Station wagons, traditionally known for their practical space, have often been perceived as bulky and rigid in design. However, as times have evolved, automakers have introduced sleeker, sportier wagon models. Among these, the globally acclaimed Volvo V60 has completely redefined the traditional station wagon aesthetic. The Swedish automotive icon, Volvo, not only pioneers innovations in driving safety technology but also prioritizes driver and passenger comfort. The Volvo V60, a purebred sporty wagon born from the dynamic styling of the Volvo S60, combines a sleek, athletic design with exceptional performance and versatile interior space—shattering the conventional image of station wagons. In recent years, Volvo’s vehicle lineup has...
In recent years, Volvo’s vehicles have shed their once-rigid, boxy profiles in favor of more rounded, fluid body lines, showcasing a bold new generation of dynamic style. This transformation is evident in what’s hailed as Volvo’s most athletic model to date—the all-new Volvo S60. While enthusiasts are still enamored with the dynamic new S60, Volvo has struck while the iron is hot with the launch of its wagon counterpart—the all-new Volvo V60. Not only does it offer spacious, flexible utility, but it also boasts a coupe-like silhouette, superior handling, and dynamic performance. This sporty wagon, equally adept at spirited driving or relaxed cruising, stands out in the competitive wagon market with a youthful, high-energy edge that breaks the mold.
Design: Versatility Meets Dynamism
Gone is the boxy rear end of traditional wagons—replaced on the new V60 by sleek, flowing lines and a subtly integrated roof spoiler that give the vehicle a taut, muscular coupe-like rear. The LED taillights, designed to align vertically with the body’s contours, create a distinctive and highly recognizable visual signature. For those wanting an even sportier look, Volvo offers optional R-Design aerodynamic kits. These include front and rear bumper under spoilers, side sills, and 18-inch alloy wheels—all designed to help drivers personalize their sporty wagon.
A double-wave sheet metal crease runs from the headlights to the taillights. Its indented midsection lowers the car’s visual center of gravity, lending it a sleek, coupe-inspired profile. The deliberately raised shoulder line along the sides, coupled with the B-pillar’s slightly downward-sloping roofline, enhances the illusion of the body tapering toward the rear.
The new V60 inherits the S60’s design DNA, featuring its signature wedge-shaped profile, a low-slung front end, and Volvo’s hallmark chrome hexagonal grille. The addition of DNA Lamp daytime running lights at the front completes the transplant of the new S60’s dynamic face—giving the V60 a distinctly youthful, sporty front-end presence.
Step inside, and you’re greeted by a clean, functional yet premium Scandinavian interior. The slim center console features an asymmetrically arranged climate control system and a driver-oriented layout, slightly angled to the left. This setup ensures easy access to the 7-inch full-color touchscreen and intuitive climate controls. The console, finished with genuine wood trim and matte metal accents, pairs beautifully with sporty leather seats to create an upscale, athletic ambiance.
The straightforward dual-circle instrument cluster features LCD screens at the center of each dial, displaying fuel economy, trip data, and cruise control info. A three-spoke steering wheel equipped with multifunction controls allows drivers to easily activate cruise control and access vehicle data at their fingertips. The center console’s 7-inch touchscreen integrates satellite navigation, multimedia, and parking assist camera functions into the VSI info interface—presented through clear, user-friendly graphics for effortless operation.
Spacious & Comfortable
When it comes to practicality, the new V60 excels with a 2,776mm wheelbase that provides generous knee room for rear passengers, greatly enhancing comfort. The seat cushions strike a perfect balance between firmness and softness, while their ergonomic design helps reduce fatigue on long journeys.
With a 2,776mm wheelbase, the rear seats enjoy ample knee space. The roofline, which slopes gently from the B-pillar to the D-pillar, doesn’t compromise headroom. Overall, the cabin feels surprisingly spacious. True to Volvo’s focus on comfort, the seats are designed with ergonomic support and reinforced side bolsters, using cushioning that balances firmness and softness to minimize long-drive discomfort. The front seats feature 8-way power adjustment and three memory presets, allowing drivers to quickly find their ideal position. The “R-Design” emblem is even embossed on the backrest center.
Utility is key in a wagon, and the new V60 delivers with a clever two-tier cargo floor for secure and organized storage. With seats upright, it offers 430 liters of capacity. The 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats can be configured to free up space: dropping just the center seatback creates 1,749mm of length for long items while maintaining seating for four. Folding all seats flat opens up a massive 1,241 liters of uninterrupted space—ideal for road trips. The wide 1,095mm cargo opening and low 658mm loading height make loading and unloading effortless.
The 2012 V60 T5 is powered by a 2.0L GTDi turbocharged direct-injection gasoline engine—a perfect match that elevates both performance and handling, making the S60 T5 even more refined. Generating 240 horsepower and 32.6 kgm of torque from 1,800–5,000 rpm, the V60 T5 pairs this agility with the smooth finesse of a 6-speed Powershift dual-clutch automatic transmission. Acceleration is poised and controlled, balancing performance with comfort. Rather than a sudden burst of speed, it delivers linear, sustained thrust—less about neck-snapping thrills, more about dependable, endless momentum.
Safety: The Brand’s Core
Thanks to its solid Dynamic sport chassis, the V60 delivers the stability and comfort European cars are known for—even in SPORT mode, where road feel remains composed. Meticulously fine-tuned by Volvo’s engineering team, the chassis offers razor-sharp steering precision, especially noticeable during cornering where the car and steering wheel move in perfect harmony. The steering wheel also offers three adjustable settings for different driving preferences, ensuring every driver can find their ideal feel. To further enhance safety, Volvo Cars Taiwan has made the PAC parking assist camera and front parking radar standard across the range. When combined with ASC improved anti-roll detection, CTC cornering traction control, and DSTC dynamic stability control in Sport mode, these systems intervene with greater intelligence and precision—reducing the risk of skidding or rollover. The DSTC system also provides crucial stability when tackling tight corners under high lateral forces.
Safety has always been at the heart of Volvo’s brand identity, and the new V60 is equipped with cutting-edge global safety technologies. In addition to ABS, EBA electronic brake assist, EBD electronic brake distribution, and DSTC dynamic traction control, the new V60 introduces Volvo’s pioneering CWFAB Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Detection system. This moves active safety beyond vehicle collision prevention to actively avoid accidents involving pedestrians.
This system uses radar embedded in the grille and a camera integrated into the windshield and rearview mirror to monitor distance and relative speed to objects ahead. The camera distinguishes between vehicles and pedestrians. If a potential collision is detected and the driver doesn’t react, the system automatically applies the brakes to mitigate or prevent impact.
Many buyers struggle to balance practicality with driving excitement—but the all-new Volvo V60 bridges that gap. With its coupe-inspired styling, adaptable space, and agile handling, this unconventional wagon is sure to win over discerning drivers.