Volvo S60 2019 Review – Australia

The last Volvo S60 disappeared from Australian showrooms in 2018. Its US-built replacement is all-new and based on Volvo’s much-touted Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) that underpins all models from the 60 series upwards.

In Australia the new Volvo S60 comes in two drivetrain and three trim level, the latter being Momentum, Inscription and R-Design.

The two drivetrains are T5 and T8. The T5 comprises a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine mated to an eight-speed auto and all-wheel drive.

As a Momentum or Inscription it makes 187kW/350Nm; as an R-Design with ‘Polestar optimisation’ – Polestar being both Volvo’s performance tuner and EV brand – it climbs to 192kW/400Nm.

Pricing starts at $54,990 for the Momentum, which is forecast to claim 50 per cent of sales, climbs to $60,990 for the Inscription and tops out at $64,990 for the R-Design (all plus on-road costs).

The T8 only comes in R-Design trim and is priced at $85,990. A plug-in hybrid, it sits a 2.0-litre turbocharged and supercharged petrol engine under the bonnet and a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor on the rear axle to deliver all-wheel drive. A second electric motor up front acts as integrated starter-generator and can also boost the engine.

Total combined outputs are a hefty 311kWkW/670Nm and Volvo claims a 4.3-second time for the 0-100km/h dash. Again, this output has been optimised by Polestar, pushing it up from the standard 300kW and 640Nm via software changes to the engine tune.

Volvo will also add a T8 ‘Engineered by Polestar’ flagship that won’t boost engine outputs any further but will include Ohlins shocks and other “stuff”. It’s a new model already added to the XC60 line-up.

Standard safety equipment across the line-up includes semi-autonomous Pilot Assist, low- and high-speed autonomous emergency braking (AEB), Volvo’s unique run-off road protection and mitigation, cross traffic alert with blind spot information and lane keeping aid.

Momentum key features include 17-inch wheels, Volvo’s signature 9.0-inch centre touch-screen, park assist front and rear, adaptive cruise control, keyless-entry and hands-free boot, LED headlights, pollutant and particle filtering ‘Clean Zone’ dual-zone climate control, leather trim and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.

The Inscription swaps to 19-inch wheels and four-zone climate control, and adds a head-up display, 360-degree camera, automated parking, active bending capability to its LED headlights, interior ambient lighting, heated front seats and cushion extensions.

Volvo S60 T5 R-Design attractions include a different 19-inch wheel design, the active Four-C chassis with adaptive dampers, gearshift paddles and different leather seats.

The Volvo S60 T8 R-Design does not get the Four-C Chassis, making do with a passive set-up. It also misses out on the temporary spare tyre found in the boot of the T5s.

The Volvo S60 comes with a three-year/unlimited km warranty and its launch coincides with a new, far more price competitive capped-price three-year/45,000km serving offer from Volvo. The cost is $1595, down from $2795 previously.

By the way, if you prefer a wagon then the new Volvo V60 will be along soon. It’s a bit more dollars but basically the same model line-up.

For this launch drive Volvo only rolled out R-Design S60s, so there was no chance to test the bigger-selling lesser T5s with their lower engine outputs and passive suspensions. We would have appreciated the opportunity.

The Volvo S60 T5 R-Design is an interesting combination of traditional Volvo refinement and the taut sportiness of its German rivals. And that means it feels a little confused in the driving.

Yes, it’s quiet and yes it’s got a lovely welcoming interior, albeit in a very 21st century way thanks to that rather imposing touch-screen in the centre stack.

But there’s a harshness to the ride in comfort mode that is distinctly un-Volvo. It even gets brittle at low speed around town.

Dial up to ‘Polestar Engineered’ mode – ‘dynamic’ to you and me (more bloody Polestar confusion!) – and a bumpy road becomes distinctly uncomfortable. Accompanying that is some bump-thump from both the front and rear suspension and tyres. It feels like there’s a mode missing here.

The pay-off comes in body control and handling balance. Rolling on Conti PremiumConttact rubber, it feels more lithe than its 1767kg tare weight claim. The S60 hunkers down into corners, turns in neatly and tracks reliably.

