VOLVO V60 T5 2.0 versus VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT VARIANT R-LINE 2.0
A Swedish “Viking” takes on a Teutonic “knight” in this battle to win over estate buyers.
IF you think that station wagons are only meant for staid drivers, you probably haven’t visited the car showrooms along Leng Kee and Alexandra Road within the past decade.
Station wagons/estates are no longer the unexciting cars of yesteryear that were usually owned by tradesmen.
In fact, most estates today are as dynamic-looking as their saloon counterparts. And station wagons aren’t just practical haulers – they can be quite sporty, too.
The “Viking” in this story is the Volvo V60 T5. Although it was first introduced five years ago, a timely facelift has helped ensure that it still looks relevant. The Volvo’s curvy silhouette remains striking, while its slimmer grille and redesigned headlamps have made its face more attractive than before.
The V60’s refreshed design is key to wooing buyers who might otherwise be drawn to the Volkswagen Passat Variant – the Teutonic “knight” in this tale. Apart from being larger than the Volvo, the VW is also no slouch in the looks department.
The Passat Variant’s styling, which has strong and clean lines, is further enhanced by the standard R-Line package, which features sportier-looking bumpers and 19-inch wheels – two sizes bigger than the V60’s.
As the newer contender, the Passat Variant’s cabin is also more impressive than the V60’s. Its all-digital instrument cluster, for instance, is more compelling than the V60’s because of its larger display and sharper graphics, which comfortably show more information.
The Passat Variant also helps the driver with parking manoeuvres via the Area View function, which displays a 360-degree view of the vehicle’s surroundings. More importantly, this VW also offers greater practicality than its rival, thanks to its more useful storage points.
The Passat Variant’s larger size has translated into a roomier backseat, which also has a third climate zone for occupants there.
The V60’s bench, however, is far cushier, and its air-con vents on the B-pillars are far better at cooling passengers compared to the ones in the Passat Variant, which are located lower on the centre console.
The V60’s biggest drawback is its smaller boot. Its capacities – 430 litres (rear seats up) and 1241 litres (rear seats folded) are substantially smaller than the Passat Variant’s 650 litres and 1780 litres.
The V60, however, leaps ahead of the Passat Variant when it comes to performance. Although both estates are powered by turbocharged 2-litre 4-pot engines, the Volvo delivers 245bhp, or 25bhp more than the VW.
This enables the V60 to sprint from rest to 100km/h in 6.4 seconds, or half a second quicker than its rival. More impressively, the V60 does this despite weighing 100kg more than its competitor.
Indeed, the V60’s eager acceleration makes you forget about its heftier mass. Nail the throttle pedal to the floor and this Swedish station wagon zooms off, propelled by a wave of torque that makes you wonder if it’s actually powered by a turbo- diesel unit.
Although the Passat Variant is no slouch, it just doesn’t feel as responsive as the V60. Sure, its dual-clutch gearbox is snappy, but the power delivery is calibrated for refinement rather than sportiness.
It’s the same story for both in terms of handling. The V60 feels keener around corners compared to the comfort- biased Passat Variant. In fact, the VW’s rear end feels heavier than the Volvo’s.
Both station wagons, however, are closely matched in terms of pricing. The V60 is retailing for $185,000, while the Passat Variant is priced at $190,900.
As the dust from this mighty medieval clash settles, it’s clear that buyers who opt for the Swedish “Viking” will get a faster, safer and more powerful estate. But those who choose the Teutonic “knight” will enjoy the benefits of a roomier and more polished station wagon.
