Volvo V60 2019 in-depth review - Carbuyer

[@rich8305]

Now driving one of these, what an amazing car to use daily. Superb

[@napoleon950]

No that's Skoda 🙃🙃

[@oladokunsamuel5923]

Do you still own the car as of 2024, if so, how has it been?

[@majahe50]

Audi and BMW are boring and generic. Volvo is a beautiful car and so different. Choose Volvo over the aforementioned brands anytime.

[@anthonydownes8525]

I actually have both 2023Volvo and a 2022 BMW 3 series. Volvo is definitely a few levels below the BMW. Volvo is VW level at best and not prestige

[@MrAlexmartin86]

@@anthonydownes8525 good to know. What are the advantages of the BMW 320 against the Volvo V60? Which one is more comfortable and which is more reliable?

[@anthonydownes8525]

@MrAlexmartin86 From the two cars I have the advantages of the BMW 320i over the Volvo is Firstly, a far superior gear box which knows exactly what gear the car needs to be in espescially when slowing down and then needing to speed up at roundabouts or when turning left or right. Secondly, at the statement goes of being the ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE. The driving dynamics are way better. When ypu turn the steering wheel, the car turns without delay and there is hardly any roll when going round bends or roundabouts. Thirdly, with it being rear wheen drive, you feel less tired when driving espescially when say going up a hill. The feeling of being pushed up rather than pulled up feels much better plus less. Chance of wheel spins when wet Fourthly, in my opinion, the interior feels much more premium. To me the Volvo feels like a Ford in comparison

[@anthonydownes8525]

@MrAlexmartin86 Comfort wise Id say the BMW is a bit more comfortable as I feel is has better suspension and schocks but my volvo has spring auspension. I believe some models have air suspension which should be more comfortable but I think BWW also has that option. Reliability wise I will say my Volvo has been OK so far since covering 45000 miles . Bmw has been owned for 32 months. No issues but mileage is only 8000 miles. Not sure if higher mileage would cause issues

[@MrAlexmartin86]

@anthonydownes8525 thank you for your reply. So if you should choose only one of them you'd pick BMW...?

[@th-l8936]

Better than all the competition. Volvo all the way ♥️

[@K03sport]

so, if they don't use plastic in space around the door handle or the center tunnel, what material do you want them to use? Leather that will get knicked? Soft-touch coating that will get scratched/gummy over time? Faux-fur? Metal (Aluminum)? Plastic is just fine in places that see a lot of traffic as it stands up to abuse well and shows little distress, unlike soft-touch in the same place.

[@BMW2002M10]

Not sure why the interior of audi's recieve great such praise regarding materials. Driving the current A5 sportback Sline, and its very plesent and modern, but there are plenty of scratchy cheap feeling plastics (doors, central tunnel dash) if you go looking. However it is a completely irrelevant test, I dont frequently touch or scratch those areas, but most importantly it meaningless in terms of quality.

[@mrradman2986]

Traded my 3.0 V6 diesel A4 avant Quattro for a T6 Recharge AWD hybrid. Significantly improved ride and handling compared with the firm S line A4 with excellent turn in. Larger boot than the A4 with ski hatch as standard. Seats are better than anything short of my previous A8. Infotainment / satnav not as good as the superlative Audi but the standard sound system is excellent. The combined petrol/battery powertrain is extremely well integrated offering FWD, RWD and AWD options and gives me an average fuel consumption of almost 100 mpg for my routine motoring. It was a toss up between the T6 hybrid or the Mercedes C300e which only comes with RWD. Overall a very easy to live with premium estate, very happy with my decision.

[@smiIingman]

It's crazy to think this is sort of the "Little brother" to the V90 but it retains almost *ALL* of the spacious and comfort features of the v90 whilst being more sporty.

[@YourLoyalDeserter]

It does look fantastic.

[@Colin623]

Best looking estate on the market no question, unless you name is Mr Magoo, or an Audi fanboy, which amounts to the same thing lol.

