Impressive V60 D3 from Volvo

Test Drive by Graham Breeze

The Volvo V60 D3 Momentum Pro is so good it proved an embarrassment to this test driver of some 40 years.

When an hour into a motorway drive an inquisitive passenger asked whether the Volvo was petrol or diesel this experienced driver was caught out for an answer for a few seconds – which demonstrated just how refined this cruiser is.

Soft suspension is to thank for the comfortable motorway drive and while the downside may well be a less dynamic performance than some of Volvo’s illustrious opponents in this sector it’s certainly not enough to mark the V60 D3 down when it comes to point scoring.

And despite not being built to leave the boy-racers in its wake the two-litre D3 diesel is no slouch with a top speed of 125mph and 0-62mph in 9.6 seconds. Combined fuel figures of 58.9mpg are claimed along with C02 emissions of 126g/km, which won’t frighten off the fleet buyer.

The V60 is Volvo’s second new-generation 60 series model – after the multi-award-winning XC60 SUV – and is built on the company’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform.

Every engine is a powerful yet efficient Drive-E unit, designed and built by Volvo. The V60 also brings much of the cutting-edge connectivity, entertainment and safety technology from the larger 90 series cars – the S90 saloon, V90 estate and XC90 SUV – to the premium mid-size estate segment.

A choice of three 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engines is initially offered – D3 and D4 diesels, and a T5 petrol. Two petrol-electric plug-in Twin Engine hybrids and a second petrol engine are on the way.

The D3, D4 and T5 V60s are all front-wheel drive. Both diesel engines are available with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox, while the petrol comes with the eight-speed automatic as standard.

The D3 Momentum Pro we tested may have had an on-the -road price of £31,810 but an automatic gearbox along with option packs took the total up to £44,265.

Those additional costs included just under £4,000 for automatic gearing,; £2,000 for Xenium Pack which brought panoramic sunroof, parking camera and park-assist pilot; Intellisafe Pro Pack adding pilot assist, cruise control, blind spot information, cross traffic alert, rear collision mitigation, auto-dimming mirrors and convenience pack containing folding rear seat backrest and headrests, 12volt sockets, grocery bag holder, load protection net and front tunnel net pocket.

Other options included 19inch alloys, CD player, child locks, power passenger seat, sensus connect, smartphone integration, an “old fashioned” spare wheel, tinted glass and metallic paint.

Standfard fittings included a nine-inch centre console touch screen, Volvo On Call with app available for your smartphone, watch or tablet enabling remote control of various car functions, as well as acting as an emergency and tracking service.

There’s also a power assisted rear tailgate, rear parking sensors and hill-start assist along with all the other range-topping safety additions we have come to expect from Volvo.

Momentum Pro brings leather-faced upholstery, a head-up display in the windscreen, active bending LED headlights with adaptive shadow technology, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

If it’s space you are looking for the V60 D3 won’t disappoint with comfortable seating for five and a 539-litre boot. With seats folded that increases to a very competitive 1,441 load bay – enough to meet the needs of either family or business.

The V60 has been collecting prestigious awards from those supposedly in the know in the motoring industry proving that Volvo knows a bit more than the rest about the mid-sized estate sector. All the right boxes have been ticked.