Volvo S60 - the most comfortable in the class?

Volvo S60 received the next generation. To test them, we had to drive all the way to… California. Why and why is the new Volvo different? We invite you to the report.

Volvo S60 it has always been an interesting middle class car. However, he never managed to get close to the German trio - A4, Series 3 and C-Class. Could this change now? Everything indicates that this is so.

The S60 will be built at a plant in Charleston, South Carolina, from where it will ship to the rest of the world, including Poland. It was there that the new Volvo S60 was first introduced.

This location of the main plant suggests that Volvo's target is the United States. Will we like it?

More beautiful S90

The Volvo S90 is a very showy car, but more for those who want to travel off-road in something the size of a boat. Its size also affects the proportions, which, while good, seem exaggerated for the S60.

Volvo S60 looks just perfect. He has excellent proportions, but still the same Scandinavian style. It is dynamic, elegant and massive at the same time. It's a matter of taste, but I like it. Highly.

Particularly in the R-Design versions with sporty bumpers, which at the bottom are reminiscent of motorsport bumpers. And in general, it looks amazing ... in the Polestar Engineered version. At the presentation, we had black cars at our disposal, but the Polestar Engineered stands out with gold details. Brake calipers and wheel valve caps are gold. A very successful combination.

Smaller S90

We will find ourselves inside immediately if we have previously sat in some new Volvo. This causes a bit of mixed feelings.

On the one hand, the materials are of excellent quality, the minimalistic design, which is focused on a 10-inch screen, still looks very good, and basically ... can it be made better in a Scandinavian minimalist style?

On the other hand, this is Volvo's sixth model - and I'm not including the V version here - which has almost the same interior as the rest. The first time I was very impressed. Later it became the norm and now we want more.

But from the right perspective, Volvo has designed a really beautiful interior for the XC90 - and it's in the latest S60 as well. Natural materials - wood is wood, aluminum is aluminum and so on. Orrefors crystal shift knobs reappear on hybrids. It's just premium. Eh, I would have forgotten. The Polestar Engineered has an all black interior with gold stripes - that looks great too.

However, if we are talking about practical values, then you definitely cannot complain about the amount of space inside. The front is really comfortable, also thanks to good seats. At the same time, these seats do not take up much space, so you can also sit comfortably in the back.

The luggage compartment holds 392 liters, or 442 liters in terms of the space under the floor. standard for this class.

So far only faster versions

T5, T6 AWD, T8 Twin Engine AWD and T8 Polestar Engineered versions will now be available. When will diesels be added to the offer? Never. The S60 is the first Volvo model not to be offered with diesel engines at all. The move is in line with the current trend of declining popularity of diesel engines.

We tested the T6 AWD version, i.e. with a 2-liter gasoline engine with 310 hp. The maximum torque here is 400 Nm in the range from 2200 to 5100 rpm. This, combined with all-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic transmission, delivers a 100-5,6 mph time of 250 seconds. The maximum speed is XNUMX km/h.

The second car we got to ride was the T8 Polestar Engineered. Here the numbers are even more serious, because the same engine is also supported by an electric motor. Together they generate 405 hp. and 670 Nm. This Polestar accelerates to 100 km / h in just 4,7 seconds.

In Polestar, many elements are adapted to the competitive nature. It has Brembo 6-piston caliper brakes, Ohlins suspension, 19-inch wheels, and electric motor batteries located under the floor, lowering the center of gravity.

Volvo S60 The T8 Polestar Engineered looks beautiful, accelerates very efficiently, brakes well and is a pleasure to drive. The problem, however, is that... it's a hybrid, which means it's much heavier than the T6 version.

And the T6 already rides great, especially through winding canyons. I was under the impression that the T6, despite having less power, was more fun to drive in the corners. Wins less weight.

Each new S60 is designed to be the sportiest car in the Volvo range. It should be attractive, dynamic and just a pleasure to drive. Believe it or not, the S60 stands out on the market in a different way. This is a far-reaching consolation. We get excellent sound insulation of the cabin and a suspension that effectively smooths out bumps.

As a result, even when driving on the highway, we do not feel the speed. It's really very quiet here. And it's middle class!

It is very good

The Volvo S60 is moving in a popular segment and seems to have what it takes to find a lot of customers. It looks great. It has a great modern interior. He knows how to drive fast, but most of all indulges in comfort when driving lazily on motorways.

So what more could you want? Maybe prices because they will eventually check if the offer is competitive. At the moment we have heard the unofficial “look at the A4”. So, will we buy the version with the T4 engine for about 150 zlotys?

We'll find out soon. Car sales in Poland should start at the turn of May and June 2019.