Volvo S60 2014 Review
Volvo's S60 undergoes a rally-inspired makeover.Road Test
Volvo’s S60 T5 R-Design brings a dash of sexy to the Swede’s medium car line-up, but do the bling and badge upgrade extend beyond the aesthetic?
The T5 R-Design sits alongside the T6 at the top of the S60s four model line-up, D4, T4, T5 and T6. It’s offered across three trim levels -- Kinetic, Luxury and R-Design.
Under the bonnet of our T5 lives a 2.0-litre four-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine that puts out 177kW and a handy 320Nm from 1800rpm, mated to Volvo’s six-speed Powershift transmission -- the only transmission on offer for the T5. It has a top speed of 230km/h and moves from 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds. So as far as the numbers go, it’s got potential.
As you would expect, it features an extensive list of R-inspired goodies, including R-Design sport seats with perforated leather, leather steering wheel and leather illuminated gearshift knob, sports pedals, dual exhaust pipes, R-Design body kit, rear spoiler, 18-inch grey alloys and a 10-speaker premium sound system.
Behind the wheel however, the first thing to notice about the front-wheel-driveT5 is its burdensome steering and weighty front-end. The heavy nose and electric-assisted steering translates to a slightly tiresome and artificial steer -- and it requires considerably more effort than I care to expend on my day-to-day drive.
The R-Design models do gain a sports chassis, and that rigidity translates as solid and composed feel on the road. But when it comes to cornering and overall dynamics, the T5s sporting prowess is not quite as convincing as its name may suggest. The S60 definitely feels more stately than sporty.
Power is slow to build and then there’s a startling surge. Checking in at 1542kg, the S60 feels unfit and it’s a little patchy in its power delivery -- including some inevitable front-wheel spin from standstill. It lacks the composure I’ve come to expect from Volvo.
But it’s not all bad news for the S60 T5 R-Design, the six-speed transmission is good, smooth, and the 2.0-litre engine is happy to rev -- it feels fully primed at around 3500rpm. Flipping to sequential shift, the turbo-petrol engine is a joy to navigate. And the revs are all yours, until just before its 6500rpm redline, at which point it quickly steps in with a gear change.
At freeway speeds, rolling acceleration was a little slow, but manually engaging a downshift quickly remedies this. Brakes were quick to respond and felt good underfoot.
Moving to the interior, you’ve got to praise the S60 for its superb fit and finish, amidst a sophisticated design aesthetic -- albeit it slightly aging, with Volvo still hanging onto its floating console arrangement. A mix of premium-quality textures and thoughtful execution creates a beautiful cabin and the R-Design trim brings a subtle rally vibe to the Volvo range. The steering wheel feels great in hand and the cabin has a seamless flow, with flawless ergonomics. It’s also thoughtful in its inclusion of multiple storage compartments.
Technology is of a high standard, including a seven-inch colour screen as the hub of all controls -- satellite navigation with voice control, Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free telephony and audio streaming, rear parking camera and parking sensors and don’t forget the parking ticket holder. Most importantly, all aspects of it worked without fault.
Second-row passengers are also afforded the same level of comfort and luxury as up front, with their large leather seats and spacious accommodation. The placement of the second row air vents in the B-pillar is ideal for optimal airflow and passenger visibility is good.
It’s a very comfortable place to be.
The S60 is undoubtedly well equipped for a full load, with ample cabin space and storage well sorted, and 60:40 split fold seats with centre through-load hatch.
The R-Design misses out on the idle stop/start technology other models benefit from, leaving it with a claimed consumption is 8.6L/100km for a combined cycle. On our test it registered around 10.4L/100km for a week dominated by urban driving -- reasonable for real-world driving conditions.
It almost goes without saying that safety features in abundant proportions in the S60, including dynamic stability and traction control, antilock brakes, brake-force distribution, emergency brake assist and emergency brake lights with hazard activation, driver and front-passenger dual airbags, two full-length side airbags, side impact protection system, whiplash protection and Volvo’s City Safety technology. It gains a five-star safety rating.
After a week getting acquainted with the S60 T5 R-Design, I’m left torn. There’s so much good to be thankful for, but the R-Design badge led me to hope for more. The S60 T5 R-Design is good, but maybe not quite what you’re expecting.
Pricing and specifications:
Price: $60,190 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 177kW/320Nm
Transmission: Six-speed Powershift
Fuel: 8.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 204g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP
| What we liked: | Not so much: |
| >> Plush interior | >> Heavy steering |
| >> Excellent comfort | >> No all-wheel-drive |
| >> Safety | >> Patchy power delivery |
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