Volvo S60 first drive : Stunning Swede « New and Used Car Listings

Volvo S60 first drive : Stunning Swede

 Volvo has dramatically changed as a carmaker, and all for the better. It’s no more just a brand married to safety; it’s now associated with beautiful automobiles, vehicles one would love to drive and own. The transformation began with the handsome XC60 city centric SUV, which is now widely regarded as the best in its segment. But, now with its new sedan, one that competes against the likes of the Audi A4, the BMW 3-series and the Mercedes-Benz C-class, the S60, Volvo has proven that it’s not just ready to compete with the big Germans, but beat them at their game. We drove both the petrol and diesel version of the S60.

Highlights:

The S60 comes with the option of two engines – a petrol and a diesel – and both are stunning performers.

The 3-litre, six cylinder petrol is a turbocharged engine that makes 304bhp and 440Nm of torque. The 2.4-litre, five cylinder diesel meanwhile makes 205bhp and 420Nm of torque.

The S60 is available in two trim levels for the diesel, Kinetic and Summum while the petrol is only sold in the Summum trim.

Even in Kinetic trim, the S60 is loaded with features with the Summum along with the options on offer, eclipses not just its immediate competition, but cars in higher segment as well in terms of features, be it comfort, safety or technology.

The S60 is easily the best looking car one can buy in its segment. It’s modern looking, has a lovely mix of curves and squared off lines that give it both a luxury and sporty aura. You still can’t mistake it for anything else but a Volvo, but a Volvo that clearly belongs to a younger, style conscious generation.

Inside too, the feel of luxury is omnipresent. In the Summum trim we drove, the insides are dominated by colours like ash black and beige with a good dose of matt finished aluminium all round. There’s lots of leather too donning the seats and door trim and various textures. It all adds up to give the S60 a touch a class missing in the competition. The S60’s interiors are easily the most inviting in its class, as well.

To boot, it’s packed with features. Besides the safety equipment we have already seen on the XC60 like lane departure warning, emergency brake assist, rain sensing wipers, stability program driver alert system and many others, it also gets adaptive cruise control that works from 0kmph-200kmph! The S60 has a lot of comfort equipment too. 

There’s keyless entry and start, electrically adjustable front seats, a two zone climate control with AC vents for rear passengers, a high-end stereo with fantastic output and Bluetooth connectivity as well.

The only area where the S60 fails to lead the competition when seated inside is the space on offer. The kneeroom in particular isn’t as good, as say the 3-series. But, the seats are comfy; these are large, cushy and well supportive.