2017 Volvo S60 Reviews

The PHEV powertrain of the Volvo S60 was scrapped a few years ago but the recently launched Black Edition sees it return. Is it a victorious homecoming?

There are effectively two range-topping models in the Volvo S60 2020 range - and they both wear the R-Design badge.The more affordable is the T5 R-Design, which has a list price of $64,990 plus on-road costs. The more expensive (for a reason) is the T8 plug-in hybrid, which lists at $85,990 plus on-roads.The T5 represents a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine with 192kW of power (at 5700rpm) and 400Nm of torque (1800-4800rpm) - that’s 5kW/50Nm more than the other T5 models. It uses an eight-speed auto, and has permanent AWD. Its 0-100km/h time is claimed at 6.3 seconds. Fuel consumption is claimed at 7.3L/100km.The T8 is a more tech-heavy powertrain. It also uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine (with 246kW of power and 430Nm of torque) that is paired it to an electric motor producing 65kW/240Nm. The combined outputs for this hybrid drivetrain equate to a phenomenal 311kW and 680Nm. The 0-100km/h time for this version of S60 R-Design is just 4.3sec! And because it has electric power that can run the car for 50 kilometres, fuel consumption is claimed at just 2.0L/100km.As for equipment, the T5 and T8 R-Design models are almost identical - though the T5 version gets Volvo’s Four-C adaptive chassis setup, which isn’t available on the T8.Otherwise, R-Design variants have ‘Polestar optimisation’ (a bespoke suspension tune from Volvo’s performance division), 19-inch alloys with a unique look, a sporty exterior and interior design pack with R-Design sports leather seats, paddle-shifters on the steering wheel, and mesh metal interior finishes.That’s on top of standard LED headlights, daytime running lights and tail-lights, a 9.0-inch multimedia touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as DAB+ digital radio, keyless entry, auto dimming rear vision mirror, auto dimming and auto folding wing-mirrors, dual-zone climate control and leather trim on the seats and steering wheel.Safety gear is extensive, too, with auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear AEB, lane keeping assist with lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring with steering assist, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors. The R-Design also has a head-up display, a 360-degree parking camera and auto-parking assist.

The entry point to the Volvo S60 2020 model range is the Momentum variant.This entry-level model is priced at $54,990 plus on-road costs, undercutting rival luxury models by thousands of dollars. It has 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail-lights, a 9.0-inch multimedia touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as DAB+ digital radio, keyless entry, auto dimming rear vision mirror, auto dimming and auto folding wing-mirrors, dual-zone climate control and real leather trim on the seats and steering wheel.Safety equipment for all S60 models includes standard auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear AEB, lane keeping assist with lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring with steering assist, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors. The Momentum is available only with the T5 powertrain - a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with an eight-speed automatic with permanent all-wheel drive (AWD). The engine produces 187kW of power (at 5500pm) and 350Nm of torque (1800-4800rpm), and offers a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of 6.4 seconds. Fuel use is claimed at 7.3 litres per 100 kilometres.

The most luxury-focused model in the Volvo S60 2020 model range is the Inscription variant, which has a list price of $60,990 plus on-road costs.It builds upon the extensive equipment offered in the Momentum grade with 19-inch alloy wheels, directional LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, four-zone climate control, wood interior highlights, ambient lighting, heated front seats with cushion extensions, and a 230-volt power outlet in the rear console.That’s on top of the standard LED tail-lights, a 9.0-inch multimedia touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as DAB+ digital radio, keyless entry, auto dimming rear vision mirror, auto dimming and auto folding wing-mirrors, dual-zone climate control and leather trim on the seats and steering wheel.Safety gear is extensive, too, with auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear AEB, lane keeping assist with lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring with steering assist, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors. The Inscription also has a head-up display, a 360-degree parking camera and auto-parking assist.The Inscription is available only with the T5 powertrain - a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with an eight-speed automatic with permanent all-wheel drive (AWD). The engine produces 187kW of power (at 5500pm) and 350Nm of torque (1800-4800rpm), and offers a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of 6.4 seconds. Fuel use is claimed at 7.3 litres per 100 kilometres.

The all-new Volvo S60 is a gorgeous sedan - but there's more to it than just good looks. This new mid-size model follows a successful path from the Swedish brand in recent years, and as a result, it could well have Audi, BMW and Mercedes covered in this part of the market.

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the 2015 Volvo S60 Polestar with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Paul Gover road tests and reviews the Volvo V60 Polestar.

Paul Gover road tests and reviews the 2015 Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar , with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the Volvo S60 T5 Drive-E, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Volvo has made substantial changes to its most potent road car, the S60 Polestar and cut the price at the same time. It now retails for $99,950 which seriously undercuts direct all-wheel drive competitors like Audi's S4 and S5 as well as the forthcoming BMW M3/4 which will likely be around the $160-170 grand mark and is now a turbo six cylinder just like the Polestar. The Bimmers don't get all wheel drive however.Volvo would be rubbing its hands together because in the handsome Polestar they have a car that takes it right to the top of the European sports sedan segment offering performance to keep the front runners honest with safety and driver assistance functions to beat them. And the price is super sharp.We drove the first version last year in Sweden and were quite impressed particularly with the Ohlins spec' suspension and the Polestar's ride and handling. It needed better brakes, paddle shift and sports seats all of which have been delivered this time around with a substantial $10 grand price cut.ENGINE / TRANSMISSIONThe engine remains the same – a 3.0-litre straight six cylinder turbo petrol with 257kW/500Nm output. It's based on the S60 T6 unit, Polestar optimised with a bigger turbo, intercooler and engine computer remap along with a sporty exhaust. Polestar is the outfit responsible for Volvo's surprisingly effective V8 Supercar that's wreaking havoc among the established players this year.With the new fluid auto transmission comes launch control and super sharp shifts up and down the range. It helps the car click over a 0-100kmh sprint in 4.9 seconds as well as making the Polestar more engaging. DESIGNVolvo/Polestar tweaked the car's aerodynamic using a wind tunnel to refine the front splitter and rear diffuser along with underbody air flow. The chassis was beefed up with various bracings to contain the power and torque without affecting handling.FEATURESInside is typical Volvo luxury – classy and understated with goodies like a multi-function wheel, premium 10 speaker audio with multimedia connectivity and Bluetooth phone and audio. There's a 7 inch colour info screen and excellent bi-xenon headlights that have an active bending function to see around corners as well as auto high beam.There's a reverse camera. front and rear parking sonar, keyless entry and start, and sports leather front seats. Driver assist features include adaptive cruise control, collision warning, queue assist, pedestrian and cyclist detection, city safety autonomous braking and road sign recognition. They will probably make it into other makes in another decade or so…DRIVINGWe really enjoyed this car because it's sensible with a wicked twist. Nobody needs more performance than the Polestar delivers but the actual drive feel is what it's really all about. Not too firm, not too soft, not too sharp, and the car has superb acceleration across a wide engine speed range. A tad more would be even better. It's not a razor sharp sports sedan/track car though, more of your sporty road car from behind the wheel.Having all wheel drive via the latest Haldex system gives the Polestar traction advantages demonstrated when it's put through a set of tight corners at speed. It gives a well planted feel when pressed hard.Then, when the brakes are required, Polestar owners will not feel under endowed as the new Brembos, with six pistons on the front no less, make light work of stopping this weighty, luxury sports sedan. It rolls on 19-inch alloys of reasonable dimensions, could be a tad wider for our liking.The luxury interior is appreciated as are all the safety and assistance features. But it needs a more strident exhaust note to light an enthusiast's fire.