[@manjbains1977]

It's nice to see something different as all you see on the UK roads now is Audi's & BMW 's also driven by wannabe racing drivers.

[@FisheeC3]

Why does everyone point out the isofix point covers? Toss em in the glove box, nothing to lose...

[@andreadevetak4325]

It has a three-pin socket so if you want charge things up on the go,you really can.

[@joelm3954]

It’s beautiful and became a true wagon again. Elegant comes to mind, but for some reason I prefer the previous model. The pre-2019 model is definitely smaller but seems sportier. Obviously the infotainment on this model is superior but overall I prefer the older version.

[@mthokozisiluthuli3645]

waiting for the S60

[@dmac7518]

Yaaay Batch is back. Welcome back James😁😁

[@wakandaforever5732]

CD player, remember those? I chuckled at that 👏🏻

[@rich8305]

Civilised and informed review, Volvo are overtaking most people.........well done

[@gbej1]

Excellent review by Batch as usual

[@jameslotus6105]

Getting my t6 hybrid inscription in januari, can’t wait!!

[@andreadevetak4325]

We have got an armrest with two cupholder with a big cubby and a little slot.

[@andreadevetak4325]

Inscription will top the range.

[@MrTrull1]

Matching trousers/luggage/car. I mean, *that's* professional, right there. 😉

[@koendeleersnijder]

Probably my next car in 6-7 years, when my current 2nd hand v70 will have reached 350k+ km's. They usually sell around 8000 euro's at that point, which is yhe ideal price/value point in my situation (w.r.t. the fact that I drive 30k+ km's per year). What do you guys think? Not necessarily a volvo fanboy, but I do prefer them over audi/bmw/mercedes due to a lower "boasting" attitude. Although that might be changing since more and more posers are buying Volvo's nowadays. Really like that the old V70 lives on in the new V60. Didn't understand why they deleted the V70 originally, when the V90 was much mpre expensive and the previous V60 was much much smaller.

[@koendeleersnijder]

Tom yes... time will tell I guess. I'm also afraid for your viewpoint. Also have a skoda superb as 2nd car. Also good value/money, but the volvo's trunk is much wider and the 5-cil engine is way better then the skoda 1.6

[@koendeleersnijder]

Tom An Octavia RS is a very nice car. Stealthy & usable. Enjoy!

[@veselskapravnicka5111]

@Tom When comparing reliability you should also compare fuel consumption. My V50 2.0D 100 KW engine is doing 6.0 L / 100 km. NONE of V70 engines is even close to that. Some of them are consuming even more than double of that while having the same power. My V50 has 327K km on the clock. Which means that it consumed 20K litres less fuel than some V70 with double the consumption would have. You could buy the whole NEW V50 just with the money you would have saved on fuel. And don't tell me that the repairs cost more than the whole new car, because they don't... Also most of the repairs on V50 are very cheap, because most of the mechanical parts are identical to those from Ford Focus and other very popular Ford models...

[@thecar9313]

Umm got an S60 year 2001 with 500k+km on it. And yeah no problem with it. Still running no problem. Also have to say I was not really nice to it (transporting heavy objects etc.)... But depending on how I drive it, consumption is from 5.9l to 6.2l (It was 6.4l once but drove it at like 200km/h for some time in Germany). Never changed anything on the engine. Only did the main services, as per oil service etc. Sooo yeah the S60 is a beast!

[@yoyo895]

Have you got one yet??! :)

[@andreadevetak4325]

Elegant style as a go. Wondering I kept the same. The V60 is the daddy of the estate class! I think its looks are as better and as sleeker as the larger V90! It's more premium than before and take to the road driven by none other than James Batchelor! It had more style than the A4 Avant and 3 series touring

[@aaronmills3105]

love volvo!!

[@RatimirRS]

Great review by CarBuyer's by far the best presenter!

[@SevernCityBoy]

Great review, James. You seem to have been away for a while? Glad to see you back. I liked your balanced approach to this car. It looks stunning, has a lot of good points and a few fairly massive bad ones. Not that i could even think of affording a car like that, I doubt I’d ever think of buying a Jag. Just don’t trust the quality.

