The newest automotive on Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) modular structure, the 2019 S60 sedan, as soon as once more proves that the Swedish automaker is aware of precisely what to place right into a luxurious sedan — and precisely what to depart out. The result’s a automotive that is extremely simple to reside with and hard to select fault with.Easy on the eyesVolvo’s attraction begins with its understated design. With clear panels and easy, straight strains, the S60 cuts a hanging form. Bold mild parts at both finish add extra visible affect and look particularly incredible in the dead of night. And with its wheels (19-inchers within the case of my R-Design tester) pushed towards the ends of the physique, the S60 has a really athletic stance on the street.
The cabin is likewise an easy affair, with virtually no buttons anyplace to be seen. There are however just a few materials varieties and shapes all through the inside, however all of them are nice to behold and beautiful to the contact. Stitched leather-based, drilled-metal Bowers & Wilkins speaker grilles and brushed metallic trim are particularly good touches on my take a look at automotive. Visibility is superb in all instructions due to the tall, upright seating place, in addition to slim pillars and large home windows all spherical.Special be aware should go to the Volvo’s seats. I drive a variety of completely different automobiles and it is at all times notable whether or not I can discover a comfy place instantly or fiddle with the seat for the primary half hour behind the wheel. The S60 falls into the previous camp, with gorgeously designed, properly bolstered leather-based chairs which are effortlessly supportive and comfy. I do not recall as soon as adjusting the seat once more to remain comfy, which is excessive reward from a fidget like myself.Comfortable seats make journeys each brief and lengthy simple.
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Not that second-row passengers have a lot to complain about, as there’s ample headroom for normal adults and good, if not distinctive, legroom; my toes simply tuck below the entrance seats. The vast trunk is rated at 11.0 cubic toes of cupboard space, and you’ll fold down the again seats for extra carrying capability. That’s not best-in-class house, although if you really want to move a variety of stuff you can purchase the Volvo V60 station wagon as an alternative.How it drivesThe T6 badge on the trunklid signifies that my take a look at automotive has a turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, in addition to normal all-wheel drive. The engine delivers 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet by means of an eight-speed computerized transmission. What’s most spectacular about this powertrain is its unbelievable flexibility. The engine serves up torque throughout its whole rev vary with little hesitation and the automated downshifts promptly and easily. Cut-and-thrust maneuvers in site visitors take no second thought in any respect.It’s additionally notable how nicely Volvo has quelled NVH — noise, vibration and harshness — within the S60 T6. When I first drove the T6 engine a number of years in the past in an XC90 crossover, it sounded strained and despatched quantity of vibration into the cabin. But this S60 take a look at automotive stays quiet and calm within the cabin, even when exploiting all the automotive’s efficiency with the Drive Mode dial switched to Dynamic.The S60 encompasses a twist button to begin the automotive, plus a rotating knob to vary driving modes.
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A delight to drive, the S60 has extremely pure and well-judged management weights; there is not any studying curve to driving it as a result of it follows your inputs so obediently. Ride high quality and high-speed stability are proper up there with the Volvo’s German rivals. Though very responsive and many fast, the S60 just isn’t fairly so thrilling to drive arduous as a BMW or a Mercedes — however frankly, most luxury-car prospects should not chasing lap instances. The Volvo’s steadiness of luxurious and sportiness is best suited to on a regular basis driving.With my mortgage occurring in January, I had ample likelihood to evaluate the Volvo’s winter suitability, too. The all-wheel-drive system handles snowy roads ably and even delivers an entertaining quantity of energy oversteer within the white stuff; the manufacturing facility Michelin MXM4 all-season rubber is sweet however not nice in snow. The heated seats and heated steering wheel are very welcome choices on chilly mornings — although ready for the touchscreen besides earlier than I might allow them was irritating.
