2021 Volvo V60

Is the Volvo V60 a Good Wagon?

Yes, the 2021 V60 is a good wagon, and it's available with either a gas engine or a plug-in-hybrid powertrain. Like most Volvos, the V60 comes standard with a wealth of safety features. Inside, it has adult-friendly seating and a reasonable amount of cargo room. This Volvo also has poised handling, though it isn't as enjoyable to drive as some classmates.

Why You Can Trust Us: 17 Reviews Analyzed

We’ve analyzed 17 Volvo V60 reviews, as well as performance specs, interior dimensions, fuel economy ratings, and more, to give you all the information you need to make a smart car-buying decision.

This 2021 V60 review incorporates applicable research for all models in this generation, which launched for 2019.

U.S. News Best Cars has been ranking and reviewing vehicles since 2007, and our staff has more than 75 years of combined experience in the auto industry. To ensure our objectivity, we never accept expensive gifts from carmakers, and an outside firm manages the ads on our site.

Should I Buy the Volvo V60?

The V60’s generous list of active safety features, roomy cabin, and composed ride make it a somewhat practical choice, despite its high price tag. Still, we recommend shopping around. The Audi A4 Allroad is more engaging to drive, and the Volvo V90 offers even more standard safety features and a slightly larger cabin.

Find a 2021 Volvo V60 for sale near you »

2020 vs. 2021 Volvo V60: What's the Difference?

For 2021, Volvo adds blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and LED headlights with active bending to the V60's standard features list. Additionally, the plug-in-hybrid Polestar Engineered trim is renamed as the Recharge trim.

Compare the 2020 and 2021 V60 »

Here are the key changes for the Volvo V60 over the last few years:

• 2017: six-cylinder engine discontinued
• 2018: reshuffled trims
• 2019: fully redesigned with additional horsepower in T5 and T6 models, updated styling, and a revamped infotainment system
• 2020: Cross Country and Polestar Engineered T8 plug-in-hybrid models introduced; T6 powertrain discontinued
• 2021: gains some standard safety features; plug-in-hybrid trim renamed

If you're considering an older model, be sure to read our 2018 V60, 2019 V60, and 2020 V60 reviews to help make your decision. Also, check out our Best New Car Deals and Best New Car Lease Deals pages to learn about savings and discounts you can find on new vehicles.

How Much Does the Volvo V60 Cost?

The 2021 Volvo V60 has a starting price of $41,595, which is above average for the class. The midlevel V60 R-Design and Inscription trims both start at $47,045, while the V60 Cross Country starts at $54,900. There's also a plug-in-hybrid variant, the V60 Recharge. It sports a steeper starting price of $67,300.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Volvo dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Volvo deals page.

Volvo V60 Versus the Competition

Volvo V60 vs. Audi A4 Allroad

The Audi A4 Allroad is one of our top-ranked wagons. Its standard all-wheel drive, peppy turbo-four engine, and smooth-shifting dual-clutch automatic transmission help it deliver a composed and fairly agile ride. The A4 Allroad is more expensive than the V60, but it has more cargo space and a more straightforward infotainment system. Add it all up, and it's a superior pick to the Volvo.

Compare the V60 and A4 Allroad »

Volvo V60 vs. Volvo V90

The Volvo V90 is essentially a larger version of the V60. Both Volvos have lots of standard infotainment features, a comfortable ride, and the same base turbo-four engine. There are some notable differences, though. The V90 has a tad more interior space and comes with more standard safety features, including the partially automated Pilot Assist driving system. The V60 is available as a plug-in hybrid, while the V90 offers a 316-horsepower twin-charged four-cylinder engine. If you don't mind spending several thousand dollars more for additional standard features and a slightly roomier cabin, you'll likely prefer the V90. If your budget is more limited or if you're interested in purchasing a plug-in hybrid, stick with the V60.

Compare the V60 and V90 »

Compare the V60, V90, and A4 Allroad »

V60 Interior: Lavish and Roomy Cabin

V60 Cargo Space

The V60 has an average amount of cargo space for a wagon. There’s 23.2 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seats and 50.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. Loading items into this space is pretty easy thanks to the low cargo floor and a standard hands-free liftgate.

How Many People Does the V60 Seat?

Five people can sit inside the V60. The front-row seats are comfortable and supportive with ample head- and legroom, and the driver can easily find a comfortable seating position thanks to standard power adjustments. The back seat is nearly as spacious as the front, with plenty of room, even for taller passengers.

V60 and Child Car Seats

There are two complete sets of LATCH connectors for the rear outboard seats and a tether anchor for the rear middle seat.

V60 Interior Quality

The V60's cabin is one of the most luxurious in the class. It features top-notch materials, including standard leather upholstery and wood accents. Optional amenities include Nappa leather upholstery and massaging front seats.

V60 Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation

Volvo's Sensus infotainment system comes standard in the V60. It's a decent system, but it may take a while to master. It's primarily controlled by a touch screen that has several menu options you can click through. This makes it challenging to use while the vehicle is in motion. Reviewers recommend using the standard steering wheel-mounted voice command, which makes the interface easier to operate while driving.

• Standard infotainment features: a 9-inch touch screen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a 10-speaker stereo, satellite radio, Bluetooth, two USB ports, and voice command
• Available infotainment features: navigation, a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system, a 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system, and wireless device charging
• Additional standard features: dual-zone automatic climate control
• Other available features: quad-zone automatic climate control

For more information, read What Is Apple CarPlay? and What Is Android Auto?

Read more about interior »

V60 Performance: Decent Performer

V60 Engine

A 250-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is standard in the V60. This mill produces a decent amount of pep both in the city and on the highway. The plug-in-hybrid Recharge trim features a turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor that make a combined 415 horsepower. These models are even quicker, and they're much more fuel-efficient. All models feature a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission.

