Volvo simultaneously took a trip down memory lane while keeping its eyes on The Future™ when it unveiled the new V60 this week. Remember when Volvo was synonymous with practical wagon-based transportation for upstanding middle-class families? Those days are here again; but they are also gone, as the brand has transformed itself by offering models with exquisite styling, improved performance, and gobs of tech.
These are no longer nice square cars for nice square people. They’re sex machines intended for people who want to make a statement about who they are — and may happen to have children. But Volvo hasn’t abandoned its recipe entirely. It’s still a bit of an odd duck as European manufacturers go, and it’s still building desirable station wagons.
While many of them border on the crossover category, the company has stuck with estate cars, the V90 being the biggest jewel in that particular crown. The new V60 is essentially a scaled-down and more affordable version of that model. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to tell them apart without careful inspection.
It’s also a luxury vehicle and not one of the ultra-practical hatchbacks Volvo was once known for. That’s probably okay because most people interested in loading up their vehicle with lumber will probably choose an SUV or crossover, anyway. It will still definitely be more utilitarian than the brand’s sedans, but the sportback design is intended for style, not maximizing interior volume.
Whether or not this translates to improved sales in North America is anybody’s guess. Volvo’s wagons remain popular in Europe but haven’t done so well in the United States lately. The outgoing V60 only saw 4,429 deliveries in the U.S. for 2017, while the S60 sedan managed 11,358. The V90 is even rarer, being available only by special order from Volvo dealers.
Alright, so we have a semi-practical luxury wagon existing within a niche market. Why the hell would Volvo think America’s middle-class would be interested?
Well, in addition to the vastly improved styling and a rather luxurious interior, the automaker outfitted the new V60 with some heavy tech updates and numerous engine options, including one that produces 390 horsepower. Of course, the standard model uses the automaker’s 250-horsepower 2.0-liter T5 powerplant driving only the front wheels. But it can be upgraded to the turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter T6 with all-wheel drive and 316 ponies. The engines are also separated by the Momentum and Inscription trim levels — the latter of which adds loads of exterior detailing, fancier wheels, additional digital driver aids, and a 12.3-inch instrument cluster. However, both get the panoramic roof and plenty of standard tech.
Europe will also see the V60 available as a 390-horsepower variant or plug-in hybrid. There is also a new 340-hp version available. While Volvo hasn’t confirmed either of these engines for North America, the company was also very careful avoided saying they wouldn’t eventually make their way here. In fact, we’d say it’s a pretty safe bet to assume they will.
The company also wants to make sure we’re aware it upgraded its Pilot Assist system. The adaptive cruise suite now supports steering, braking, and accelerating inputs at speeds up to 80 mph. Its City Safety automatic braking system now tries to mitigate oncoming collisions.
Production of the 2019 V60 should begin posthaste in Sweden and Belgium, as South Carolina gears up to produce its sedan sibling later this year. The new S60 will be unveiled sometime in the middle of 2018, while the V60 will make its physical debut at the Geneva Motor Show this March.
Pricing and additional details should be announced closer to the vehicle’s official delivery date. Volvo did say the V60 will be available in the U.S. via the Care by Volvo subscription payment plan launched last year alongside the XC40 SUV. The subscription service covers everything (except fuel) through monthly payments, and customers can choose to swap into a new Volvo after the first year. Obviously, you can still finance or lease the vehicle as well.
[Images: Volvo Cars]
Nice looking wagon except for the taillights. The fabric interior looks like lawn furniture, I’d definitely go with the leather.
You might just looking at the Swedish variant. For America, you may not even get the fabric
We can dream.
LOVE. The plaid.
The outgoing V60 sat at a tricky intersection of size and price.
This sex positivity machine appears to fix the former, despite the long hood.
Plus an antequated AWD system that the new 2018 Regal TourX bests.
I have to admit the Regal TourX will be the more “traditional” and therefore safer choice in this segment. However, you should not kid yourself about whether one AWD is better than the other in this segment. Is it there or is it not is all that’s ever going to matter.
The Opel TourX is fugly in comparison.
They’re not both Haldex?
I believe Volvo is still using Haldex. GM is using GKN these days.
Tasty.
But I wonder if the non-Cross Country version will have to be special-ordered, like the V90.
And, sorry, I LOVE the plaid seats. Then again, I am a GTI fanboy. We’re weird that way.
Even with my horrible used Volvo 850 GLT experience, I still like this car.
I remember good times when this beauty came with manual gearbox. My friend got one. It was really nice car. This is my type of car. One day…
PLAID!
Bet we won’t get that. We’ll get vinyl or leather.
And finally the V60 looks current. The old one didn’t sell because it didn’t look great, didn’t carry a lot of cargo, was an odd size as mentioned above, and was too expensive without justification.
It looks like you’re right. Volvo has been updating the U.S. site all day and it’s still pretty wonky but the last thing they added was the interior options. Plenty colors but no fabric option and definitely no plaid. Also it’s only listing the T6 engine for all trims. Maybe the T5 isn’t available for early orders… or maybe it’s not coming. Volvo seemed to indicate the T5 was bound for the U.S. but that could have been a PR goof.
That is one sexy brick. It’ll be out of my price range, but I’m sure they’ll sell to people that don’t want a Rogue.
Hahaha, it’ll cost way more than a Rogue.
Or a Rogue and a Rogue Sport since this will probably start over $40k
Just wait for the CPO used ones. Almost bought one 2 years ago. Volvo has the best CPO warranty in the business. They will be on my radar in about a year.
The current S90 is $10,000 off MSRP on autotrader, why wait?! Volvo has always had some good discounting like the doemestics do.
who discounts more than Buick?
possibly Nissan.
As a percentage Vovlo is right up there with highest discounters.
Two other sites have already reported that the V60 T5 will have 310 hp, the T6 will be a mild hybrid with 340 hp, and the T8 will be 390. All will be available in the US. I imagine this will cause reshuffling of what a T5 means in a 2019 XC60 amd XC90, as well as the S90/V90/
I doubt that will be the case, if only because Volvo is currently updating it’s US site to include the new V60. So far it only lists the T6 AWD (rated at 316 hp/296 lb-ft). Volvo also already confirmed both hybrids will be twin-engine plug-ins rated at 340 and 390 hp.
I wonder how many will sell in Midsomer?
Jag tror at det skal vara mange, mange bilar! Det kann ske at jag köpar en ny Volvo nästa tid, och rejsar til Sverige för at kör til min vänns somerstuga för Midsomar.
No “L” VINs with this one!
Good!
My Envision is top notch for $35K range with no problems in one year or 14,000 miles.
I’m glad you’re having a good experience so far, but wouldn’t you assume that there won’t be problems in the first 14,000 miles with just about any car? I’d be appalled if anything major had cropped up in one of my cars in the first 40,000 – at least.
40K miles? These days I’d expect that as long as you do routine servicing you should get to 100K miles before you have any problems.
Yep, I paid $15,700 plus tax,etc for my 2015 Fit in October 2014. After only 3 and half years and a mere 56000 miles I had to completely replace the rear wiper blade! I’m out $12.85. Darn Mexican made junk. sarc.
Unlike Motor Trend longterm Mercedes GLC that just went in for a 10,000 mile-$281 oil/filter and tire rotation, I’ve incurred no expense in thr first year except gasoline.
And you wouldn’t tell us if you had any additional expenses.
The Envision 2.0T now has over 350 lb-ft of torque and we’ll see if there any additional expenses.
Even my BMW made it 14k miles. New transfer case at 17k, but what’s a repair under warranty between friends?
Envision is Chinese crap.
Suits you.