Why Swede dreams are made of this

VOLVO’S regeneration continues with the second generation V60 mid-sized estate model.

It has the company’s sophisticated scalable product architecture chassis, class-leading safety tech and two choices for plug-in hybrid power.

If you’re looking at German rivals such as the Audi A4 Avant, the BMW 3 Series Touring or the Mercedes C-Class Estate, this Swedish alternative might be a refreshingly different option.

You wouldn’t expect Volvo, a solid, traditional brand that pioneered the kind of boxy estate car into which you could fit a fridge, to want much to do with this kind of trendy form over function approach. But you’d be wrong.

The Swedish brand actually invented this style-conscious market niche back in the ’60s. But it took it until 2010 to return to it with the first generation version of their V60 model. That car wasn’t quite good enough to significantly trouble its dominant Germanbranded rivals. But this design, its successor, might well be.

The previous V60 couldn’t really match the sharp handling reactions of its premium German rivals but buyers can expect a significant improvement in that area.

If you’ve looked at the various premium brand rivals targeted by this car, you’ll have a pretty good idea of what to expect here when it comes to pricing.

The V60 range sits in the same £32,000-£40,000 bracket targeted by competitors.

Safety standards are class-leading – and most of the features come as standard across the range.

Inside, there’s much more borrowed from those V90 and XC60 models, the interior boasting Volvo’s latest, paired back interior design language with a 9.3-inch portrait orientated touchscreen infotainment system.

Plus there’s a digital instrument panel, with virtual dials separated by a customisable central space that can display a navigational map, trip computer info or your chosen phone or media settings.

Volvo estates aren’t what they used to be – and in this case, that’s a very good thing. This second generation V60 will find it easier than its predecessor to conquest sales from German rivals.

Class-leading safety gives this Swedish contender a tangible advantage over such competitors.

If you’re just about to sign for a premium 3 Series or A4-sized estate, then you might want to try one of these before you do. Swede dreams are made of this.