IF you had to choose two words to describe the Volvo V60 they’d surely be ‘comfort’ and ‘smoothness’.

Because those are the themes that run throughout.

Looks-wise there are few cars out there that are as smooth a customer as the V60, aside from its siblings in the range.

Volvo is in a great place design-wise and this car is certainly no exception.

Initially available in three specs – Momentum, R-Design and Inscription – the range has now been added to with the rugged Crosscountry version.

Momentum is entry level spec and standard features include a choice of six-speed manual or eight-speed auto gearbox, speed sensitive steering, cruise control, power parking brake, keyless start, power tailgate, rear park assist, alloys, climate control, lots of safety kit and a 9in touch screen infotainment system with nav and Volvo On Call, which connects you quickly in emergencies.

Pretty tasty for ‘base’ spec.

R-Design is the one with the sporty edge and Volvo expects 30% of sales in the UK to be in this trim, the biggest chunk for one model in the range.

It adds touches like sports seats, dual exhaust pipe, front park assist, heated steering wheel, sport mats and pedals, R-Design tread plates and a sports chassis.

It looks and feels the business.

Inscription is the luxury model (not that they aren’t all pretty lovely), and includes leather-faced upholstery, multicolour theatre lighting, driftwood inlays and various other touches to make a special car feel even more so.

The drive, too, is a beautiful mix of smoothness and comfort.

It wafts up to speed with confidence with no fuss and little effort.

It cruises wonderfully and the driving position makes you feel totally in tune with the car, surrounded by a lovely cabin ¬– more on that shortly.

Our manual tester proved a light and easy drive and the auto is a seamless gearbox too.

The ride is as smooth as it gets and the handling spot on.

Mid-40s to the gallon on the cruise wasn’t an issue for the 190hp diesel in our Momentum tester, not too far off the on-paper figure of 61.4mpg on the combined cycle.

CO2 is a mere 122g/km on this model. Not shabby for a fairly large estate.

The D4 diesel we drove is the more powerful unit, with the D3 150hp also available. MPG is pretty similar, while CO2 is 5g/km lower.

There is of course one for the petrolheads – the 250hp T5, which naturally is not so good on the fuel but is rather nippy.

More petrol options are likely in 2019, along with the excellent T8 hybrid that the V90 and S90 already has.

And then there is the cabin, which upholds Volvo’s reputation for absolute quality. It’s just a clean, slick, high-end but minimalist place to be. Everything feels premium and it’s beautifully fitted and finished.

There is plenty of rear space and the boot is typically large – a class-leading 529 litres with the rear seats in use, in fact.

There’s nothing to fault the v60 – it’s quite simply a lesson in how to do a quality motoring experience.

Prices run from £31,810 to north of £40k.