The 2025 VOLVO V60 is the sensible Swede that still knows how to have a good time. In Australia it arrives in V60 Cross Country B5 mild-hybrid form, a raised wagon with all-wheel drive, proper long-distance comfort, and a cabin that feels like a Scandi living room with Google smarts baked in. It is rare, a little niche, and all the more charming for it. If you want SUV usefulness without an SUV, this is your loophole.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Plush ride and quiet cabin on coarse-chip roads
- Thoughtful interior storage, huge boot, easy child-seat access
- Google built-in works cleanly with voice control and maps
Cons
- Only the B5 mild-hybrid is offered locally, no PHEV here
- Pricing now overlaps premium wagons and well-spec’d SUVs
- Run-out status means limited colour/spec choice at dealers
How Much Does It Cost?
In Australia the 2025 Volvo V60 price starts at $74,990 before on-road costs for the Ultra B5 Cross Country MHEV. Expect drive-away to tip into the low-$80,000 bracket depending on state charges. Note that Volvo Australia has confirmed the V60 Cross Country is ending locally once remaining stock is sold, so availability varies by dealer.
Features and Benefits
The 2025 Volvo V60 features a 2.0-litre turbo four with a 48-volt system (B5), good for 183 kW and 350 Nm, driving all four wheels through an eight-speed auto. It feels relaxed rather than racy, with a clean, linear shove that suits long runs and wet-weather confidence. Ground clearance sits at a handy 197 mm, so gravel driveways and campsite tracks are no stress. Official combined fuel use is 7.3 L/100 km on premium.
Inside, the 2025 Volvo V60 interior nails the brand’s calm vibe: supportive seats, clear sight-lines and an airy glasshouse. The star is Google built-in. You get Google Maps, Google Assistant and Play Store apps natively in the car, which means natural voice navigation, reliable traffic routing and less phone faffing. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported too. The optional Harman Kardon or Bowers & Wilkins audio brings the lounge to life.
Practicality remains a Volvo calling card. The boot is enormous for the class: 648 L seats up, 1,431 L seats folded. The load bay is square, the floor is flat, and there are tie-downs plus a bag hook that saves your takeaway from a tragic tip-over. Braked towing is rated to 1,800 kg.
Safety
Volvo’s safety reputation is not a marketing line. The V60 range holds a five-star ANCAP rating (tested in 2019 for S60/V60), and the Cross Country carries the same fundamental structure and protection. Beyond the stars, you get city and highway AEB, lane keeping aid, blind-spot assist with steering support, rear cross-traffic alert, and Pilot Assist adaptive cruise with lane centring. Recent global software recalls have targeted items like reversing cameras and brake control calibration; Australia has issued guidance and VIN look-ups, with fixes delivered over-the-air or at dealers. Always check any car’s recall status before delivery.
Running Costs
The B5 mild-hybrid drinks 95 RON and lists 7.3 L/100 km combined; real-world sits a touch higher on suburban duties. Servicing is every 12 months/15,000 km. Volvo’s 5-year Genuine Service Plan is $3,870 for the V60 Cross Country, and the brand backs the car with a 5-year, unlimited-km warranty and roadside assist. Tyres are 19-inch on most cars; budget accordingly when replacing.
Comparison To Its Competitors
If you are wagon-curious, rivals are few. BMW 3 Series Touring is available and sharp to drive but pricier to enter, with the 330i range from $89,900 plus on-roads. Skoda Superb wagon brings huge space and starts at $74,990 drive-away in Sportline trim, undercutting on-road cost for similar footprint. Audi A4 Allroad sits near the V60 on spec and price, though local stock and timing flutter with model-year changes. If you are wagon-friendly but badge-agnostic, a Subaru Outback Touring XT offers grunt and utility from the high-$50,000 bracket, though it is not a luxury interior. The V60’s appeal is its luxury ambience and calmer ride in a segment that is disappearing.
2025 Volvo V60: Swedish Wagon With SUV-Beating Practicality
Conclusion
The 2025 VOLVO V60 is a lovely antidote to SUV fatigue. It mixes proper wagon usefulness with premium ride comfort, straightforward tech and the safety net buyers expect from Volvo. The catch is timing. With Australian supply in run-out, you will need to be flexible on colour and options. If you can find one, it is a deeply satisfying daily that treats long trips as its natural habitat.
Rating: 8.4/10
The 2025 VOLVO V60 delivers a rare blend of quiet comfort, space and tech for families who do not want an SUV. Pricing is fair for the quality, the mild-hybrid is efficient enough, and safety is bankable. Lack of a local PHEV and run-out status hold it back from a higher score.