The time period “cookie cutter” normally throws shade at an automaker for failing to create an expressive design for every of its autos (assume Audi’s which-car-is-which lineup). However once you’re Volvo, and you have come out with among the best design languages in current reminiscence, you would be dumb to not slap that look on all the pieces.

It is not simply design, although. From the in-car tech to the engine, Volvo used each trick in its elements bin with the 2019 V60, and the end result could be its best-packaged car but.

A complete new look, sorta

At first look, the 2019 V60 shares nearly each angle with its larger brother, the V90. However on nearer inspection, I believe it truly seems higher. The V60’s rear glass is not as raked, giving its rear finish extra of a conventional wagon form than the V90. The headlights are barely totally different, with the LED “Thor’s Hammer” working gentle slicing by means of the lens and virtually extending to the grille. Throw in a livelier pair of character strains on the aspect and a few chiseled sculpting within the entrance bumper, and you have got a wonderfully proportioned midsize wagon.

It is the identical inside. The 90-series autos have huge punches of wooden trim on the sprint, whereas the V60 makes use of a thinner, streamlined design. It nonetheless bears excess of a passing resemblance to each different new Volvo, however its minimalist, no-fuss format remains to be among the best within the luxurious phase. Ample glass on each aspect means I’ve gentle and visibility for days. Whereas it is smaller than the V90, the cargo space can nonetheless maintain 4 suitcases side-by-side, and the load flooring is sweet and low for straightforward entry.

The V60’s normal leather-based seats are a lot comfy, however on the bottom Momentum trim, patrons have the no-cost possibility to change to a plaid fabric, which seems absolutely the enterprise. Out again, there are inches of leftover legroom when a six-foot-tall passenger sits behind an equally tall driver, and the wagon’s flat roof means rear headroom is not a lot totally different than up entrance. 

The perfect use for the T6 engine but

When the V60 launches within the US in 2019, it’s going to have three powertrain decisions: The front-wheel-drive T5 with its 250-horsepower I4, the all-wheel-drive T6 with its 316-horsepower I4 and the plug-in-hybrid T8 with 400 web horsepower. (There are diesel trims, in addition to a second PHEV variant, in different markets.) My time is spent within the mid-tier T6, albeit wrapped in its fanciest Inscription trim, which provides swanky bits similar to four-zone local weather management, 10-way energy entrance seats and fairly driftwood inlays.

The T6 engine is offered on each new Volvo except for XC40, however I believe it feels most at house within the V60. It would not have to hold the additional heft of the 90-series autos or the marginally bulkier XC60, so extra turbocharged-and-supercharged hustle comes by means of when that you must enter a freeway or punch by means of site visitors. The eight-speed computerized feels clean and unobtrusive.

The V60 does carry a little bit of conventional European-market composure (learn: stiffness) round city in Consolation mode, a few of which will be pinned to the Inscription’s massive wheels and skinny tires. I can ramp up the street really feel by placing the automotive in Dynamic mode, which adjusts the steering, throttle, shift factors and even the brakes for a barely sportier trip. There’s additionally an Eco mode that numbs the inputs and short-shifts for thrift, if that is what you are into. Even in its stiffest setting, although, the V60 stays comfy, even with out the 90-series’ air suspension, which is not an possibility.

Infotainment wants enhancing

Volvo’s Sensus Join infotainment system resides on a vertically oriented touchscreen. Whereas it packs nice options similar to embedded apps (Yelp, Spotify) and each Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it has been maligned up to now for being on the sluggish aspect. The V60, nonetheless, packs a brand new chipset with 50 % extra processing energy, which means the system begins up a lot sooner and is ready to convey techniques just like the digital camera on-line in an even bigger hurry.

It could nonetheless be a bit daunting, as a swipe to both aspect of the house display screen presents me with dense menus that may change absolutely anything on the automotive. However whereas it is advanced, it is practical, and extras together with a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot are good additions.  

On the security entrance, normal tools contains computerized emergency braking, lane departure warning and a steering help that may increase my wheel enter if I swerve to keep away from an imminent collision. The one piece of security tools that is not normal is blind spot monitoring, which is offered as an possibility.

Additionally obtainable is Volvo’s Pilot Help lane-holding system, an enhanced model of adaptive cruise management that helps the car keep centered in its lane. It is principally for stop-and-go site visitors, and at no level is it a hands-off affair, but it surely helps cut back on-road tedium. In my expertise, it really works fairly effectively, avoiding the ping-pong impact of different automakers’ techniques.

Like and subscribe… once more

Care by Volvo, the automaker’s new subscription-based program, might be obtainable on the V60 when it launches. We do not know the US pricing but, but it surely’d be sensible to imagine a beginning subscription worth above the costliest XC40 trim ($700 monthly). Do you have to select a conventional shopping for technique, anticipate an MSRP beginning someplace within the $40,000 vary.

Even if 80 % of Volvo’s US gross sales quantity is made up of SUVs, the corporate is dedicated to providing wise wagons and sedans as options. Having pushed the brand new XC60, I consider the V60 has it beat by way of each seems and driving dynamics. In reality, I believe it is one in all Volvo’s greatest implementations of its elements catalog so far, and if patrons are prepared to forego trip peak in favor of one thing extra carlike, the V60 is value greater than only a look.

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