Most folks acquainted with automobiles can tell you a story about an old Volvo station wagon, and how it was relegated to some sort of strenuous duty, whether it was hauling around various items, serving as the first car for a learning driver, or being generally unstoppable during spontaneous road trips. In some cases, you’ll hear a tale including all three of these responsibilities. Volvo’s penchant for building reliable, practical, and safe wagons is legendary.
Today, station wagons are out of vogue, yet Volvo is one of few automakers that still builds them. And with the debut of the redesigned 2019 Volvo V60, the company shows it’s as serious as ever about this particular breed, and even more serious about redefining its image as an upscale automaker.
New architecture, fresh looks, and high-tech drivetrains
The new 2019 Volvo V60 is based on the same vehicle architecture that serves as the basis for other modern Volvos, scaled down to a smaller size. The new wagon’s styling themes are now familiar, too, though no less striking. Inside, the new V60 boasts increased space, solving a key problem with the previous model, and the cabin is upgraded with more upscale materials.
So far, two versions of the new V60 have been announced for the U.S. market. An entry-level V60 T5 model will send 250 horsepower to the front wheels from a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, while a V60 T6 all-wheel-drive model will deliver 310 horsepower to all four wheels while using a turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. Two trim levels have been announced for the T6 AWD – Momentum is standard fare, or customers can opt for the more luxurious Inscription trim. Both of these gas engines employ an 8-speed automatic transmission.
A second version of the T6 is also expected for the U.S. market, and it will introduce a new plug-in hybrid powertrain to Americans. It uses the T5, front-drive turbocharged engine in combination with a lithium ion battery that drives the rear wheels. Total system output for the plug-in T6 AWD drivetrain is 340 hp and 435 lb.-ft. of torque, with a fully electric driving range of about 28 miles.
Volvo takes care of its customers
You’ll be able to own a new V60 through Care by Volvo, the automaker’s vehicle subscription service. This approach seeks to eliminate the need for price negotiations, down payments, and regional price differences when purchasing the 2019 V60, and bundles the monthly car payment with insurance, maintenance, roadside assistance, and concierge services such as fueling, cleaning, and service pick-up. You’re allowed 15,000 miles of annual driving, and you can swap into a new Volvo after just 12 months.
New safety features are available for the 2019 V60, and include an updated version of Volvo’s City Safety suite of collision avoidance technologies. For the first time, City Safety includes a feature which enables automatic braking to mitigate an oncoming collision. Also available is the company’s Pilot Assist system, which provides the driver with steering, acceleration, and braking assistance for highway driving. Volvo says that for 2019, Pilot Assist offers better cornering capabilities, too. Other standard safety features include drowsy driver monitoring and oncoming lane alert systems.
Volvo also includes the latest version of its Sensus infotainment system in the new V60. It is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration technologies, and supplies 4G Wi-Fi connectivity. Drivers use a vertically oriented, tablet-style screen to control the various vehicle, infotainment, and connected service functions. New “digital key” technology is also available for the new V60, which allows owners of the car to share the wagon with friends and family.
Old traditions, new refinement
When announcing the launch of the new wagon, Volvo Cars CEO Håkan Samuelsson stated; “The family estate driver is an important customer for our business and has been for generations. The new V60 honors that tradition, but also takes it much further.” The CEO’s words reflect that Volvo is not shying away from its history by any means, especially when history has shown Volvo can make a fundamentally excellent station wagon – a fact backed up by the sheer numbers of well-aged, brick-shaped Volvos that still grace American streets today.
Unique looks, efficient power, passenger comfort, and most importantly, occupant safety, are shaped into a contemporary, refined package with the new 2019 Volvo V60. Though pricing, release date, and a handful of other details are yet to be confirmed, this wagon represents the shape of Volvos to come.
