New for 2015

The 2015 Volvo V60 is a brand new addition to Volvo’s lineup.

A Blast from the Past with an Eye on the Future

Volvo virtually defined the wagon market for a large chunk of the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s, but as American buyers' interest in wagons waned in recent years, so too did the Swedish automaker's presence in the segment.

That’s about to change, though, and Volvo’s latest people mover to hit American shores is nothing like those classic hipster boxes of the past—far from it. If you’re one of the many drivers that could never quite imagine themselves in a wagon, the 2015 Volvo V60 is here to convert you into a believer—and it’s very convincing.

The 2015 Volvo V60 is a sleek, dare we say sexy, and premium-filled luxury wagon. It offers excellent value and appeal thanks to its large cargo capacity and spacious interior. Indeed, the V60 is a true family hauler, with room for five, but it does so with power, poise, and Volvo’s sterling reputation for safety.

Powertrains and Performance

Options are good, which is why Volvo offers V60 drivers a choice between three available powertrains.

Starting from the bottom and moving our way up, the standard T5 Drive-E model features Volvo’s new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that pumps out 240 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This particular engine forgoes a manual option and available all-wheel drive in favor of front-wheel drive and a standard eight-speed automatic transmission.

EPA-estimated fuel economy for the T5 E-Drive is rated at 29 mpg combined (25 city/37 highway).* This excellent fuel economy is aided by the aforementioned eight-speed automatic and a new standard automatic stop/start system, which shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a halt in order to save fuel.

Drivers seeking the additional sure-footedness of all-wheel drive should opt for Volvo’s turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder. This particular mill churns out 250 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, and is mated to a standard six-speed automatic transmission.

Finally, drivers looking to operate more frequently on the red side of the tachometer, the T6 AWD R-Design utilizes a turbocharged 3.0-liter six cylinder that generates a hefty 325 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. This is easily the sportiest model in the lineup and, as its name suggests, features standard all-wheel drive as well as a six-speed automatic.

Features and Trims

The 2015 Volvo V60 is available in three trims: T5 Drive-E, T5 AWD, and R-Design T6 AWD. These are further broken down into sub-trims that include base, Premium Plus, and Platinum.

Volvo’s commitment to value is evident in its features lineup, where the entry-level T5 Drive-E offers a robust list of standard equipment that will surely appeal to a wide range of buyers. Standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, and dynamic LED running lights. Automatic wipers add an extra layer of refinement, while dual-climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and large sunroof create an even more luxurious-feeling cabin.

Tech fans will also appreciate the excellent Bluetooth® integration that lets drivers pair their smartphone and make and receive calls hands-free. Audio streaming is also made easy and is belted out from the vehicle’s eight-speaker sound system, which includes a CD player, satellite and HD radio, and a USB/iPod port.

As if that wasn’t enough, interested V60 shoppers can also up the ante with the Premier sub trim, which adds amenities such as keyless ignition, customizable digital gauges, and an auto dimming rearview mirror. Likewise, the Premier Plus and Platinum trims offers even more goodies, ranging from power-folding mirrors to a navigation system. An upgraded premium 12-speaker surround-sound audio system is also available.

A la carte options also exist. Here, drivers can upgrade to 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels, add adaptive xenon headlights, toss in an automatic parallel parking system, or even add a rear seat entertainment system.

Exterior/Interior

A sloping roofline, sleek low-to-the-ground stance, and a muscular hood are but a few of the V60’s visual highlights. A wagon in name only, the V60 ups its style quotient with remarkable success, leaving onlookers powerless to its many charms. Volvo has placed a lot of emphasis on instilling a level of grace and elegance to its most recent designs, and the V60 is simply a sight to behold.

That same level of style and elegance translates to the V60’s interior as well, where subtle and smart design touches can be seen throughout. Up front, the V60 utilizes the same stunning TFT digital instrument cluster as its S60 sedan sibling, while other signature Volvo elements, like the “waterfall” center stack and human-shaped climate controls, where one simply press the “head” to direct airflow to your face, make a welcome appearance.

It’s not all about style, though, and as all wagons should, the V60 offers plenty of livable space for occupants both up front and in the rear. The V60 also provides a voluminous 43.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seatbacks folded down as well as the added flexibility of an available fold-flat front passenger seat.

Safety

The 2015 Volvo V60's list of standard safety features includes antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, active front head restraints and Volvo's City Safe system. City Safe is of particular note, as it can automatically apply the brakes at speeds up to 31 mph in order to prevent and or mitigate frontal collisions.

The V60 also features a number of available advanced safety technologies, including additional frontal collision warning with full auto-braking, lane departure warning and lane-keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert to name a few.

Bottom Line

Despite their popularity, not everyone needs or wants an SUV or crossover. For those of you that long to rekindle or start your love affair with these practical people carriers, the 2015 Volvo V60 is by far the most attractive option.

With the V60, buyers now have a viable premium wagon that delivers strong fuel economy, available AWD, and in R-Design models, a true track-day performer. Factor in Volvo’s penchant for safety, while adding a generous helping of Swedish style, and the only thing left to do is figure what color you want.

Of course, before we get ahead of ourselves, why not contact and visit 3Birds Template to test drive the 2015 Volvo V60 for yourself. You won’t regret it.

*EPA estimates. Your mileage will vary

Image: Volvo