PROS:
- Clear appears to be like
- Frugal energy
- Nice sound system
CONS:
- Uneven energy supply
- No Android Auto
The present technology S60 is getting a little bit lengthy within the tooth. Launched in 2018 and iterated through the years since, in 2023 it’s all a bit acquainted. That’s very true with a swath of attention-grabbing automobiles beginning to make their approach over the Swedish horizon, electrified choices following within the footsteps of Volvo’s all-electric X40 Recharge and the upcoming EX90.
However, for many who aren’t fairly able to decide to the battery-electric way of life, Volvo’s present plug-in Recharge powertrain, as seen right here on this S60, is a compelling selection. With an estimated 41 miles of vary and 455 horsepower besides, it’s each quick and probably frugal, a no-compromises sedan. Or… few compromises, at the least. Does it get up within the face of newer, brisker opponents, particularly in a market the place the common-or-garden sedan is more and more verboten?
Design
On the model facet, Volvo’s trying to clean up the S60 with what it calls the Black Version. It’s merely however appropriately named, and should you like issues which can be coloured black, you’re going to like this. The automobile is, after all, black, however so too the wheels and the trim and even a lot of the branding
It’s black-on-black to an excessive, to the purpose the place a good friend likened it to Knight Rider. This factor is moderately extra fashionable trying than a 1980’s Pontiac Trans Am, although — even when the present design of the S60 is now turning 5. That’s outdated for a automobile with premium aspirations, the place recent appears to be like are an essential component of status, however that doesn’t change the truth that that is nonetheless an excellent trying automobile.
Although most of the particulars are misplaced within the monochrome stylings, these Thor’s Hammer headlights look nice, located low on the automobile’s steeply angled nostril, both facet of a grille that incorporates a grid-like sample that contrasts properly with the in any other case delicate form of this sedan.
Issues have a generic movement over the entrance fenders earlier than getting attention-grabbing once more with the pronounced creases above the rear wheels, my favourite design cue on the whole machine. Out again, a delicate lip protruding from the trailing fringe of the trunk lid helps add some character to the posterior, whereas the large, daring tail lights proceed the pattern set by the headlights. They’re additionally extremely onerous to overlook, a security function in their very own proper.
Personally, I’ll all the time be extra of a fan of those strains as utilized to the V60 wagon, however I can’t deny this sedan nonetheless appears to be like recent, even when the Black Version makes its most notable shapes quite a bit tougher to identify.
The black-on-black theme continues to the inside, although a few of the brightwork has survived right here to interrupt up what would in any other case be a really monotonous place. The S60’s inside received a little bit of an up-do in 2022 with the introduction of Android Automotive, a really gentle refresh that also appears to be like fairly good. The knurled and polished steel band throughout the dashboard right here highlights the form of the sprint and leads properly to the Bowers & Wilkins speaker grilles embedded on the doorways, although the spotlight is the central tweeter poking out of the center of the sprint. It’s a wonderful sound system and properly definitely worth the $3,200 up-charge.
Leather-based sections lead subtly to textured rubber expanses in an inside that’s usually stuffed with good supplies, solely a small part of dust-magnet piano black plastic surrounding the central shifter cheapening issues up a bit. However, the Orrefors Sweden crystal knob itself nonetheless provides an excellent dose of sophistication to the joint.
Sadly, the drive mode curler knob that previously lived forward of that shifter has gone, which suggests if you wish to go from Hybrid to Energy to Pure to Fixed AWD modes you’ll must go digging right into a sub-menu within the 9-inch touchscreen. That’s a disappointment should you wish to toggle by means of modes as often as I do.
That touchscreen runs Android Automotive, to not be confused with Android Auto. Automotive brings the complete Google expertise proper into the automobile. Sign up and you may instantly set up apps like YouTube Music and Spotify to run natively with or with out your cellphone. What it does it does properly, providing quick access to your deal with e-book, contacts, even calendar appointments so your automobile will most likely know the place you need to go earlier than you even inform it.
Sadly, there’s loads of stuff it nonetheless doesn’t do. App choice continues to be a fraction of what’s obtainable on Android Auto and it simply doesn’t appear to be rising. In the meantime, in-car options just like the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster don’t have practically the breadth of customization nor the depth of accessible data discovered on competing methods.
Android Automotive does pair properly with that gauge cluster and even the heads-up show, so you have got full navigation directions in every single place you look. And, crucially, Google has lastly added Apple CarPlay help, so iPhone customers can have quick access to all their cellphone’s media. Nevertheless, should you’re an Android Consumer, Android Auto continues to be lacking and, together with it, its a whole bunch of appropriate apps.
Transferring again to the extra tangible points of the automobile, entrance seats are eminently snug and customizable, and the warmers constructed into them in addition to into the steering wheel are among the many strongest within the enterprise. Actually a blessing on a cold morning.
