Volvo S60 T5 R-Design 2015 Review

Deep breath... Volvo S60 T5 R-Design (DRIVE-E). A bit longer and a more confusing than, say, BMW 328i. But move beyond the odd name and there's actually quite a lot to like in Volvo's premium mid-size sedan.

For a start, there's the smoothly-styled exterior, which to this eye has aged gracefully, and has been further enhanced by the R-Design adornments seen here. As well as the styling kit to front and be-spoilered, diffuser-style rear, the exterior mirrors are specific and standard to the hunkered down R-Design. The optional (for $1725) 18-inch Ixion diamond-cut dark grey alloy wheels fitted here also work superbly with the overall aesthetic.

Inside the theme continues with specific sports seats, lathered in soft, perforated leather. Seat heating is an additional $375. Other options ticked on this example include a powered passenger seat ($1500), and the vital Driver Support Pack, which for $5000 adds a multitude of enhancements including Volvo's blind-spot information system with cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping aid, active high-beam control, forward-collision warning and road sign information displayed on the centre screen.

Additionally there's adaptive cruise control (with collision warning and – importantly – full collision auto brake, front and rear parking sensors and auto-dim for rear and side mirrors). You could argue some of that package should be standard, but taken overall it presents solid value. Adding to the base $63,890 price of the S60 T5 R-Design, the as-tested vehicle sits at a not-insubstantial $72,490 (plus on-road costs).

There's no capped-price servicing arrangement available through Volvo, although its 'Service 2.0' focus includes free software updates and extends the complementary roadside assistance program on offer by 12 months per service.

Other nice touches, such as the free transport and valet of your vehicle, ease the pain somewhat. The standard warranty period is for three years, with one- or two-year extensions available for additional expense. The warranty does not have a kilometre limit. Service intervals are annual, or every 15,000 kilometres (whichever comes first).

Under the S60's elongated bonnet sits a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. Sadly, the T5 designation no longer means a sonorous five-pot is lurking underneath. But with outputs of 180kW/350Nm – along with claimed combined fuel consumption of 6.4L/100km – there's little to fault with this engine's performance.

Coupled to the thoroughly modern eight-speed torque converter automatic, complete with sports mode and weighty shift paddles, and you have a car that performs as crisply as it looks, with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 6.3 seconds.

On approaching the Volvo S60, the first frustration emerges: There's no keyless entry. Additionally, once you've beeped yourself in the key has to fiddle its way into a slot, mounted out of the driver's eyeline to the left of the dash, behind the steering wheel rim.

Speaking of the steering wheel, it is trimmed in leather but has quite a hard plastic construction that means the leather has no give. That's contrasted with the leather used elsewhere, which is supple in a way few manufacturers at this price-point can rival.

The interior, in contrast to the exterior, does show the S60's age. Although the touchscreen is nicely functional the centre stack and particularly the ventilation controls are very busy, requiring an adjustment phase before you gain comfort in their use.

Pulling away with some steering lock employed via the electronically-assisted power steering, it's apparent that the S60 is resolutely front-wheel drive, which may detract from the rear- (BMW, Mercedes-Benz) and all- (Audi) wheel drive rivals when it comes to 'feel', lacking the purity of the rear-drivers especially.

If you can get over that steering kickback – and the occasional torque steer that comes with it when driving hard out of corners – the S60 is otherwise quite capable in the twisty stuff, especially with the R-Design's 'sport' chassis which includes anti-dive and lift functions. It turns with a minimum of roll, and though the primary ride is reasonably firm it's not a harsh place to be.

The engine and transmission are also engaged partners when enjoying driving, with strong torque from just off-idle all the way through to redline… if you can work out just where that is on the confusingly modifiable digital dash displays.

The best bet seems to be to leave the setting in default mode, where a vertical stack tachometer is visible. Eco and Sport options are available, the sport displaying a non-calibrated 'power' meter.

The transmission is sometimes too smart for its own good, pre-empting the road conditions and slurring through upshifts when you might have preferred it to stay in gear for a moment longer. Interestingly it sits the S60 in seventh gear at freeway speeds, and will upshift at redline even with Sport mode engaged.

On the freeway the S60 proves itself a capable tourer with a good audio system and exceptional sound deadening, along with a feeling of solidity that is a hallmark of Volvo cars.

For its combination of looks and performance, we'd urge you to consider the Volvo S60 range as a solid alternative to the established German brand offerings.