[@TheDominator74]

You are not allowed to use your phone while driving but infotainmentsystem is ok to use??

[@mikeeyuk]

Why's he talking like Quentin Wilson?

[@VSS1]

mike johns I think he’s his son

[@andreadevetak4325]

There is a 12V socket.

[@PK-nn3sx]

I'd walk by Audi or Bmw over this in T6/T8 R-design form without a blink. No bias only sober sense, value for money!

[@andreadevetak4325]

The air vents!

[@helensmith2246]

Not being funny but this all feels very familiar to the V70 3rd generation I currently own. It's the same doors switchgear, luggage flap with shopping band (brillian btw), flatter load, space, driving experience. Its a new v70 not a v60, that car was small. There were nice volvos before the new bumpers and china factory. Many get in mine and say how nice it is and long journeys a breeze. You just get in and get out of a german rival.

[@zynan]

Lots of Waitrose shopping... even more Tesco points.

[@coastal399]

THE CONCH HAS SPOKEN!

[@andreadevetak4325]

This is the Momentum model.

[@DavidLee-ug3oq]

Subaru Levorg seems more attractive. AWD with boxer engine, great chassis and excellent drivability.

[@nicolajslvsten4978]

the background song is: High Rise - Martin Felix Kaczmarski

[@andreadevetak4325]

There is gonna be a sporty R-DESIGN model and a rough and tough Cross Country version.

[@rivorianest]

Very nice review! Loved it. However I am not sure wether choice of materials (plastics) equals build quality. It’s just the choice of material after all. Build quality is more like.... how it’s put together.

[@tyusrobinson9869]

Rivo Aedma agreed!!

[@andreadevetak4325]

ISOFIX points are reachable.

[@Hilariumosis]

Premium also comes in levels. This car is premium but not the highest end. Base premium for me is the package with an overall classy feel and not tops notch through and through. Switch those hard plastics for a complete wood trim and the price goes up. It doesn't mean it's premium just more premium. Like you said you don't expect that compromise in a premium car so you already consider it a premium estate. Just again not at the highest premium you can get on a Volvo these days. If you want premium to a more reasonble price, sacrifices has to be made no?

[@CarsofGlasgow]

Nice video batch, I have one of these on order in Denim blue, due Jan 2020 :D

[@sjh60633]

It's gorgeous

[@lash9400]

Great review James glad your back

[@DaroffApFire]

What's the fascination with small diesel engines over in the UK?

[@BJackson.]

The perfect car to “Gergen press” other drivers on the Auto bahn🔥🔥🔥

[@ruzzelladrian907]

I'm waiting for the V40.

[@nuggethead008]

Love this car...I just hate the freaking Ipads all these manufacturers are putting in them. Give me knobs, buttons and get rid of the cup holders. Cars were meant to be driven not played with like a gameboy.

[@podge5555]

Far better than buying a boring SUV

[@Mustafafilming]

Why would you make center console out of cheap plastic in a new car in 2018? It just doesn't make sense. Especially when the car itself is not cheap at all.

[@KingslayerStudio]

Correct me if I'm wrong but Renault Megane Grandtour has 580litre booth, is it a different class?

[@andreadevetak4325]

It has a CD player! Wow!

[@Tackleberry666]

volvo...its such a nice place to be

[@scoopermg8226]

Why say 539litres as if it is as big as a skip? It's modest at best.

[@taylorgawn289]

They always get the estates not the saloons

[@jochem1986]

Taylor Gawn yeah, lucky us. Saloons are pretty useless.

[@taylorgawn289]

James Batchelor happy days cant wait.👍cheers for the reply.

[@satnitcboy]

Saloon not released yet, but coming soon. It's a pretty car, but I love the lines of the V car.

[@taylorgawn289]

Tom Crisp thanks james replied to me.

[@marcusalm7350]

I still want them to build some less "luxury" cars and more "every-man" cars.

[@Guvb235]

539-litres? Meh. It's a Volvo - it should be bigger!

