The 2019 Volvo V60 is a automotive that checks all the fitting containers. It presents top-notch consolation with helpful utility, a driving expertise that is each participating and stress-free, and it appears like 1,000,000 bucks. Actually, no, two million.But if there’s one factor I’ve discovered after just a few stints in Volvo’s compact wagon, it is that you do not have to spend a ton of cash to get a really luxurious expertise. Nicely geared up proper from the get-go, the 2019 V60 presents a powerful case for going base.Forward Momentum”This car will absolutely not be a rental car,” Anders Gustafsson, CEO of Volvo North America stated at a media occasion for the S60 sedan and V60 wagon final 12 months. “These are very well-spec’d cars.”
To that time, the V60 Momentum comes commonplace with LED lighting, a panoramic moonroof, a 9-inch touchscreen operating Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an influence tailgate and leather-lined seats. Being a Volvo, security tools is in equally excessive provide, with the corporate’s City Safety collision avoidance system, run-off highway mitigation, lane-keeping help, highway signal data and rear park help fitted to each V60.
It’s a great-looking automotive proper out of the field, too. Subtle visible tweaks differentiate the S60 and V60 from their SPA platform mates, and the outcomes converse for themselves. With its upright fascia, lengthy dash-to-axle ratio, wheels pushed out to the corners and barely reshaped “Thor’s Hammer” operating lights, the V60 makes a powerful assertion on the highway — one which’s instantly recognizable as a Volvo, however in some way extra attention-grabbing. My solely advice is to ditch the Momentum trim stage’s commonplace 17-inch alloy wheels and improve to 18s, for $800. You may even go one inch bigger and get the 19s pictured on this check automotive, for $1,000, however I believe the not-too-big, not-too-small 18s look greatest.These 19-inch wheels are a $1,000 choice on the V60 Momentum.
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Less is extraThe V60 comes with two powertrain decisions, each of which could be had with the bottom Momentum trim stage. On the bottom finish, there’s the T5, with a 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 that produces 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, mated completely to front-wheel drive. The extra T6 brings all-wheel drive to the V60, and bolts a turbocharger and supercharger onto that 2.0-liter engine, leading to 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. An smooth-acting eight-speed automated transmission handles shifting duties for each setups.There are deserves to each engine decisions, however after prolonged time testing each, my cash’s on the less-powerful T5. At no level does the turbo-only 2.0-liter engine ever really feel underpowered, with loads of low-end and midrange torque for each off-the-line and at-speed acceleration. Sure, the T6 presents wholesome grunt — and the double dose of pressured induction is appreciated whereas driving at excessive altitudes — however it comes with just a few tradeoffs. The energy arrives at bizarre peaks throughout the rev vary because the turbocharger and supercharger attempt to work in concord.I’ve all the time maintained that SPA-platform Volvos are at their greatest of their least-powerful setups. I just like the T5 much more than the T6, and like each of these to the not-for-US T8 plug-in hybrid I just lately had the possibility to pattern. Despite an extra 56 horsepower and 37 pound-feet of torque, the T6 setup would not really feel way more . And it would not enhance on the T5’s great, intrinsic stability.What’s prettier: The Volvo V60 or the Colorado panorama?
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Effortless to drive and completely natural-feeling in its responses, the V60 is as fulfilling alongside mountain highway switchbacks as it’s down lengthy, boring stretches of freeway. The base chassis presents a snug experience with an ideal stability of taut reflexes and relaxed manners. Volvo presents its adaptive Four-C chassis for an additional $1,000, however the common suspension is so good that it is an choice field I might by no means suppose to verify.
Another benefit to the T5 setup is gasoline economic system, with EPA scores of 24 miles per gallon within the metropolis, 36 mpg on the freeway and 28 mpg mixed. The all-wheel-drive T6, in the meantime, reduces these numbers to 21, 31 and 25, respectively. It’s additionally price noting that just about everybody on the Roadshow employees has had a tricky time attaining these numbers, no matter powertrain. After 230 miles of testing a V60 T6 AWD, most of which have been spent on the freeway, I solely noticed 24 mpg.The solely tangible profit I can see to the T6 powertrain is that it helps you to add all-wheel drive to the celebration. On the opposite hand, the T6 engine comes at a $4,500 premium. If foul-weather prowess is the aim, take into account ready for the 2020 V60 Cross Country, which is able to pair the T5 engine to all-wheel drive for about the identical upcharge.City Weave seat cloth provides a little bit of aptitude to the V60’s good-looking inside.
