Hybrid theory | PH Footnote
The V60 PHEV demonstrates how lovely a partially electric Volvo estate can be - so how about a full EV?
Even by Volvo’s standards of being the (slightly) less obvious premium car maker, the V60 feels unfairly overlooked. It too was one of the estates taken off sale a couple of years ago, but it was the V90 - with its flagship cachet and police association - that seemed talked about the most, both when it departed and when it returned (we’ll hold our hands up to a bit of that). The XC90 continues as the old stager of the range, and of course nails the plush family SUV brief that so many strive to in the mid-2020s. The rest of the range is cool, crisp and electric. The V60 just never really comes up in many discussions - even the Volvo ones.
Plus, well, there’s the 3 Series. Those that need a plug-in hybrid premium estate just get a BMW 330e without much consideration; because it’s the default option, and because it’s really good. Seeing one of those is an everyday occurrence - seeing a V60 certainly is not. Don’t go thinking the Volvo trails when it comes to the key stats, either, with up to 57 miles of EV range from its 14.7kWh battery, the best part of 400hp and a kerbweight close(ish) to two tonnes, if just 5kg less than the official V90 figures. CO2, officially at least, is low; mpg is very high. Boot space is more than 500 litres. While it can seem like the V60 has been around for a while (because it has), the important PHEV stats are still just about up to snuff. It won’t charge very fast, though - the latest Passat is probably the car for you if that’s the priority. (If indeed fast charging really matters for PHEVs - we’ll leave that up to you to hash out).
The Passat will never, ever look quite this smart, however. Arguably a 3 Series won’t either. Not since the Alfa Romeo 159 sported a Sportwagon has a compact estate ever been designed so crisply. The V60 is no longer a new car, having been launched at the end of the last decade, and doesn’t attempt to reinvent the estate silhouette, but it just all works so attractively. Proportions, details and surfacing are all spot on; there’s presence and stance without reverting to silly wheels or ride heights, and a sense of solidity without being slabby. Rivals like an A5 Avant seem overdone by comparison.
An inside space that properly incorporates a screen is a real highlight of the V60’s interior. So often these vital displays look like a tacked on afterthought, but not here. As important as maybe not being the fastest infotainment now around is the fact that it’s certainly not the most annoying. Immediately after the XC90, the V feels low, snug, and welcoming. Quality feels good, probably because materials can be prioritised over fitting acres of screen.
While PH probably doesn’t need reminding of the merits of an estate over an SUV, it was notable how the less powerful V60 (on driving more favourable to PHEVs) was averaging more than twice the XC90’s score. It was achieving 70mpg without even thinking about it, handover between power sources good enough, and the sense of satisfaction considerable - this is what family wagon motoring is all about. It’s refined, it’s capable, and it’s comfortable, from pop in the front to pup in the back.
Well, sort of. So pleasant is the EV experience in the V60 that the introduction of the petrol engine really jars; as discussed previously, it’s far from the smoothest four-cylinder in the world, so you end up doing everything possible to keep it in electric. With almost 400hp, the performance is certainly there when required - the 455hp T8 that used to be offered must rank as the ultimate sleeper - there just isn’t any more joy to the drive from going faster.
So while the V60 is actually a very assured ground coverer, handling less stodgily than you might think and obviously blessed with four-wheel drive traction, you’re always looking for opportunities to embrace the EV calm. Or avoid the combustion kerfuffle, more accurately. Which begs the obvious question - why isn’t there a Volvo EV estate already?
Rumours and teases have existed for a while; even in the current climate that’s wary around EVs, Volvo surely has the right brand aura to pull off a convincing electric wagon. It could be low and sleek to benefit aerodynamics, a battery buried in the floor would be great for onboard space, and the latest range of interiors - see the ES90 - would complement the package nicely. It all seems so logical, with Volvo’s family holdall heritage and current electric lineup. Another (presumably expensive) plug-in hybrid update would surely see the V cars forgotten about once more; a properly dramatic EV60 or EV90 - the names are there ready to go - would put Volvo estates right back in the public consciousness.
Or would they? Cars like the Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer and BMW i5 Touring don’t seem to be flying out of showrooms; the Audi A6 e-tron seems almost non-existent. Those that have sold, like so many new electric cars, are struggling to cling onto their value. Only 12 per cent of the Taycans for sale on PH are Cross and Sport Turismos. It’s a niche within a niche, the battery premium performance estate, more even than a 4x4 is. Which is why an EX90 exists before a V equivalent. And why we don’t work in product development.
The hope still lingers, however, not least because the ‘60 already gets the job done so well. A replacement that can get rid of an undesirable engine, potentially boost space and further enhance refinement sounds spot on. Just don’t go changing the design too much…
SPECIFICATION | 2025 VOLVO V60 T6 AWD PLUS
Engine: 1,969cc, four-cyl turbo, petrol plug-in hybrid, 14.7kWh (usable) battery
Transmission: 8-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Power (hp): 398
Torque (lb ft): 486
0-62mph: 5.4 secs
Top speed: 112mph (limited)
Weight: 2,070kg (‘running order mass’)
MPG: 282.1-352.6
CO2: 17-23g/km (max electric range 57 miles WLTP)
Price: £52,760 (price as standard; price as tested £54,905, comprising Foldable towbar for £1,400 and Forest Lake metallic paint for £745)
He tried so hard, and got so far, but in the end, it doesn't even matter.
(I also like the PHEV V60 and V90 as do-it-all family transport.)
I’ve still got a LHD V90 CC in France which occasionally has to schlep back here. It’s like driving an armchair albeit a bit soft on the mountain roads. But it’s not trying to be “sporty, hasn’t even got a sports mode.
Rides and handles quite well. IIRC the B4 was on 19" wheels - I suspect it would have ridden better on the 18" which you got with the B3. The 19s do seem a bit extreme for a family bus - they are probably just fitted for fashion reasons.
Annoying touchscreen for all heating functions, that is difficult to use on the move. Quite a lot of tech that sometimes intrudes e.g. pop-ups for "you are getting low on fuel, would you like me to find you a petrol station?"
A bit of an impression of made just-well-enough - perhaps not quite the feel of a tank that older Volvos provided.
How about it Volvo? I've got to have something to move to when the I-Pace starts giving me problems (hopefully many years yet!).
Looking forward to taking it back to France in September :-)
It's the same 2 litre petrol turbo in all Volvo's (in the UK at least) that aren't prefixed with EX, with various levels of tune - noisier as the BHP goes up.
In a car it is a bit raucous, in an SUV less so. I guess because of soundproofing. Are we saying that we can't cope with a bit of engine noise now? Oh deary me, this is PistonHeads. Please sir, make it an EV please, I can't cope with the noise.
Having had solar fitted and looking how much im exporting to the grid (in a very poor June for
weather) I'm starting to regret not getting the Cupra as a PHEV.
The Volvo itself, I really wanted one but they were expensive to buy new because of the new dealer model. For a car that launched in 2018 its pretty competitive.
Shame Volvo are sticking with max 4 cylinders.
Totally dependable, very solid feeling and space for 2 young kids, 2 spaniels and all the stuff they entail.
Quiet, safe, comfy.
It’s not exciting, but even if it was, it would almost be worse, it’s not that kind of car.
And Instagram keeps showing me videos of Volvos being engulfed in landslides, being rammed into shipping containers, crashed between two trucks, being dropped from cranes and still coming out remarkably intact, so that seals the deal - I’m not sure I could choose anything other than Volvo for the main family wagon now to be honest.
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