First Drive: 2015 Volvo V60 Sportswagon T5 FWD
Story and photos by John LeBlanc
LAS VEGAS, Nevada – If the idea of a Volvo showroom without a wagon disturbs you, fear no more. With the 2015 Volvo V60 Sportswagon already in Canadian dealerships, according to the Swedish automaker, “The wagon is back!”
In truth, the Volvo V60 Sportswagon — a wagon variant of the brand’s S60 four-door sedan — has been on-sale in other markets for four years. But after Volvo recently canned its compact V50 and midsize V70 wagons from North America, the new V60 Sportswagon represents the return of the practical body style the automaker has offered since the Second World War.
In the transition from being owned by Ford to its current Chinese parents at Geely Automotive, Volvo has been working on an all-new family of engines dubbed Drive-E and an equally-new Scalable Product Architecture vehicle platform. We’ll have to wait until this fall to see the first result of the new SPA-based Volvos in the form of the next XC90 crossover (as previewed by the Volvo Concept XC Coupe at this year's Detroit auto show, but the 2015 versions of the V60 Sportswagon, S60 and XC60 crossover, full-size XC70 wagon/crossover and S80 sedan will the first Volvos to offer the new Drive-E powertrains.
For more info on the new Volvo Drive-E powertrains, click here
Just to be clear: the 2015 V60 Sportswagon (and S60 and XC60) is still a Ford-based product, residing on a platform that has also spawned various former Ford vehicles such as the Land Rover LR2. For 2014, all three midsize Volvo models received a thorough refresh that included all-new exterior styling from the A-pillars forward and upgraded interior components.
For 2015, the four-model V60 Sportswagon range starts with the $39,800 (all prices are starting MSRPs) front-wheel-drive V60 T5 FWD, powered by the new Drive-E T5 mill (not to be confused with Volvo’s current turbocharged T5 five-cylinder) that is turbocharged and makes 240 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque and mated to an also-new eight-speed automatic transmission. The three remaining V60 Sportswagon models all use existing engines, six-speed automatic transmissions and Haldex all-wheel-drive systems, as in the $41,800 V60 T5 AWD (with its 250-hp version of the existing turbocharged five-cylinder engine), the $46,050 V60 T6 AWD (sporting a 300-hp turbo six-cylinder) and the 325-hp $50,950 V60 R-Design AWD. A fifth V60 model — the limited edition, high-performance Polestar — will be released later this year.
In a market still mad for crossovers, the five-passenger Volvo wagon’s rivals are few, but they are exemplary; namely the all-wheel-drive $46,500 Audi A4 Allroad 2.0 TFSI, all-wheel-drive $47,850 BMW 328i xDrive Touring (and $49,350 328d diesel) and rear- and all-wheel-drive $48,065 Cadillac CTS Wagon.
Our drive in and around the Las Vegas area was limited to the V60 Sportswagon T5 FWD model. From the B-pillars back, the V60 Sportswagon and the S60 sedan are nearly identical. The stylish cabins in both Volvos offer a respite from the more formal German brand interiors. Like its sedan sibling, the V60 Sportswagon’s three-spoke steering wheel is thick and great to hold. The front seats are supportive and — as expected — comfortable. The floating centre console and the two round main gauges are now Volvo standards and the digital screen that houses the driver instrumentation in front of the driver offers three selectable modes — Eco, Elegant and Performance — with stunningly crisp graphics.
One look at the V60 Sportswagon’s rear styling and it’s obvious Volvo designers took a different approach from the box-they-were-shipped-in Volvo wagons from the past. Helpful with longer objects is the V60 wagon’s standard 40/20/40 split rear and a front passenger seat that folds flat. And with 1,240 litres of rear cargo space, the V60 Sportswagon offers almost four times the room over its S60 sedan sibling. All the abovementioned wagon rivals, though, offer more behind seat cargo room.
Despite its swishy looks, the new V60 Sportswagon is still a Volvo. Which means it comes with some of the latest in safety kit as well. New this year, updated software allows for more rapid vision processing and radar technology, which extends the Blind Spot Information System to now include a Lane Change Merge Aid and Cross Traffic Alert. Volvo’s City Safety can also now operate up to 50 km/h and Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake technology can now recognise cyclists.
Fuel economy is paramount with many new car buyers, and the Volvo V60 Sportswagon T5 FWD excels in that regard. Volvo is estimating a combined city and highway rating of 6.3 L/100 km. That’s more efficient than the gas-engine/all-wheel-drive wagons from Audi, BMW and Cadillac. It helps that engine stop/start technology is standard on all Drive-E powertrains, and the new eight-speed transmission features a coasting mode that essentially shifts into neutral when you take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Despite the emphasis on saving fuel, the V60 Sportswagon T5 FWD’s powertrain is impressively refined in its use. This is one of the smoother four-cylinders I’ve driven in some time, and is quite happy to rev when called upon. There are steering wheel-mounted paddle gear shifters, but the V60 Sportswagon’s gearbox responds quickly enough on its own. Volvo claims the V60 Sportswagon T5 can scoot from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds, which is competitive. And at higher highway speeds the Volvo’s four is also remarkably quiet, making the vehicle well suited for longer drives.
