Fifth Gear Volvo S60 review
The previous generation of S60 was reasonably successful for Volvo, which still believes it must continue to compete in the premium saloon sector if it is to flourish.
The Swedish manufacturer could hardly have picked a tougher fight - the Audi A4, BMW 3-Series and Mercedes C-Class sit atop one of the closest fought segments in the industry. And all three were resolutely named as the S60's closest rivals.
The saloon is built on a heavily modified S80/XC60 platform, and this year's total volume will be neatly divided between Europe, Asia and America. However, some continents are more equal than others; Europe will get what Volvo calls the 'dynamic' chassis setup, while Asia and America share the softer 'touring' version of the car. The idea behind this is that a small saloon cannot succeed here if it is not rewarding to drive. As such, Volvo spent a lot of time fine-tuning the S60 - even going as far as employing former racing driver John Cleland to provide feedback - and insists that it is the sportiest car in the current line-up.
That's not something you could ascertain just by looking at the engines available in the UK from launch. Two versions of Volvo's familiar five-cylinder diesels will be offered, but the 304bhp 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine is the only petrol on the spec sheet. A new 2.0-litre turbocharged engine will join the range six months after launch, as an ultra-frugal 115g/km CO2 1.6-litre DRIVe version.
Of course for some premium customers it won't really matter which engine is under the body - they'll make their minds up based on the styling and perceived quality. On this front the new S60 does particularly well. Volvo has ditched the staid design of its predecessor for a sleeker appearance, but has done so without sacrificing brand identity.
Inside, there's a neat, brushed aluminium focal points on an attractive dashboard with a new 5-inch or 7-inch infotainment screen which is a welcome replacement for the old flip-up sat nav system. Volvo's aging instrument display remains a gripe, but otherwise the company should be applauded for hitting the premium nail squarely on the head.
And on the road? Well, the S60 never feels less than firmly planted, and over smooth surfaces it is more than capable of fast, fluid process. The higher performance models will be available with Volvo's AWD system, but frankly we'd opt for the lighter front-wheel drive version which seemed to have more poise, and made up for its comparative lack of traction with a more engaging character.
There are some shortfalls - the S60's steering has improved, but it is still someway short of the class leaders in terms of feel; the diesel engines are strong, but noisy, and have a habit of delivering their power in narrow globules; the firm ride quality suffers over poorly surfaced roads and the elderly automatic gearboxes will snatch at changes and hesitate over the appropriate ratio. Nevertheless the overall impression is of a vastly improved car, and while it may only be able to grope at the dynamism of the 3-Series it is a match for the benign drive delivered by the Audi A4.
Ultimately it would be difficult to argue that the S60 is as accomplished as its closest rivals - there are enough niggles for it to fall short of the stellar benchmark set by the Germans - but it remains a handsome, spacious, capable alternative to the class leaders, and is fine step in the right direction for the brand.
Fifth Gear overall car ratings
STYLING
The S60's look might not be to everyone's taste, but it's hard to imagine a svelter update of the Volvo profile. There's a sleek, well-proportioned saloon behind that sharper nose, and the high waist line tapers to a reasonably attractive rear end.
HANDLING
Volvo really have tightened up the responsiveness of the S60's chassis, and there's plenty of grip to play with. Slightly muted steering means it isn't the most entertaining drive, but there's enough talent to thread fast corners together. The torque vectoring traction control takes some getting used to, but by feeding power to the outside wheel it does reduce understeer.
COMFORT
There is almost always some pay off when you focus on dynamism, and in the case of the S60 it is the ride quality. On smooth surfaces and at low speeds the Volvo is fine, but subject it to choppy surfacing at pace and things become a bit more unsettled. Uncomfortable would be an overstatement - just don't expect the saloon to waft around like a Jag.
QUALITY & RELIABILITY
The S60 does feel solidly put together, and Volvo has engineered in just enough of that premium feel without needlessly breaking the bank. The new controls and infotainment screen are light years ahead of the Volvo's previous attempts, and the saloon is conspicuously better looking inside than the rest of the range.
PERFORMANCE
The 3.0-litre straight-six is a smooth talking range topper with plenty of thrust, but frankly you'd be insane to pay the asking price with the comparative 3-Series within budget. The oil burners make more sense and develop plenty of pull, but the five-cylinder engines are beginning to show their age, and are not as refined as the competition.
ROOMINESS
Practicality has always been one of Volvo's strengths and the S60 is no exception. It's the second largest car in its class, and it shows. There's plenty of room in the front and the back, and a boot big enough to swallow all you could reasonably expect to carry in a saloon.
STEREO / SAT NAV
The S60's stereo does its job in an unspectacular kind of fashion, but the sat nav will seem like a considerable improvement on the previous tech. It's not ground breaking by any means, but the controls are easy to get to grips with, and the unit looks much tidier embedded in the dash than it did being stranded on top.
RUNNING COSTS
Ignoring the predictably thirsty straight-six petrol engine, the two diesels are said to be capable of mpg figures in the mid fifties. Even allowing for the usual does manufacturer optimism, that's not bad, although BMW in particular has moved the game on. You can expect the Volvo to depreciate quicker than the ultra-popular A4 and 3-Series.
VALUE FOR MONEY
The S60's pricing lands it right in the killing fields. The base spec might be slightly cheaper than its direct rivals, but it's still rubbing shoulders with the best in class. Buyers will have to really take to the new Volvo and not have their heads turned by the competition.
ENVIRONMENT
We'll just have to wait for the 1.6-litre DRIVe to appreciate how kind to the environment the S60 can be. The current 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre diesel engines both emit under 140g/km of CO2 when mated to the manual gearbox.
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Comment by: jharna
28 February 2011 - 06:21
The 2011 Volvo S60 is a sporty entry-level luxury automobile that will be a superb match for somebody who likes the status of a luxurious sedan but desires a extra stylish look and feel.
http://www.autolinemag.com/759-2011-volvo-s60-review.html
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