Faults:

Coolant leaks.

High oil consumption. This is caused by a design defect in the piston rings or valves, which causes the engine to burn oil rapidly.

The power steering is electric and relies on current from the alternator. A failure in the alternator rotor will cause the steering wheel to become extremely stiff.

Automatic transmission (Geartronic) require a transmission fluid change every 60,000 km to prevent premature wear. Additionally, it is vital to always use high-quality fuel to avoid accelerating injector wear.

General Comments:

The V60 is the estate version of its sibling, the S60 sedan, and both are built on Ford’s mid-size EUCD platform.

Older Volvo estates are often referred to as "tanks", and this new model shares those same qualities, but in a good way. It is a large, robust, and comfortable car that is relaxing and easy to drive, with plenty of space for all your luggage.

It isn’t a sports car; it lacks that distinctive touch you might find in a BMW or an Audi. In fact, I wouldn’t really consider it a driver’s car.

But once you get past that (if it’s even an issue for you) you learn to appreciate the V60 for everything it offers. It’s the little details that make it great: the phenomenal headlights, the large and clearly marked gauges, the overall build quality, the quiet cabin, the excellent ride, and the button that folds down the rear headrests to improve the driver's visibility.

I have to admit that, at first, the V60's interior disappointed me a little. It was somewhat dark, overly understated and conservative, and looked dated. But the more time I spent behind the wheel of the V60, the more impressed I became.

The interior is incredibly well-built, and all the materials feel high-quality. The fit and finish are impeccable. The cabin is exceptionally quiet. It is a very pleasant place to be. Rear-seat space is good, though perhaps it could be a bit more generous; I found the trunk more than sufficient for all my needs, and superior to that of many SUVs and crossovers in terms of space.

When discussing the interior, one simply must talk about the seats; they are the pinnacle of human ingenuity. Not the internet, not space travel, but the V60's seats. They are plush, soft, and offer perfect support. As soon as you sit in them, all your troubles melt away.

Acceleration is good, but it never feels all that fast. Don't get me wrong; it certainly has good acceleration and is powerful enough to be fun when you pin the throttle coming out of a corner. However, it doesn't deliver that brutal, breathtaking acceleration. This is due to its weight and overall quietness, which dampen the sensation of speed.

Brakes feel powerful, and being a Volvo, I have no doubt they’ll get you out of a tight spot if you need to use them in an emergency. I just didn't like the pedal, feel was too soft, too spongy.

The V60’s ride quality complements its superb seats and the vehicle’s remarkable serenity. It is incredibly smooth and comfortable. Whether you are driving the V60 or simply riding as a passenger, you will enjoy a relaxing experience. At the same time, it provides a good sense of the road without feeling numb.

Body roll is the V60's main handling issue. It is excessive, too much for it to feel like a true sports wagon. Aside from that, the handling is quite decent. It grips well in corners and always feels solid and planted like a tank. You can also feel the power from the rear wheels during tight, aggressive cornering.

The electro-hydraulic steering is a bit over-assisted for my taste, but it is precise and direct. Honestly, the car handles well, especially given its size; it just suffers from too much body roll.

The 6-speed automatic transmission is merely adequate. In fully automatic mode, it performs perfectly, delivering smooth, seamless shifts in most situations. Paddle shifters are thoroughly disappointing. Manual shifts are never quick, whether upshifting or downshifting, and the transmission's sport mode barely alters its behaviour.

Volvo's eight-speaker audio system is excellent. It is one of the best factory stereo systems I have tested, despite not being from a renowned brand. It delivers powerful, crisp, immersive sound with superb bass. Both Spotify, played via Bluetooth, and satellite radio sounded wonderful.

All in all, I really liked this Volvo. I admit there were moments when I wished I were in a 328i Sport Wagon, because it is undoubtedly more fun. But this is a car for those looking for something a bit more exclusive. And in that regard, it exceeds expectations by a wide margin.

Faults:

Ok to begin with these early T4s are fitted with a Ford sourced 1.6L turbo unit as seen in Fiesta ST 180, however unlike the Focus ST180 these V60s are fitted out with Ford's MPS6 dual clutch transmission.

If I had done my research I probably wouldn't have bought this variant (or the T5 which is also mechanically a Ford), but aside from that it was purchased at auction so should have been ready for the $4,000 repair bill to get it right. Both variable camshaft hubs were replaced (needed only the exhaust one but opted for both), multiple oil leaks causing my independent Ford mechanic to replace multiple suspected items. It also had an RMS (rear main seal) leak which was rectified with a pour-in treatment.

A new timing belt, spark plugs, cam sensors and various seals were replaced.

New bonnet struts and boot struts were fitted.

General Comments:

Now that the gremlins are sorted I'm really enjoying the drive and comfort of the vehicle. The dual clutch transmission takes some getting used to, however it launches really well on harder take-offs and is smooth enough most of the time. The economy is great on the highway for a petrol 1.6 turbo at around 6.5-7.0L/100, however city driving has this figure skyrocketing up to 9.5L/100.

In comparison to a diesel it is a close call on the highway, but my 2012 XC60 D5 would return far better economy and would not change gear as often on inclines, and it was a far heavier car. Comparing the economy is futile I suppose given the engine torque disparity at 230Nm Vs about 400Nm for the XC60.

I enjoy the auto wipers and the direct steering. It seems to handle incredibly well on new Pirelli tyres. The brakes are incredibly strong and with great pedal feel. I don't know what brand of pad the car is wearing.

It often stalls when cold when I change from reverse to Drive.

It uses about a litre of oil every 2,000 kilometres.

Many of the Volvo specialist repairers may not be fully confident repairing complex issues involving the timing system on these variants. My local Volvo repairer on Melbourne's West side refused to take it on so I had to find a Ford mechanic across town.