Volvo S60 R Design Video Review

Vehicle Finder
News
Reviews
Vehicle Types
Comment
Advice
Car Culture
Car Compare
Video
Podcasts

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Car Review: 2021 Volvo S60 T5 R-Design

With gorgeous styling, smart packaging, and an innovative powertrain, it's giving the Germans something to worry about

Apr 20, 2021 • May 5, 2021 • 5 minute read • Join the conversation

2021 Volvo S60 T5 R Design - Exterior - Front 3Q Photo by Sami Haj-Assaad

When it comes to the most popular tier of European luxury automakers, we tend to think of Audi, Mercedes and BMW, with the likes of Jaguar, Alfa Romeo and Volvo slipping the mind of most shoppers. But thanks to a revitalized lineup, Volvo has plenty to keep the top names in this industry on alert, demonstrated in the entry-level sedan, the 2021 Volvo S60 .

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

From a distance, the S60 has a traditional three-box design, something that wouldn't stand out, but as you walk closer, you pick up on all the niceties, the details that make the S60 worthy in the world of luxury sedans.

First Look: 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge
Car Review: 2021 Genesis G70

The novelties start with the design, and the Swedish automaker is in a class of its own . Clean and subtle, though far from conservative, the exterior flair is kicked up a notch with the eye-catching "Thor's Hammer" headlights . While plenty of automakers have signature lighting elements, the sideways T-shaped shine from Volvo's illuminators is elegant, especially compared with other automakers' attempts to stand out (see: humongous, eye-searingly ugly BMW grilles and tacky illuminated Mercedes grilles ).

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

There are practically zero accent lines to interrupt the design, and Volvo avoids going big with the grille to exaggerate a sporting pedigree with this R-Design trim model. Multi-spoke wheels help the vehicle look speedy when at a standstill, but that's a trick used throughout the industry.

Volvo's design team demonstrates skill with the S60 interior, where restraint and minimal strokes lead to an attractive cabin. With a limited amount of physical buttons and knobs, you have more space to enjoy the textured metal accents and contrast white stitching. Volvo ensures the dashboard isn't cluttered with a million buttons and instead makes only the most crucial items like media controls a physical entity to operate. Everything else is relegated to the large vertical touchscreen, which comes with its own set of pros and cons.

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

This infotainment system has a smartly laid-out home screen. However, getting access to other controls, like safety features and driving aids requires a lateral swipe on the screen, only to be greeted with plenty of tiny on-screen buttons that are hard to judge while on the go. This is one area Volvo has to improve, as even the digital gauge cluster has some finicky hard-to-understand and small details, which detract from what should be an above-average user interface.

Fortunately, the seats are among the best in the business , so long as you prefer sturdy, supportive thrones compared to soft, plushy, coddling ones. They stand up to the rigours of a long road trip, leaving you feeling fresh when you arrive at some far-off destination, and they'll also keep you well centred when driving with vigour on a windy back road.

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

In the R-Design trim, the S60 presents itself as the sporty type, with all the visual cues to support the suggestion. The large intakes in the front fascia, sporty bucket seats in the front seats, and an innovative engine under the hood all add up. That 2.0-litre four-cylinder is force-fed air two ways : a turbocharger bumps up the boost for extra power, and there's a supercharger to mitigate the laggy low-end throttle feel. The result is 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, though it feels far more impressive than those numbers indicate.

FOR IN-DEPTH EV NEWS & ANALYSIS TUNE IN TO OUR PLUGGED-IN PODCAST

The jolt off the line is accompanied by a bassy soundtrack, and the eight-speed automatic transmission times the gear-changes well, in both normal commuting conditions and when driving aggressively. In the past, I've been critical of jerky or juddering shifts, but that seems resolved. There are also paddle shifters in the R-Design model for those after more immediate shifts. It's a satisfactory experience, and it doesn't feel as though Volvo limits the output or short-shifts to reduce high fuel consumption.

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

According to the feds, the S60 should return 10.8 litres per 100 km in the city, 7.2L/100 km on the highway and a combined 9.2 litres per 100 km, which is average. Those looking for better fuel consumption habits will need to go easier on the throttle, or opt for one of Volvo's plug-in hybrid Recharge branded models.

The ride is as refined and enjoyable as any of the other vehicles in this class. Steering is a bit light at low speeds, making it easy to navigate parking lots, but still feels sturdy at higher speeds, providing that right feeling of confidence worthy of a high-end car.

Adding to that, the S60 is packed with features. Our tester included the Climate Package, which adds a trio of heated features: rear seats, steering wheel and windscreen washers are all warmed up and ready when the mercury drops. The vehicle also included the Advance Package which adds a head-up display, wireless phone charger, 360-degree parking camera and a feature called Pilot Assist, which combines adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping into one smooth operating driver assistance feature.

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Naturally, the car is loaded with safety gear, this is Volvo after all. There is front and rear collision mitigation, parking assists, blind-spot monitoring, and advanced headlights that swivel and turn with the vehicle to illuminate where it's heading.

The infotainment system includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, for those looking for a more familiar interface, and our tester was equipped with the high-end Bowers and Wilkens sound system, which has plenty of effects to showcase and bring out the atmosphere or mood of your music.

With its slick style, potent powerplant, fancy features and its confident cruising cadence, shoppers shouldn't overlook the Volvo for one of the other more established names in the world of luxury vehicles. Volvo's pricing may help to draw new customers in, with the S60 starting at $45,250 for front-wheel-drive models, while all-wheel-drive models start at $47,600. Our R-Design model starts at $52,350, while the extra options bumped the price up to $62,450, not including the $2,015 freight charge. Entry-level BMW and Mercedes start at the $50,000 mark (or more) with that price increasing steadily as buyers add more options.

Although Volvo lacks the brand recognition of its European rivals, it's subtly improved its product portfolio over the past few years. With attractive styling inside and out, an adequate level of performance and motoring confidence, and competitive pricing, the S60 should be on the shortlist of those seeking a superb entry-level luxury sedan.

By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300