Review: 2026 Volvo V60 B4 Ultra
There’s something quietly reassuring about a Volvo estate. While the rest of the automotive world seems to be locked in an arms race of ever-bigger SUVs with increasingly aggressive grilles and more driving modes than a NASA control panel, Volvo just… carries on calmly, sensibly, and with a faint whiff of Scandi smugness.
The 2026 Volvo V60 B4 FWD Ultra sits right in the heart of that philosophy. It’s not the biggest estate Volvo makes, that honour still goes to the V90, but it’s arguably the sweet spot. Big enough for family life, road trips, dogs, camping gear and the usual collection of “I’ll just chuck it in the boot” nonsense, yet compact enough to not feel like you’re captaining a canal barge through Tesco car park.
In Ultra trim, it’s the posh one. The one you buy when you’ve decided you deserve heated everything, a proper sound system, and seats that feel like they’ve been designed by orthopaedic surgeons with a side hustle in luxury furniture.
But in a world obsessed with ride height and fake ruggedness, does a traditional estate like this still make sense, especially for the sort of outdoorsy, muddy-booted lifestyle we tend to bang on about? Let’s find out.
First Impressions – Understated Confidence
You don’t buy a V60 to show off. You buy it because you’ve grown out of needing to.
The design is classic Volvo - clean lines, subtle aggression, and just enough detail to make it interesting without shouting about it. The “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights are still one of the best lighting signatures in the business, and the long roofline gives it that proper estate silhouette that’s becoming increasingly rare.
In Ultra trim, there’s a bit more sparkle, larger alloys, more chrome (tasteful, mind), and a general sense that this is the one with all the toys. It’s not trying to look like an off-roader, and thank goodness for that. No plastic cladding pretending it’s ready for the Dakar Rally. Just a smart, well-proportioned estate that knows exactly what it is.
And that, frankly, is refreshing.
On the Road – Smooth Operator
The V60 B4 uses a mild-hybrid 2.0-litre petrol engine, paired with front-wheel drive. Now, before you start muttering about AWD being essential for “adventure”, let’s be honest, 95% of driving happens on tarmac, and this is where the V60 absolutely shines.
The first thing you notice is how composed it feels. Volvo has nailed that balance between comfort and control. It’s not floaty, but it’s not stiff either. It just glides along in that understated, confidence-inspiring way that makes long journeys feel effortless.
Motorways are its natural habitat. Set the cruise, settle into those frankly magnificent seats, and it’ll munch miles like Lilly the Mud Life dog with a packet of biscuits. Road noise is well suppressed, wind noise is minimal, and the whole thing feels properly grown-up.
On A-roads and twistier bits, it’s not going to set your pants on fire, but it’s not meant to. The steering is accurate and there’s enough grip to carry decent pace without drama. It leans a bit if you get enthusiastic, but it never feels out of its depth.
The mild-hybrid system does its thing quietly in the background, smoothing out stop-start traffic and giving a slight boost when needed. It’s not a performance car, but it’s brisk enough for everyday use, with a relaxed, unflustered delivery.
Fuel Economy
In real-world driving, you’re looking at somewhere in the mid-40s mpg if you’re sensible, maybe dipping into the high 30s if, like me, you’re pressing on or fully loaded. For a petrol estate of this size, I reckon that’s respectable.
More importantly, it’s consistent. There’s no wild fluctuation or “only achieves that downhill with a tailwind” nonsense. It just quietly gets on with it.
All Roads, All Surfaces – Calm and Collected
Here’s where the V60 makes a strong case for itself against the SUV brigade.
Because it sits lower, it feels more planted. More connected. Less like you’re perched on top of something and more like you’re part of it. On wet roads, it inspires confidence. On long sweeping bends, it feels stable and predictable.
Hit a rough B-road, and while you’ll be more aware of the surface than in a big, soft SUV, it never becomes uncomfortable. The suspension deals with lumps and bumps with a quiet competence that’s very Volvo. And because it’s not towering over the road, it’s easier to place. Narrow lanes, tight car parks, awkward village corners, it all feels less stressful.
Off-Road? Let’s Be Honest…
No. Just… no.
It’s front-wheel drive, relatively low, and wearing road-biased tyres. Compared to SUVs, the V60 feels more honest. Most crossovers will also struggle off-road despite their chunky looks, but they carry the extra weight, higher centre of gravity, and compromised handling all the time.