V60 Gas Mileage

The gas-only V60 earns an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. That's about average for the wagon class. With all-wheel drive, estimates dip to 22 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.

The plug-in-hybrid V60 gets 60 MPG-equivalent under electric power and 30 mpg combined city/highway under gas power. It can also go 22 miles on electric power alone.

V60 Ride and Handling

Despite the V60's somewhat stiff suspension system, its ride is tuned for comfort. There are several driving modes that can alter steering and throttle response somewhat, but there’s still not much steering feedback.

Read more about performance »

V60 Reliability

Is the Volvo V60 Reliable?

The 2021 Volvo V60 has a below-average predicted reliability rating of 2.5 out of five.

Volvo V60 Warranty

The 2021 V60 comes with a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty.

Read more about reliability »

V60 Safety

V60 Crash Test Results

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2021 Volvo V60 an overall safety rating of five out of five stars, with four stars in the front crash test and five stars in the side crash and rollover tests.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has not crash tested the 2021 V60.

V60 Safety Features

Standard advanced safety features:

• Rearview camera
• Rear parking sensors
• Road departure mitigation
• Lane departure warning
• Lane keep assist
• Front and rear collision mitigation
• Traffic sign recognition
• Forward collision warning
• Pedestrian, cyclist, and large animal detection
• Automatic emergency braking
• Blind spot monitoring
• Rear cross traffic alert
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• LED headlights with active bending

Available advanced safety features:

• Front parking sensors
• Parallel and perpendicular park assist
• Head-up display
• 360-degree parking camera system
• Automatic high-beam headlights
• Adaptive cruise control
• Pilot Assist driver assistance system (helps you steer and keep a consistent speed)

Read more about safety »

V60 Dimensions and Weight

The V60 is about 15.6 to 15.7 feet long. Its curb weight ranges from 3,813 to 4,528 pounds.

Where Is the 2021 Volvo V60 Built?

Volvo builds the 2021 V60 in Sweden and Belgium.

Which Volvo V60 Model Is Right for Me?

The 2021 Volvo V60 comes in five trims: Momentum (base), R-Design, Inscription, Cross Country, and Recharge (plug-in hybrid). The first three trims feature a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive. The Cross Country comes with the same engine and adds all-wheel drive. The Recharge trim is a plug-in-hybrid model that also comes standard with all-wheel drive.

The plug-in-hybrid Recharge trim improves fuel efficiency and acceleration, but it has a much higher sticker price. Unless those two things are high on your priority list, we suggest sticking with the base Momentum trim. It's loaded with safety, comfort, and infotainment features like lane departure warning, leather upholstery, and Apple CarPlay.

Volvo V60 Momentum

The base Momentum trim (MSRP: $41,595) comes with leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 9-inch touch screen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a 10-speaker stereo, satellite radio, Bluetooth, two USB ports, voice command, auto-dimming mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a hands-free liftgate.

Standard advanced safety features include a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, road departure mitigation, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, oncoming collision mitigation, traffic sign recognition, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rain-sensing windshield wipers, LED headlights, and pedestrian, cyclist, and large animal detection.

Several packages are available. The Climate package retails for $750 and includes a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, and heated windscreen washers. The Premium package costs $1,700 and adds front parking sensors, navigation, and a universal garage door opener. The Advanced package costs $2,100 and adds the Pilot Assist driver assistance system, adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, a 360-degree parking camera system, and wireless device charging.

Individual add-ons include a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system that costs $800.

Volvo V60 R-Design

The R-Design starts at $47,045 and adds trim-specific styling, Nappa leather upholstery, quad-zone automatic climate control, navigation, a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system, and front parking sensors.

The aforementioned Climate package is again available for $750, while the Advanced package costs $1,900 with this trim. You can add a 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system for $3,200.

Volvo V60 Inscription

Also starting at $47,045, the Inscription trim has mostly the same standard and available features as the R-Design trim, but its interior and exterior styling is different.

Volvo V60 Cross Country

The Cross Country trim has a starting price of $54,900. It has the base model's features, as well as heated front seats, navigation, all-wheel drive, a raised suspension, and hill descent control.

The Climate package costs $450 and the Advanced package costs $1,700 with this trim. A Lounge package costs $2,800 and adds massaging front seats, quad-zone automatic climate control, power-front thigh extenders, four-way power-adjustable front-seat lumbar support, and passenger seat memory settings.

Volvo V60 Recharge

The Recharge trim (MSRP: $67,300) is a plug-in-hybrid model that comes with all-wheel drive and practically every feature that the V60 offers.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Volvo dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Volvo deals page.

See 2021 Volvo V60 specs and trims »

The Final Call

The 2021 Volvo V60 boasts one of the most luxurious interiors in the wagon class. It also has roomy seating, lots of standard safety tech, and a comfortable ride. However, some rivals are more enjoyable to drive and offer more user-friendly infotainment systems.

Don't just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.

• "The Volvo V60 is a great car. It’s also a rarity these days, as there aren’t that many luxury station wagons. It is practical, safe, tech-savvy, looks gorgeous and drives well." -- Autotrader
• "The Volvo V60 is a premium station wagon, essentially a more practical, cargo-swallowing version of the S60 sedan. It is the kind of vehicle the Swedish luxury automaker does best. And while rivals like BMW have shunned the wagon segment, the V60 is alive, well and highly alluring." -- Kelley Blue Book
• "The redesigned Volvo V60 makes a compelling case as an urbane yet practical premium vehicle for those who don't want to follow the herd. It may not be the ultimate driving machine, but it handles better and uses less fuel than many high-riding SUVs or crossovers, while offering a similarly configurable and capacious interior." -- Motor Trend (2019)