Overview
Practicality and luxury go hand-in-hand in the 2021 Volvo V60 station wagon, which is based on the Swedish automaker’s S60 sedan. The V60 also earns a spot on our Editors’ Choice list. Offered both in regular and lifted Cross Country guise, the V60 is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and can be had with either front- or all-wheel drive. A high-performance plug-in hybrid variant is also offered and brings big thrills to this grocery-getter— along with up to 22 miles of electric-only driving. The V60 and its SUV- inspired V60 Cross Country version has few competitors—the Audi A4 Allroad, the Mercedes-Benz E-class, and the larger Volvo V90 spring to mind—but its posh cabin, long list of standard features, and reasonable base price make it the bargain of the bunch.
What’s New for 2021?
Like the rest of the Volvo lineup, the V60 and V60 Cross Country gain blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, LED headlamps, power-folding exterior mirrors with an auto-dimming feature, and additional USB-C charging ports as standard across the lineup. The V60’s radio tuner will no longer offer the AM band, but those channels will still be available. Elsewhere, the Momentum model receives a new 18-inch wheel design, the R-Design trim adds gloss black exterior accents, and the Cross Country receives new Linear Limewood interior trim as standard. The T8 Polestar model now bears the Recharge moniker as a way to symbolize its partial-EV status and denote its place next to the all-electric XC40 Recharge SUV that makes its debut this year.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Two engines are offered in the 2020 V60 lineup: Cars wearing the T5 badge are powered by a 250-hp turbocharged four-cylinder and come with front-wheel drive in all but the Cross Country model, which comes exclusively with all-wheel drive. When we tested the T5 powertrain, we found it to be a strong performer, with a 60-mph time of 6.4 seconds. As long as you’re not pushing it too hard, the V60 feels agile and responsive through corners. The ride is firm, particularly on models equipped with the optional Sport suspension and 19-inch wheels. The souped-up Recharge T8 Polestar comes with a 415-hp hybrid powertrain that pairs a turbo- and supercharged four-cylinder with electric motors and all-wheel drive. This arrangement is far quicker than the T5 model, leaping to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. The Recharge T8 Polestar also comes with a manually adjustable suspension—something driving enthusiasts will think is cool—so the owner can dial in the car’s riding behavior to his or her preference.