[@Jeff-or6em]

Get the Volvo V90 if you want bigger

[@TX2673XA]

Is this model relaible?

[@FisheeC3]

A non-standard rear-view camera? Completely unacceptable...

[@andreadevetak4325]

We have got a dog guard so Fido can remain safe.

[@TripleDnov1979]

When's the Polestar version being released?

[@andreadevetak4325]

There is a luggage divider.

[@Adam-ql1vz]

I’d buy one if the prices weren’t so crazy.

[@970357ers]

You never see tall/large motoring journalists since JC. Strange that.

[@pradeepmagan6951]

nice to have you back, but like all the other car reviewers you won't test the traction control - why not. Also Volvo suppose to be so safe, how do you put the aircon on if you are driving

[@Colin623]

Use the voice control !! " Set heating to 23c " easy.

[@tastyf1974]

I have xc60 2019 and everything can be done by voice control just say I'm cold and it increases the temp or turn on heated seat in fact you can set it that the car turns on the seat automatically if the temp is below a certain level or use the app on your phone to pre heat or cool the car before you even get in! Simple but lost on most people as they still think you need to twist a knob

[@andreadevetak4325]

There is a Pro version of each trim level!

[@Sanpedranoazul]

Why front wheel drive cars like this have a transmission tunnel without needing it? Is it for sructural rigidity?

[@Scythes]

They are made to accommodate AWD and for hybrids the tunnel is used for the battery pack.

[@mattdavies3023]

I thought rear parking cameras were required by law on a ll new cars now - so how how can it be an option on the Volvo ?

[@MICHGO1]

IN THE US MAYBE NOT IN ENGLAND.

[@davidsweeney111]

I do like volvoids!

[@bugattisteve]

Back doors look a bit narrow.....anyone one have one to share how easy it is in regards to baby seats?

[@gix3631]

V60 t6 r-design all the way

[@pauljones1838]

£11.20 an hour 😮 just not worth the hassle. We are getting another pay rise on the buses soon which will make us just short if £16 an hour. With good holiday pay and pension. You should give it ago, it's great

[@OscarLeeMX]

I don't believe a 6-footer seats so far forward. These videos vastly exaggerate the amount of rear legroom. I'm only 5 foot 6 inches tall and even in my S80, the seat-backs go about 5cm behind the B-pillar. I've tried the V90 and it doesn't have great rear legroom, so I wouldn't think that the smaller V60 would do any better.

[@i.c.d.-videos1901]

Errr, the old model had a boot volume of 557 litres so how is the latest model more of a load lugger with a smaller volume?

[@pis8160]

The old V60 has an almost non-existing boot, at 430 litres. (If I´m not mistaking) The old V70 carries 575 litres

[@i.c.d.-videos1901]

I thought the 430 litre boot volume was only on the hybrid version which suffered because of the battery pack below. The mark 1 I drove a couple of years ago definitely had a large boot but not quite estate golf & octavia size.

[@VenoStuff]

Volvo 🤤🤤

[@petethompson1282]

drives off without Fido

[@cmartin_ok]

It really needs a 5 cylinder engine to be a "proper" Volvo otherwise it's just another 4 cylinder Estate. Great shame IMHO that Volvo have dropped 5 cylinder engines

[@isaks3243]

only just over 500?` i have almost 1000 in my car. but it is a volvo 940 estate and i have no safety nore styling that takes up alot of space

[@totkamacedonia1337]

How about 610 litres in the Octavia?! Biggest boot in its class...yeah...

[@totkamacedonia1337]

James Batchelor maybe the Superb is? It’s got an even larger trunk. Or you are trying to say the Volvo is in the Fabia class?! 😂😂😂

[@zynan]

6:02 The Waitrose water bottle test.

[@pullformore]

For a man obsessed with storage space in vehicles, your pockets are surprisingly bulging... I wonder what is in them? :-)

[@cookiesandcream7513]

pullformore - ask his girlfriend! Maybe not because I don’t think that would bulge

[@knowntobehonest]

Boot space biggest in its class? Passat, Superb and even an Octavia is bigger. And at the end. "The competition maybe more fun to drive". Meaning the other cars are a better place to be in?

