The V60 makes a very fine tow car, in both front-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive forms.

We’ve tested both this year, with the less muscular D3 version sending its power to the front wheels.

In dry weather, we didn’t really miss four-wheel drive. Even the hill start on a 1-in-6 gradient was tackled without any drama at all.

However, there is a noticeable performance penalty if you choose the D3 over the more powerful D4: it takes a rather leisurely 15.9 seconds to go from 30 – 60mph, as you might when joining the motorway.

What’s more, the engine sounds rather coarse when put to work. Acceleration may be steady, but we’ve no complaints about stability. At the legal limit and beyond, the V60 inspired confidence.

The car is safe and secure in emergency manoeuvres, too, with powerful braking and remarkable composure in the lane-change test.

You expect an estate to have lots of room, and our practicality testers found space for all but one item from their typical load.

Passengers should be happy, because the V60 has plenty of head- and legroom and the ride is comfortable; although the R-Design model tested here has a firmer feel than the rest of the range.

As with any modern Volvo, the cabin is beautifully made from high-quality materials. We just wish that the Sensus touchscreen was easier to use while on the move.

Safety standards are high, with a comprehensive list of driver aids as standard. There’s also the reassurance of a five-star rating from Euro NCAP.