Volvo V60 review

You know the drill with modern Volvos. They feel like a Scandinavian Airline's first-class lounge. It's all about the matte-finish materials, the reserved but considered shapes, the choice of light airy colours. The V60 introduces an optional pale-grey tweedy fabric that's drastically opinion-dividing.

Then there's the nine-inch centre touchscreen. It looks beautiful, and has lovely graphics. It's super-versatile, and actually the menu logic is pretty intuitive. But the menus themselves are over-hierarchical. For instance, from the home screen it takes a minimum of five finger-jabs just to adjust the stereo's treble.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available, and the V60 now gets an updated, Google-based infotainment system that makes navigation a doddle without needing to connect your phone if you don't want to. A refreshing change, that.

But in spite of the size of the screen, it won't simultaneously display the car's map and the name of the tune you're playing at the same time, so forget about skipping ahead a few tracks when you've got a tricky exit coming up. Perhaps worst of all, the climate control is also integrated into the screen, so even simple stuff like adjusting air distribution or temperature has you prodding away at the screen without maximum focus on the road. Hmm.

All V60s get connected traffic-aware navigation as standard. Also included on all trims is a TFT driver display, which has the simulated dials, plus a compact 3D map to keep you on track. The optional head-up display is superbly clear and usefully comprehensive.

The front seats are as great as in other Volvos, and have power adjustment on most versions, with an option of powered side bolsters too. In the back there's lots of legroom, and vents in the B-posts and centre console.

The boot is pretty huge (648 litres in the mild hybrids), and as versatile as you'd hope for what is a proper estate rather than just a dandy-looking sports-hatch. Lots of hooks and lashing points lie around the edge, and more storage hides under the floor. An optional pack adds a flip-up divider, stretchy net, powered folding releases for the seatbacks and headrests, and a mains-voltage socket. But there's nowhere to store the boot-cover blind when you're not using it. Duh.

The stereo menu runs from good (standard unbranded) through great (Harman Kardon).