Volvo S60 review - hitting the Swede spot with slick saloon

The sporting S60 completes Volvo’s transformation from worthy but dull to desirable premium brand
New Volvo S60New Volvo S60
New Volvo S60

The S60 marks the final chapter in Volvo’s wholesale reinvention of its model range, which began with the XC90 back in 2014 and has seen seven all-new models launched since.

It also marks the completion of the brand’s transformation from the maker of safe, worthy and dull machines into a manufacturer of stylish, desirable premium cars.

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And make no mistake, this saloon model is all of those things.

The S60's styling is subtle but attractiveThe S60's styling is subtle but attractive
The S60's styling is subtle but attractive

As a sucker for an estate car I’ll always prefer the V60’s looks but the S60 is a handsome looking thing. The exterior, with its Thor’s hammer LED headlights, deep chin spoiler and flashes of chrome and gloss black aero is purposeful without veering into aggressive like its German rivals and the optional 20-inch alloys fill the arches perfectly.

The interior, though, is where the S60 steals the show. It’s minimalist, slick and achingly stylish. A metallic trim flows up and down from door to door, sweeping beneath the familiar nine-inch portrait touchscreen and around the squared off air vents. Physical controls are minimal - most things are taken care of via the Sensus touchscreen, steering wheel buttons or voice control - but every touch point feels a match for the quality of the German big three.

The R-Design Edition’s sports seats are very sculpted, with lots of folds and wings but they’re never uncomfortable. They support and grip in the right places without becoming too firm over long distances. Like much of the rest of the cabin they’re covered in leather as standard.

Also standard are dual-zone climate control, a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, nine-inch media/nav system, heated seats, adaptive LED headlights and the full suite of Volvo safety features including the ever improving Pilot Assist.

The S60's interior is another example of Volvo's effortless styleThe S60's interior is another example of Volvo's effortless style
The S60's interior is another example of Volvo's effortless style

Not standard but so good you’ll think its £1,675 price is worth it is the astonishing Bowers & Wilkins stereo.

Trim levels are simple, with R-Design, Inscription and Polestar Engineered, which brings exclusive Ohlins dampers and lightweight forged alloys as well as more powerful hybrid drivetrains.

R-Design models come with stiffer springs, faster dampers, thicker anti-roll bars and a lower ride height than Inscriptions, putting the focus on the S60’s sports saloon ambitions. Our test car was also fitted with adaptive dampers which helped enhance the drive on some challenging roads.

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In this sportier guise, it feels fantastically balanced and composed. It can’t match the imperious handling and engagement of the Jaguar XE but near-50:50 weight distribution and impressive damping and chassis setup mean there’s plenty of enjoyment to be had threading the S60 along winding roads. The body stays flat as you use the quick (but not too twitchy) steering to guide it but the suspension is supple enough to shrug off all but the worst potholes and despite its near two-tonne weight it changes direction willingly and rapidly.

The S60 is a flag-bearer for Volvo's move away from diesel enginesThe S60 is a flag-bearer for Volvo's move away from diesel engines
The S60 is a flag-bearer for Volvo's move away from diesel engines

The S60 is the first Volvo not to be offered with a diesel, and the engine line-up is a mix of turbocharged petrols and petrol/electric hyrbids. Our test car was a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 247bhp and badged T5. The engine is well matched to the chassis - muscular enough to push the S60 to 62mph in just 6.5 seconds and with plenty of impetus through the gears (an occasionally sluggish eight-speed auto with manual override). The engine note is pretty uninspiring (like most turbo fours) but is well hushed when you just want to cruise along, which it also handles ably.

Alongside the T4 there are T4 and T6s with between 187bhp and 320HP, B3, B4 and B5 mild hybrids with between 161bhp and 247bhp, and T6 and T8 “Recharge” plug-in hybrids with 335bhp and 385bhp respectively.

It’s a mark of how far Volvo has come in recent years that as well its waftability, we can now talk about the S60’s entertaining driving and unparalleled style. It’s a fitting bookend to a remarkable transformation for the brand as well as pointing towards its future with the zero-diesel hybrid-heavy approach.

Volvo S60 T5 R-Design

Price: £39,035 (£41,210 as tested); Engine: 20-litre, four-cylinder, turbo, petrol; Power: 247bhp; Torque: 258lb/ft; Transmission: Eight-speed automatic; Top speed: 145mph; 0-62mph: 6.5 seconds; Economy: 35.3-29.8mpg; CO2 emissions: 155g/km

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