Volvo V60 prices & specs

The optional 19in alloy wheels do make for a slightly brittle, clumpy ride at times; and on 2023-model-year cars, there’s no route to avoid them. The two-tone rim design is at least smart.

Volvo prefers to put its electric charging sockets on the nearside front wing, so owners will tend to park nose in, but those with lots of cargo to carry might do that anyway. The charging cable will just about reach a wall socket even if you reverse into the bay.

The panoramic sunroof comes as part of Volvo’s £1750 Lounge pack. Black roof bars are standard fit and are rated to carry up to 75kg.

Volvo’s R-Design rear bumper adds moderately aggressive-looking exhaust styling – but at least there are real twin exhaust pipes lurking within the exaggerated outlets.

Seats look sportier than they feel, and are adjustable, supportive and comfortable over long stints. There’s enough room for taller drivers, too.

Back row is only averagely accommodating for a mid-sized executive car, and the wide, tall transmission tunnel is a bit of an obstacle for a middle-sitter.

Plenty of estates offer more boot space, but the V60’s main cargo bay isn’t affected by hybrid system packaging, and it has plenty of clever storage solutions.

Since you move the small gear selector forwards and back, its position doesn’t tell you which ratio is in use. Nudge it sideways for manual-style gear selection.

The drive battery is housed within the tunnel, so the armrest cubby has only enough space for a car key and smartphone. Wired smartphone mirroring costs extra.

'Metal mesh’ dashboard trim is visually appealing and combines well with black leather. You get a natural ‘driftwood’ trim instead if you pick blonde upholstery.