Despite EPA gasoline economic system scores of 21 miles per gallon metropolis, 32 mpg freeway and 25 mpg mixed, I used to be slightly upset to report 21 mpg over every week of blended driving. Anecdotally, most Roadshow editors have had bother matching the EPA figures in real-world use with Volvos. Maybe we’re simply leadfoots. For those that want to save lots of gasoline, the S60’s base, 250-horsepower engine selection is rated for 24/36 mpg, and Volvo may even supply its T8 plug-in hybrid powertrain on this sedan.The T6 engine packs each a turbocharger and a supercharger.
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Plentiful expertiseThe S60 makes use of the identical 9-inch, portrait-style Sensus touchscreen infotainment system as different new Volvos, which suggests we have the identical reward and complaints right here as in different fashions. On the one hand, the high-contrast graphics are simply legible at a look whereas driving, and the onscreen interface is easy to grasp. On the opposite hand, even with a brand new, sooner chipset, the system can take its candy time loading, and a few primary workaday in-car capabilities are buried within the menu construction. Play round with the system to make up your thoughts about it earlier than committing to purchasing.
More particularly, the Sensus interface consists of a central dwelling display with tiles displaying navigation, music and phone-calling info; faucet each to broaden it. The bottom-most tile modifications relying on what app you’ve got used most not too long ago: It might be Apple AutomobilePlay or Android Auto, as an example, or journey info, automobile standing or one of many a number of built-in web apps like Yelp and Spotify. Swipe one approach to get automobile settings — e.g. disable stop-start or change a number of the security settings — and swipe the opposite approach to leap between the aforementioned apps or music enter sources.There are two USB ports up entrance, hidden within the small-ish heart console cubby, however no wi-fi telephone charging. The again seat has its personal heated-seat and climate-control buttons however does not supply any USB ports, which is a little bit of a bummer for those who’ve obtained gadget-obsessed passengers there.The normal infotainment system has plenty of built-in capabilities.
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An non-obligatory 12.3-inch coloration instrument cluster rounds out the tech complement, providing a navigation map show between digital recreations of an analog tachometer and speedometer. Though there are some primary music, telephone and navigation menus out there on the cluster, in addition to pace restrict and different street signal warnings, it does not have as many capabilities as, say, Audi’s Virtual Cockpit or Mercedes’ newest digital clusters. A coloration head-up show supplies extra driving info proper in my sightline.No trendy Volvo can be full and not using a huge listing of security applied sciences, and this S60 isn’t any exception: precollision braking, lane-keep help, blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, self-parking and a 360-degree digital camera. If it detects it’s about to be rear-ended, the Volvo may even tighten the seat belts and apply the automotive’s brakes; for those who weave throughout a lane line when there’s oncoming site visitors, the S60 will steer you again to security. And, after all, there’s the Pilot Assist semiautonomous help, which might steer the automotive inside its lane (supplied you retain your fingers resting on the wheel) when utilizing the cruise management on the freeway.The sedan seems to be hanging from each angle.
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How I would spec itFor all that I raved in regards to the immediacy and energy of the T6 engine, I would most likely equip my Volvo S60 with the T5 mill. It’s nonetheless loads highly effective however returns higher fuel-economy scores. That does imply sticking with front-wheel drive moderately than AWD, however I might at all times simply equip winter tires if I wanted extra cold-weather traction. But I’d, as with my take a look at automotive, decide the R-Design trim degree due to its sportier and sharper seems to be. Before choices, a T5 R-Design would set me again a decent $43,540.Overall, pricing for the 2019 Volvo S60 roughly mirrors the competitors, with the bottom T5 Momentum itemizing from $36,795 and a T8 Inscription itemizing from $56,395, with vacation spot however earlier than choices. It’s additionally value noting you possibly can “subscribe” by means of the Care By Volvo program, which begins at $750 per thirty days for a Momentum trim degree and $850 for the Inscription.Living with the 2019 Volvo S60 feels a bit like sitting down for lunch with an previous buddy: Everything simply works and is pure, no negotiation or clarification wanted. It seems to be incredible on the street, drives will all the arrogance and maturity you can need and is filled with expertise to maintain you entertained and secure. Even extra so than its predecessor, the 2019 Volvo S60 has what it takes to compete towards the German compact-luxury sedan crowd.
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