The V60 nameplate first appeared for the 2011 model year, when Volvo introduced it as a premium sports wagon positioned between the larger traditional estates and the more compact V50. The original car debuted in 2010 and was designed to give Volvo a lower, sleeker, more driver-focused alternative to the brand’s more utility-oriented wagons. It shared its basic architecture with the contemporary S60 sedan and helped broaden Volvo’s modern wagon lineup with a car that emphasized style and road manners as much as everyday practicality.
The first-generation V60 remained in production through 2018 and became known for blending Scandinavian design with Volvo’s long wagon tradition. It also spawned notable variants, including the V60 Cross Country, which added extra ride height and a more rugged appearance, and the plug-in hybrid version that brought electrified performance into the nameplate’s history.
A second-generation V60 arrived in 2018, moving to Volvo’s newer SPA platform and taking the model further upmarket with a cleaner design, improved safety technology, and a more refined cabin. This generation continued the V60’s role as Volvo’s midsize premium wagon and kept the nameplate relevant in markets where estate cars remain an important part of the brand’s identity. Rather than disappearing and later returning, the V60 has evolved through consecutive generations, making it one of Volvo’s clearest modern links to the company’s long-standing wagon heritage.