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Snazzy duds, however not essentially the most spaceNo matter which trim you select, the V60 presents an ideal in-car expertise. All touchable supplies are of the best high quality, and some bits of brightwork adorn the inside’s in any other case minimalist design. Higher-spec R-Design and Inscription fashions unlock completely different accent supplies, together with an open-pore driftwood choice. But even in its most simple spec, the V60’s cabin is comfortable and quiet, with a really premium really feel.
The shapely leather-based seats are a number of the most snug thrones out there at any value level, and choosing the Momentum trim is the one solution to get Volvo’s ultra-cool City Weave fabric inserts. These bits of stylized cloth add nice visible aptitude, and I can not think about shopping for a V60 with out ’em.Front and rear passengers have ample area to stretch out, with class-appropriate shoulder- and legroom. Headroom is at a little bit of a premium, nevertheless — a byproduct of the V60’s smooth form. At least the usual panoramic sunroof lets a whole lot of gentle into the cabin, for a brilliant, ethereal ambiance.That low-slung roofline takes its toll out again, too. Make no mistake, the V60’s most cargo area of 50.9 cubic ft with the second row seats folded is sort of beneficiant. Long objects like, I do not know, flat-pack Ikea containers can have no bother becoming behind this spacious Swede. Taller items, however, aren’t really easy to accommodate. Both the Audi A4 Allroad and Buick Regal TourX supply more room for hauling. Heck, even the smaller Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen has a extra capacious rump.Oh, Sensus. You’re so fairly, however finally flawed.
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Same ol’ SensusThe V60 makes use of the identical Sensus infotainment system as each different Volvo, displayed on a 9-inch, portrait-style touchscreen within the heart of the sprint. My likes and dislikes are the identical right here as they’re in every other Volvo: Sensus is finally a lovely, feature-rich system, however it’s not the best to make use of.Swipe to the left and you will find buttons for all of the automotive’s controls, with simple on-off toggles for numerous driving aids. Swipe proper, and you will find completely different multimedia choices and third-party apps, and essentially the most just lately used operate will seem within the lowest tile of the Sensus dwelling display screen (that is additionally the place Apple CarPlay or Android Auto is housed). Swipe down from the highest, and you may enter the labyrinth of car settings. From brake pedal effort to Wi-Fi settings, it seems like nearly every little thing is adjustable.In an effort to repair the sluggish start-up and response occasions of earlier Sensus methods, Volvo started putting in a quicker processor into its infotainment hardware. All 2019 mannequin 12 months automobiles have this improve. Yes, the software program masses extra shortly than it did earlier than, however it’s nonetheless not fast sufficient. Firing up the V60 on a chilly morning, the system lags as I attempt to activate the heated seats and steering wheel. Once it is up and operating, Sensus not delays as you progress by means of its myriad menus. But similar to your creator, it wants just a little further time (and a cup of espresso) earlier than attending to work very first thing within the morning.The V60 is a wagon I might like to stay with on the every day.
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Ace of baseThe 2019 V60 begins at $38,900, not together with $995 for vacation spot, and even in its most simple kind, it seems like a whole lot of automotive for the cash. Make mine a T5 Momentum, add $645 for Denim Blue Metallic (Black Stone is the one no-cost choice) paint, $800 for the 18-inch wheels, skip the full-leather seating surfaces so I can get that candy City Weave upholstery sample and tack on $750 extra for the heated seats and steering wheel. Right there, I am $41,095 out the door.That stated, most patrons will possible go for issues just like the $2,500 Multimedia Package, which provides embedded navigation, a Harman Kardon premium audio system and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, or the $2,500 Advanced Premium Package, which will get you a head-up show, 360-degree digital camera, adaptive cruise management, LED foglights and different goodies.R-Design and Inscription fashions are available at $43,900 and $49,400, respectively, the latter of which might solely be had as a T6 AWD. Yeah, these trims add some distinctive bits of styling in and out, however I do not suppose any of it’s obligatory. Besides, the Momentum comes with all of the stuff you actually need — and it is as snug and good to drive as every other V60 variant. As a place to begin from which to create each different 2019 Volvo V60, the Momentum trim stage is a powerful, stable basis.
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