Volvo V60 long-term test review

• The Car: Volvo V60 D4 Momentum Pro
• Run by: John Bradshaw, chief photographer
• Why it's here: To see if one of the best modern estates is a better choice than an SUV
• Needs to: Cope with all of my photography gear, provide smooth transport on long journeys, return reasonable fuel economy and be an effortless commuter car

Price £36,610 Price as tested £43,835 Miles covered 3739 Official Economy 52.3mpg (WLTP combined) Test economy 45.5mpg Options fitted Xenium Pack, which includes panoramic sunroof, 360 parking camera and Park Assist Pilot (£1800), Intellisafe Pro which includes Pilot Assist, adaptive cruise control, Blind Spot Warning, Cross Traffic Alert (£1625), Premium Harmon Kardon sound system (£825), 18in Diamond Cut alloy wheels (£775), metallic paint (£650), dark tinted windows (£600) Convenience Pack (£500), Smartphone Integration (£300) and spare wheel and jack (£150)

16 November 2018 – A brilliant motorway cruiser 

I signed off my last update saying that the V60 will have to be frugal, provide smooth transport on very long journeys and be an effortless commuter car if it were to worm its way into my affections. So, has it?

Well, despite having run the car for just over a month, I’m already confident enough to state that the V60 is, without doubt, the most refined car I’ve ever had the pleasure of running. With close family based in South Wales and What Car? photo shoots located all over the country, I’ve been racking up some serious motorway miles. And so far, I can honestly say I wouldn’t want to be doing it in anything else.

On the motorway, the V60's 2.0-litre diesel engine is almost imperceptible, and, because my car rides on smaller 18in wheels, there’s virtually no road noise. Those wheels also help with the ride, which is better than that of any SUV I’ve tested. At motorway speeds, the V60 glides along with a relaxing buoyancy and rides over most surfaces at town speeds in a composed fashion. Indeed, only particularly vicious ridges send thuds through the body.

In terms of handling, my colleagues have told me that the V60 isn’t as fun through the corners as the BMW 3 Series Touring. But, if I’m honest, I couldn’t care less. On the country roads I frequent, I’ve found the V60 to be perfectly acceptable; its steering is light and accurate, its tyres deliver a decent amount of grip and its body resists lean. That’s good enough for me.

In fact, I’ve only been disappointed with one aspect of the V60: its propensity to drink diesel. Now, don’t get me wrong, 45.5mpg isn't bad (that’s what I’ve been averaging over the last month), and it should give you over 500 miles of range. However, Volvo claims the V60 should be returning over 60mpg, so to be 15mpg shy of that figure is frustrating.

But one minor complaint in one month of ownership isn’t bad going, and, if I’m totally honest, I’m already dreading the day when the V60 goes back. It really is that good.

Read our full Volvo V60 review >

More on our long-term Volvo V60 >

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