Rear seating is barely much less accommodating however nonetheless fairly cozy, with first rate headroom and loads of legroom and, sure, highly effective heaters again right here, too. There’s a small pass-through between the seats for skis or equally skinny cargo, however each seats fold flat on the contact of a button, increasing the S60’s paltry 11.6 cubic ft of cargo capability. That the V60 affords 22.9 with the seats up is yet one more field within the wagon’s favor in my e-book, however should you’re the type who prefers a trunk to a hatch, it’s workable.
Driving Dynamics
The S60 is way from a sports activities automobile however, with 455 hp and 523 pound-feet of torque on faucet, it actually will get up and strikes like one. More often than not, anyway. The powertrain here’s a little difficult. Up entrance you have got a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine making 312 hp by itself. That energy solely goes to the 19-inch entrance wheels, right here wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero tires.
Out again you have got one other, wholly separate powertrain. This can be a 143-hp electrical motor that drives solely the rear wheels. Put the automobile into Pure mode and it’ll pull from the 14.9-kilowatt-hour battery pack to maneuver you silently and emissions-free. Volvo says you will get 41 miles on a cost and I truly did barely higher in my testing, regardless of the chilly this time of yr. That battery prices by way of a level-two charger, so should you make loads of quick journeys and may plug in between them you would be taking a look at an excellent gasoline economic system.
Nevertheless, faucet into the utmost energy delivered by the gasoline engine up entrance and also you’ll most likely be taking a look at one thing nearer to the 30 mpg metropolis, 33 freeway that the EPA charges the S60 T8. In my testing, which included a good bit of all-EV driving tempered by equal quantities of spirited driving, I averaged 35.5 mpg. That’s fairly far for a automobile this heavy with this a lot energy. However once more, you would do quite a bit higher should you’re a frequent charger.
Once more, this can be a difficult powertrain and on the highway it sadly feels a bit difficult. In EV-only Pure mode the automobile truly has good torque and in all fairness fast, solely feeling flat whenever you rise up to freeway speeds. Put the automobile into Energy mode and issues get moderately extra vigorous. The engine fires up and also you get most energy and responsiveness.
The final word energy on this mode may be very robust, however the supply nonetheless leaves a bit to be desired. At decrease speeds, when the engine’s eight-speed transmission is in a decrease gear, the automobile surges ahead easily and powerfully. However, generally you catch that transmission within the improper gear. Put your foot down and also you get a fast kick of torque from the electrical motor. Then, every little thing appears to pause because the transmission drops just a few cogs and the gasoline engine joins the get together unfashionably late. For the motive force it’s a clumsy feeling. For the passengers, it’s downright nauseating.
You possibly can study to drive round it with a little bit bit of additional care, not not like coping with a automobile with a laggy turbo, but it surely additionally impacts the dealing with. When pushing by means of a nook, getting on the throttle aggressively may end up in both the entrance or the rear dropping grip first relying on which drivetrain has extra torque to supply first.
The core dealing with of the automobile, although, is actually fairly tractable. There’s a good bit of physique roll, no shock given the 4,425-pound curb weight, however these Pirelli don’t quit their grip simply. Total, the S60 affords an excellent steadiness of snug cruising with simply sufficient engagement in dealing with to maintain issues enjoyable.
For quieter occasions, there two different drive modes: Hybrid which is what the automobile falls over to when the battery cost is depleted, and Fixed AWD, which ensures you’ll have each powertrains working collectively. That is very helpful for making certain dependable habits in low-grip conditions like snow or ice.
Pricing and Choices
A base Volvo S60 Recharge Core begins at $52,345. What you’re taking a look at right here, although, is an Final spec automobile with the Black Version package deal. The Final spec provides key options like Volvo’s Pilot Help energetic security system, together with adaptive cruise, plus niceties just like the heads-up show and 360 digital camera. The Black Version begins at $57,950, although the black paint itself is one other $695 on prime of that. Add $3,200 for that Bowers & Wilkins sound system, $750 for the local weather package deal (which heats the steering wheel, rear seats, and washer nozzles), plus a $1,095 vacation spot cost, and you’ve got an out-the-door worth of $63,690.
To me, the notion of getting a Volvo with out all of the active-safety options could be an odd one, so I’d recommend stepping up at the least to the Plus. The $2,700 premium over the Core provides Pilot Help and the 360 digital camera. However, if in case you have the funds you’ll be able to step all the best way as much as the $69,225 Polestar Engineered taste, with higher suspension and higher brakes.
The S60 Recharge’s worth candy spot is certainly nearer to Plus than Polestar, however you do you. No matter taste, you’re getting a fantastic driving, nice trying, and naturally extremely secure sedan that can serve you properly till you’re prepared to leap over to affix the EV way of life.