[@stubones]

kroezem1 no, it means the competition are more fun to drive. He didn’t say anything about the interior ergonomics, build or quality. Kind of like the new M2 Competition Pack is easily more fun to drive than a RS3, but the RS3 interior looks a lot better. I say this as a BMW owner so fanboying.

[@shroomyesc]

Aren't Passat and Superb competitors for the V90, not the V60?

[@petejr7583]

Those are not Premium/Luxury Compact Estates like this Volvo, 3 Series and C-Class. They are Midsize non-Premium, so slightly larger but more run-of-the-mill family or sales cars. Sure, you can dress them up to come close to the Premiums, but not quite there with the excessive plastics, lesser build and materials quality (read alu suspension, etc), and lower performance engine options. One more thing, Volvo’s are tops in safety tech and structural strength with great crash test results. See any modern Volvo ace the IIHS Small Frontal Overlap test (very common collision with typically serious injuries). Your family will walk away from just about any crash.

[@rocketdreamer]

Hi James, welcome back after a too long while: here on the web some where missing your style in reviewing cars. A couple of questions: how is it with thigh support on the backbench (would be welcome remarking in every review)? no D5 option in sight? Thanks and kind regards.

[@zaidtareen3982]

Good review

[@stubones]

Even the current 3 series, which is due to be replaced next year, is a far better drive than this Volvo. It also has more than enough tech to support a safe and pleasurable driving experience even if the interior looks dated. Volvo is all about impressing tech heads, not drivers. That aside Volvo do make great family cars. Definitely worth a consideration.

[@tyusrobinson9869]

stubones they weren't trying to be overly sporty 🙄

[@hugos2475]

And hey, does cars improve in driving engagement over the years? No! The current 3 is better than the V60 in driving, but then, the Volvo is more comfy, more high tech, safer, roomier etc etc

[@SlightlyMisunderstood]

Beautiful car. I was seriously considering it for while but in the end went with the Audi A4 avant. Both very beautiful cars. Nice review by the way.

[@rrowicki9442]

I also thinking between these two - What make you decided for a4?

[@jammasterflash9448]

Can’t take him seriously when he calls it a V6 and not a V60. Ruins it for me!

[@annakavan1869]

John Lewis and Waitrose shopping huh you are so …. i got millions and shop in Aldi.

[@bestcarreview5021]

Awesome 😃 👍 👍

[@srbiggerthan]

Lol. Audi a4 has cheap plastics in center console and los dashboard too... Why always German...:(

[@Chets]

Really you compare that with a 3 series?

[@SuperSimmy01]

Chet I was wondering why he did that too 🙄

[@lemster101]

What would you compare it to?

[@DetailingCars]

i dont get the point of reviewing a base model with no extra equipment

[@gerryrowe6389]

Good revue as per,but I’ll be starting an online petition to get them boat shoes expelled,their best days are way behind them Batch!

[@johnloi4939]

Mat Watson says hi

[@MICHGO1]

HOW DO YOU UNDERSTAND HIS MUMBLING?

[@eatdriveplay]

The letdown of low-mid range Volvos is always the wearing out of plastic interior in hot weather. They melt into a dreary sticky thing after just 2-3 years.

[@Itubewetube1]

Exterior looks nice. But you're better off buying the high end peugeot 308, skoda octavia or vw golf tourers. Over 610 liter of boot instead of a cramp 535 liters. And the backseat legroom equally as the volvo. And volvo is not flawless and just as audi not the most reliable.

[@simoping]

Erm... is this guy copying Quentin Wilson?????

[@paulanderson79]

I thought the same. It's not a very good copy though.

[@DoctorChange106]

nice review of a great car. However BAN the diesels for health as they spew particulates which are bad news.

[@andreadevetak4325]

The boot is 539 litres.

[@khz9000]

Car guys don’t sit bonnets