Volvo V60 vs rivals

Christmas has come early for estate car buyers! With a few weeks to go before the festive season gets into full swing, Volvo has ripped the wrapping paper off its new V60 load carrier.

Designed to tackle the cream of the compact estate car crop head on, the Swedish newcomer aims to mix eye-catching looks with family-friendly load-carrying practicality. Bosses also claim the V60 will be great to drive, thanks to suspension that has been fine-tuned for British roads. 

We test the car in top-of-the-range SE Lux Premium trim, with the firm’s punchy 161bhp 2.0-litre five-cylinder engine. On sale for £30,010, it faces formidable competition from a trio of versatile German machines.

Volvo’s engineers used the sporty BMW 3-Series Touring as a handling benchmark for the V60, yet the Mercedes C-Class estate sets the standard for space and practicality. Finally, the sleek Audi A4 Avant serves up a desirable blend of fashionable good looks, an upmarket cabin and a spacious boot. All three models have a rock-solid image that means they’re as comfortable on the school run as they are in the corporate car park.

It’s a big ask for the V60. 

So, will the newcomer wrap up an impressive victory?

Verdict

Strip away the style, premium badging and sporty driving dynamics, and our contenders are all trying to do the same thing. With large load bays and flexible cabins, they’re surefire family favourites – but we think the Volvo sacrifices too much versatility for its stylish good looks. 

Given the firm’s heritage, the V60’s mediocre carrying capacity is disappointing. Its eye-catching looks, long list of standard kit and relaxing comfort will be enough to attract some, but it finishes fourth in this test, just behind the Audi.

The stylish A4 Avant is well equipped and spacious, but is let down by its high price, below-par performance and uncompromising S line suspension set-up.

That leaves Mercedes and BMW to fight it out. Keen drivers will love the 320d’s dynamics and punchy performance, while low running costs make it a sound financial choice. But there’s no escaping its relatively small and poorly shaped boot. 

This is where the Merc excels. Not only is it easily the best estate car, it’s top in terms of pace and close to the BMW for driver fun. 
 
1. Merc C250 CDI Sport

The C-Class is the most practical choice. It’s also the priciest, but strong residuals should offset this, and the 168bhp C220 CDI costs even less.

2. BMW 320d M Sport

IF you’re after fun, the BMW should be top of your shopping list. It’s also cost effective, thanks to low CO2 emissions – it’s the best company car buy.

3. Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TDI

Sleek Audi rivals the Volvo for kerb appeal, and its beautifully built and spacious cabin is one 

of the best in the business. High price and jarring ride let it down.

4. Volvo V60 D3

Volvo's estate has eye-catching looks and bags of refinement and comfort. But there’s no ignoring its small boot, uninvolving driving dynamics and poor fuel returns.