There’s even some steering feel from the electro-mechanical rack-and-pinion system. Yep, you read that right. Weighting remains light whatever the mode, which is preferable to bicep-developing heft.

Drivetrain performance is solidly strong. The engine displays a little lag here and there, but for the most part is smooth, responsive and has more than enough overtaking and hill-conquering urge.

Volvo claims a 6.3sec 0-100km/h time for the T5 R-Design and if anything it felt slightly quicker than that. We’ll reserve judgement on the 7.3L/100km fuel consumption claim until we get a T5 on the test fleet.

There is little if any audio to go with this strong engine performance, nor much need to go for manual changes via lever or paddles given the eight-speed Geartronic auto is a pretty smart operator.

So what of the Volvo S60 T8? More comfortable, that bit faster and – of course – that bit more expensive too.

Admittedly the T8 portion of the drive program was less dynamically challenging, but the roads were still rough and it was clear it had been set up to better absorb the frequent corruptions of Aussie highways and byways. Again, considering the performance potential of the drivetrain it seemed a slightly odd mix.

The T8 drivetrain really is a complex thing. Sitting lengthways between front and rear axle is a 10.4kWh lithium-ion battery that Volvo claims can provide up to 50km of pure electric running. The T8 can also roll purely on petrol, or use a mix of both petrol and electricity. All-wheel drive can be guaranteed at the flick of a switch.

Coming back into Adelaide peak-hour traffic at the end of our drive was a perfect time to test electric range. Having locked in to charge mode on the highway there was a claimed 13km of ‘Pure’ (electric-only) mode available.

In the end, with a bit of recharging along the way, we got 15km. The engine did kick in a couple of times under hard acceleration, but for the most part it was silent running.

Speaking of acceleration, the Volvo S60 T8 doesn’t feel as fast as it’s claimed to be. It is strong but it also weighs just over two tonnes.

And the 2.0L/100km fuel consumption claim is theoretical stuff. We were averaging in the sevens, which is still pretty good for a big, swift sedan like this.

And speaking of big, there’s no doubt the Volvo S60 is sizable by the standards of this segment. It’s bigger than the new G20 BMW 3 Series and dwarfs the aforementioned C-class.

That means there’s no shortage of space for two adults in the rear seat – three at a squeeze. But the boot is a disappointment with as little as 390 litres on offer.

It does expand via a ski-port or when the split-fold bench is dropped. Interior storage is also a bit on the shy side, emphasised by things like shallow door pockets.

The front seats are obviously partitioned by a high centre console and the touch-screen is tilted slightly toward the driver. There’s not too many buttons and dials to operate, with most functions on-call through the screen.

The instrument panel is also digital, but does its best to look analogue. Key information such as battery range is tucked away unobtrusively. It should be more prominent.

The Volvo S60 is started and stopped via a jewelled knob that’s turned right to complete either function. Different. The drive mode roller is similarly ornate.

Meshed metals, stitched leather and piano black give the Volvo S60 R-Design a classy feel. That’s backed up by supportive seats and chunky steering wheel that adjusts for reach and rake.

Well I dunno if the premium sedan segment is “dull”, but there’s no doubt the Volvo S60 will liven things up. It’s great value as a T5 and still decent as a T8. On top of that the T8 is a technically fascinating piece of kit.

To drive, both R-Designs felt slightly misjudged in character, but undeniably improved from the previous generation in multiple ways. It’s going to be fascinating to test the base model Momentum and see how that compares.

Far from just sticking a toe in, there’s enough here to expect VCA will get 400 buyers – maybe more – to take the plunge on the new Volvo S60.

How much does the Volvo S60 T5 R-Design cost?
Price: $64,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 192kW/400Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.3L/100km
CO2: 167g/km
Safety rating: N/A

How much does the Volvo S60 T8 R-Design cost?
Price: $85,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged and supercharged petrol, permanent magnet synchronous electric motor
Output: 311kWkW/670Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 2.0L/100km
CO2: 46g/km
Safety rating: N/A