The Volvo V60 is now back with diesel power and priced at a level lower than intended rivals.
What's new?
This is the V60 estate fitted with Volvo's latest 190hp 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel and eight-speed automatic. One reason why diesel is being highlighted again is due to the new CO2-based tax regime that came into effect at the start of this year.
As the D4 undercuts the 150g/km level of CO2 emission, it faces 5% less of excise tax than the outgoing T5, which used a 220hp 2.0-litre petrol-turbo spewing out a higher 185g/km. The D4 is priced identically at 2.549 million baht.
The 180hp T4F version for the V60 is still available at a lower 2.299 million baht since it can run on E85 gasohol, a type of fuel that has a 5% tax advantage over normal petrol and diesel.
What's cool?
Conceptually speaking, estates like the V60 are suited as family cars for vacationing. This means that the diesel merits of overtaking power and low fuel consumption can easily be found in the D4.
Below right D4 costs the same as outgoing T5 at 2.549 million baht. RICHARD LEU
Thanks to the use of the brand's latest eight-speeder, the D4 can achieve 20kpl under cruising on the highway where there's no shortage of power at all times.
Although the V60 has passed its midlife stage already, Volvo has ensured that its mid-sized estate hasn't missed out on the latest in infotainment. That also includes the three-mode adaptive digital display that helps make the fascia feel modern.
The V60's reasonably stylish shape hasn't eroded the boot space, either. Apart from rear seats that fold down to increase cargo capacity, there's also more space for smaller items below the boot floor.
What's not?
Despite being armed with the latest in diesel and transmission tech, the D4's overall drivetrain doesn't always feel that responsive. The somehow soggy throttle response is similar to that in the Mercedes-Benz C300 diesel-electric hybrid and can't match the sharpness of that in the BMW 320d Touring.
One remedy could be to toss the gearlever in the V60 to Sport. But if you crave meatier steering, don't expect to find a simple drive-mode toggle switch as in the German estates. In the Volvo, you have to dig deep into the vehicle settings to adjust the rack's weight.
Speaking of that, the fascia -- despite still looking good, modern and well-built -- is showing its age in terms of function as some switches aren't placed ideally within the eye line of the driver. This is especially true if you have already been behind the wheel of the XC90, which comes with a peerlessly designed cockpit.
And when it comes to the chassis, the front-wheel-drive platform of the V60 can't match its German opponents in both handling and ride terms.
Buy or bye?
The V60 D4 comes very timely. Not only has BMW stopped imports of the 320d Touring due to its 3.5 million baht price tag, but Mercedes has also ceased sales of the C300 in favour of the C350e plug-in petrol-electric hybrid priced at 3.34 million baht.
This means that estate lovers with a penchant for doing lots of upcountry driving will like the V60 for its diesel engine, practical body and high levels of safety and driver-assist kit that still can't be found in Thai-spec Bimmers and Mercs.
Okay, the V60 won't drive as well as those two rivals, but it isn't that bad at all. More importantly, the V60 in D4 trim is priced and specced aggressively in the usual Volvo fashion. In short, it's good value as a premium mid-sized estate.
Twin-turbo diesel gives both touring range and drivability. RICHARD LEU
Below Interior still looks good but shows some age in terms of function. RICHARD LEU
Stylish rear end hasn't compromised on boot space. RICHARD LEU
