The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

2020 Volvo V60 T8 E-AWD Polestar Review by John Heilig


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)

THE AUTO PAGE
By John Heilig
Senior Editor and Bureau Chief
Mid-Atlantic Bureau
THE AUTO CHANNEL


REVIEWED MODEL: 2020 Volvo V60 T8 E-AWD Polestar
ENGINE: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4
TRANSMISSION: 
HORSEPOWER/TORQUE: 328 hp @ 6,000 rpm (total 415 hp)/295 lb.-ft @ 2,200-4,800 rpm
WHEELBASE: 113.1 in.
LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT: 187.4 x 72.8 x 56.4 in.
TIRES: P235/40R19
CARGO CAPACITY: 60 cu. ft. (est.)
ECONOMY: 18.2 mpg test
FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 15.9 gal.
CURB WEIGHT: 3,725 lbs.
TOWING CAPACITY: 3,500 lbs.
COMPETITIVE CLASS: Buick Regal, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, 
STICKER: $68,940 (includes $995 delivery, $1,640 options)
BOTTOM LINE: The Volvo V60 wagon is a unique vehicle in that it is a wagon, but it is also unique in that it has many user-unfriendly problems.

Many years ago, our growing family had a Ford LTD station wagon with wood decals on the side. Over the course of time we had a similarly attired Dodge Volare, but as a second car. Today, the family garage has a 1965 MG Midget, 2001 Buick LeSabre and a 2020 Hyundai Tucson (none with wood decals on the side). But I still like wagons, even if they are as scarce as dodo birds.

Volvo never gave up on wagons, even though they also build SUVs and sedans. The V60 is pure Volvo, with all the safety features you’d expect plus Swedish luxury - for a price.

Among the numerous safety features are LED headlights, automatic high beams and turning lights. Of course there’s a blind spot monitoring system and rear cross traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control keeps you a sensible distance from the vehicles in front of you, along with collision avoidance and low and high speed collision mitigation. Often, when I thought I was behaving, the car would alert  me with a red warning. There’s also a 360-degree camera that gives you a view of what’s around you.  My wife liked the gold colored seat belts and harnesses. You can’t miss them. Maybe the color is there so authorities can quickly ascertain whether your belts are on or not. 

Under the hood is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four and 8-speed automatic transmission. The engine develops 328 horsepower, and with the assistance of the electric motor, rises up to a total of 415 horses.

The heated and ventilated front seats offer excellent side support. However, my wife noted that with the high seat bolsters it isn’t that easy to enter or exit the V60. Rear seats have good legroom, but there is a tall center hump to make center passengers uncomfortable. The rear seat backs fold easily to create a large flat cargo floor. 

Overall, the ride is firm, but not harsh. You do feel most of the bumps in the road, however.  The infotainment screen is used to get the seats to work, plus the heated wheel.  Before SUVs, wagons were the vehicles of choice for carrying stuff. The V60 has good cargo capacity, probably enough for most normal carrying. There’s a shade to cover whatever you have back there. However, when the shade is drawn back partially to get your stuff, it obstructs rearward vision. The rear hatch can be opened from the fob, a button on the dash, or by wiggling your foot under the rear bumper.  

The Volvo V60 is a very good modern wagon. The engine, while noisy at times, has plenty of oomph to get you out of (and into) trouble.

(c) 2020 The Auto Page Syndicate