With the term “sports” wedged into its name, the V60 wagon’s driving characteristics are much more compelling for drivers than the softer and larger V70 of old. Similar to its S60 sedan mate, the V60’s road manners are impressively balanced. The new Volvo wagon’s ride is also very controlled, but never harsh. Even on some rough, back road Nevada pavement we traveled, the suspension won’t cause your teeth to rattle. Granted, the Volvo’s steering isn’t as communicative as some enthusiast drivers may like, but the V60 Sportswagon T5 arcs through corners cleanly and in a linear fashion. Driving enthusiasts will have to keep in mind, the impending V60 Polestar is expected to be a much more driver-oriented offering.
Volvo knows the new 2015 V60 Sportswagon won’t shut down sales of its popular XC60 crossover. It’s more of a corporate statement that the automaker understands its customers (and former customers like yours truly, with a 1972 145, 1990 745 and 2005 V50 as Volvo wagons that I once owned) . Fans of sporty wagons — however few of us there are out there — should rejoice, though.
The V60 Sportswagon T5 FWD is a wonderfully competent and comfortable package that offers sports sedan driving characteristics with a bit more practicality; a stylish, Swedish alternative to the more sombre German and American sports wagon competition.
Despite its swishy looks, the new V60 Sportswagon is still a Volvo. Which means it comes with some of the latest in safety kit as well. New this year, updated software allows for more rapid vision processing and radar technology, which extends the Blind Spot Information System to now include a Lane Change Merge Aid and Cross Traffic Alert. Volvo’s City Safety can also now operate up to 50 km/h and Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake technology can now recognise cyclists.
Fuel economy is paramount with many new car buyers, and the Volvo V60 Sportswagon T5 FWD excels in that regard. Volvo is estimating a combined city and highway rating of 6.3 L/100 km. That’s more efficient than the gas-engine/all-wheel-drive wagons from Audi, BMW and Cadillac. It helps that engine stop/start technology is standard on all Drive-E powertrains, and the new eight-speed transmission features a coasting mode that essentially shifts into neutral when you take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Despite the emphasis on saving fuel, the V60 Sportswagon T5 FWD’s powertrain is impressively refined in its use. This is one of the smoother four-cylinders I’ve driven in some time, and is quite happy to rev when called upon. There are steering wheel-mounted paddle gear shifters, but the V60 Sportswagon’s gearbox responds quickly enough on its own. Volvo claims the V60 Sportswagon T5 can scoot from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds, which is competitive. And at higher highway speeds the Volvo’s four is also remarkably quiet, making the vehicle well suited for longer drives.
With the term “sports” wedged into its name, the V60 wagon’s driving characteristics are much more compelling for drivers than the softer and larger V70 of old. Similar to its S60 sedan mate, the V60’s road manners are impressively balanced. The new Volvo wagon’s ride is also very controlled, but never harsh. Even on some rough, back road Nevada pavement we traveled, the suspension won’t cause your teeth to rattle. Granted, the Volvo’s steering isn’t as communicative as some enthusiast drivers may like, but the V60 Sportswagon T5 arcs through corners cleanly and in a linear fashion. Driving enthusiasts will have to keep in mind, the impending V60 Polestar is expected to be a much more driver-oriented offering.
Volvo knows the new 2015 V60 Sportswagon won’t shut down sales of its popular XC60 crossover. It’s more of a corporate statement that the automaker understands its customers (and former customers like yours truly, with a 1972 145, 1990 745 and 2005 V50 as Volvo wagons that I once owned) . Fans of sporty wagons — however few of us there are out there — should rejoice, though.
The V60 Sportswagon T5 FWD is a wonderfully competent and comfortable package that offers sports sedan driving characteristics with a bit more practicality; a stylish, Swedish alternative to the more sombre German and American sports wagon competition.
2015 Volvo V60 Sportwagon T5 FWD
WHAT I LIKED: Volvo gets back into the wagon business; comfortable and stylish cabin; excellent performance and fuel economy from new Drive-E powertrain.
WHAT I DIDN'T: Other wagons offer more rear cargo room; new Drive-E powertrains only available with FWD; driving enthusiasts will want to wait for the Polestar model.
Base price: $39,800
Type of vehicle: FWD compact luxury wagon
Engine: 2.0L, 16-valve, turbocharged DOHC I-4
Power / Torque: 240 hp / 258 lb.-ft.
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel consumption (estimated combined city/highway): 6.3 L/100 km
Competition: Audi A4 Allroad, BMW 3 Series Touring, Cadillac CTS Wagon
02.06.14 | 2015, Car Buying Advice, first drives, Volvo | Comments Off on First Drive: 2015 Volvo V60 Sportswagon T5 FWD