The V60, by contrast, accepts its limitations and excels where it matters most, on-road performance, efficiency, and everyday usability.
For muddy fields and campsites? You’ll need to pick your parking spot carefully. But for getting there in comfort and style, it’s hard to beat.
Interior – Scandinavian Living Room on Wheels
Step inside, and you’re greeted by one of the nicest interiors in this class.
Volvo has a knack for making cabins feel both premium and calming. There’s no clutter, no unnecessary fuss—just clean design, quality materials, and a sense that everything has been thought through.
Seats and Comfort
The seats deserve special mention. Volvo seats have long been the benchmark, and these are no exception. Supportive, comfortable, and perfect for long journeys, they make you wonder why other manufacturers haven’t caught up.
Heated, ventilated, electrically adjustable, it’s all here in Ultra trim. And crucially, they’re comfortable in a way that doesn’t rely on gimmicks. No aggressive bolstering or overly firm padding. Just properly designed chairs.
Rear passengers are well catered for too, with plenty of legroom and decent headroom despite the sloping roofline. It’s a genuinely usable family car, not just one that looks good in the brochure.
Storage and Practicality
There’s a good amount of storage dotted around the cabin, door bins, centre console, cupholders, all the usual suspects.
The boot is where things get interesting. It’s not van-like in size, but it’s well shaped and very usable. Flat floor, low loading lip, and enough space for camping gear, luggage, and the inevitable collection of “just in case” items.
Can it fit a sofa? Well… a flat-pack one, maybe. A full three-seater from DFS? You might struggle unless you’ve got a saw and a questionable attitude to warranties. But for real-world use, tip runs, camping trips, dog transport, it’s more than adequate.
Loading the Real World – Dogs, Mud and General Tat
Here’s where estates still make a lot of sense.
The lower ride height means it’s easier to load heavy or awkward items. No heaving bags up into the boot like you would with an SUV. Just slide them in.
For dogs, it’s ideal. A muddy Lurcher can jump in without needing a step ladder, and you’re less likely to end up with scratched bumpers from failed attempts.
Chuck in some camping gear, a muddy pair of boots, maybe a fire pit and a bag of logs, it all fits without fuss. And because the boot is long rather than tall, it’s easier to organise.
That said, you’ll still want a boot liner if you’re regularly hauling mud and chaos. It’s a nice interior, and you’ll feel slightly guilty trashing it.
Tech and Pet Peeves – The Good, The Bad, The Touchscreen
Volvo’s infotainment system is slick, modern, and largely intuitive. It’s based around a smaller than usual central touchscreen, which is appreciated, and for the most part, it works well. But, and this is a big but, it leans heavily into touchscreen controls for things that really shouldn’t be.
Heater Controls. Yes, they’re in the screen.
No, I don’t like it.
Adjusting temperature while driving shouldn’t require prodding a screen. It’s one of those basic functions that deserves a proper knob or dial. Something you can adjust without taking your eyes off the road.
Volvo, you’ve lost points here.
Driver Assistance Systems
Lane departure warning, speed alerts, driver monitoring, it’s all here, and it’s all very keen to let you know about it.
The good news is that most of it can be adjusted or turned off.
The bad news? It’s not always straightforward.
Want to switch off lane assist? That’ll be four prods of the screen. It’s not the worst system out there, but it’s not the most user-friendly either. A couple of physical shortcut buttons wouldn’t go amiss, so more points deducted.
Verdict – The Sensible Choice That Feels a Bit Special
The 2026 Volvo V60 B4 FWD Ultra isn’t trying to be everything to everyone.
It’s not pretending to be an off-roader. It’s not chasing lap times. It’s not covered in fake vents and pointless aggression. Instead, it focuses on doing the important things really, really well.
It’s comfortable. It’s practical. It’s refined. And it has a quiet sense of quality that makes you feel like you’ve made a good decision, rather than an impulsive one.
In a world where SUVs dominate, the V60 is a reminder that a well-executed estate still makes a huge amount of sense. In many ways, it’s the better tool for the job.
Will it get you across a boggy field? No.
Will it get you to that field in far greater comfort, using less fuel, and without making you feel like you’re driving a wardrobe? Absolutely. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you want.
Final Thoughts
If SUVs are the hiking boots of the car world, the V60 is a really good pair of trainers, lighter, sharper, and far nicer to wear every day.
Just maybe park at the edge of the field… and bring wellies.
