the station wagon, then I would exchange the sports package for the Cross Country version – with increased ground clearance and perimeter protection, mandatory all-wheel drive, and even softer suspension and thicker wheels. Perhaps this will be the ideal version of the Volvo V60 for Ukraine.
Pros:
Design outside and inside – distinctive and original, while “expensive”
Sophistication of the cabin – really “station wagon for the whole family”
A wide range of different versions with different features
Minuses:
With the promise of “almost 200 horses” you expect more traction from below and at medium speeds
The sports suspension here seems superfluous – just by the very idea of u200bu200bthis car
Specifications Volvo V 60 B 4 R – Design
Body – station wagon, 5 doors, 5 seats
Dimensions – 4.76 x 2.04 (including mirrors or 1.92 m without mirrors) x 1.43 m
Wheelbase – 2.87 m
Clearance – 147 mm
Trunk – 529 l (5 seats)
Engine – petrol, turbo R4 2.0 l MHEV (mild hybrid)
Power – 197 hp at 4800-5400 rpm
Torque – 300 Nm at 1500-4200 rpm
Drive – front drive
Transmission – 8-st. Automatic transmission (traditional hydromechanical automatic transmission)
Dynamics 0-100 km / h – 8 s
Maximum speed – 180 km / h
Passport consumption, combined cycle – 6.4-7.3 liters per 100 km
Test vehicle tires – Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 235/45R18
