A small boot, engaging handling, and no diesel engines. When you hear that combination, Volvo is probably not the first brand that comes to mind. Yet the Swedes have surprised us with arguably the best compact sports sedan they have ever made – the third generation of the Volvo S60!
Design
Volvo’s current design language first appeared with the second-generation XC90 more than four years ago. It marked a new era for the brand (alongside the change in ownership) and proved to be the right formula for success, judging by the company’s global sales growth.
What’s interesting is that with each new model and the subtle evolution of details, this design becomes more refined, more balanced, and simply more beautiful. In my opinion, the S60 is currently the most attractive model in Volvo’s lineup.
Up front, we see the familiar layout that is unmistakably Volvo. The headlights play a key role here, with their clean yet distinctive shape, complemented by the signature T-shaped LED daytime running lights. At the rear, the design echoes the larger S90, but with a slightly more aggressive presence, fitting for the car’s segment.
I have to admit, it took me some time to get used to the rear end – particularly the “frowning” line of the taillights, which contrasts with the boot lid in a somewhat unusual way. After a while, however, I came to appreciate the result. Still, I suspect this will remain a polarising detail.
What impressed me most – and what clearly sets the S60 apart in its class – is the side profile. The proportions are close to perfect: a short front overhang, a long bonnet, and a compact rear. Altogether, it reminds me of the benchmark in this segment – the BMW 3 Series – with the difference that I personally prefer the detailing of the S60.
Interior
One of the areas where the S60 truly shines is the interior. I’ve often admired the design and build quality across Volvo’s current range – from the warm luxury of the V90 to the crystal gear selector in T8-powered models.
At first glance, the dashboard of the S60 looks almost identical to that of the XC60. The design is clean and minimalistic, dominated by elegant air vents and, of course, the large central infotainment screen. Personally, I like this layout a lot, especially in configurations with light leather and wooden trim. The test car’s black interior with metal accents, while tasteful, doesn’t fully reveal the cabin’s potential.
What stands out the most are the details – the metallic and glossy buttons that add a premium touch, along with the traditionally very comfortable Volvo seats.
Of course, not everything is perfect. There are some minor drawbacks, such as the narrow door pockets in both rows. Rear space is also somewhat limited – the seat is positioned relatively low, which affects seating comfort despite adequate knee room. That said, a low rear bench is quite common in this segment.
The Sensus infotainment system also feels slightly dated. Its graphics and responsiveness are still excellent, but navigating through the menus isn’t particularly intuitive. I also continue to dislike the lack of physical controls for temperature adjustment – everything goes through the touchscreen, which isn’t ideal while driving.
One highlight of the test car’s configuration was the Harman Kardon Premium Sound system with 14 speakers and 600W output. Priced at approximately €840, it’s worth every cent. In fact, I believe it makes the top-tier Bowers & Wilkins system – with its 19 speakers and 1400W, costing around €3,300 – somewhat unnecessary. The more affordable option delivers more than enough quality, even for demanding listeners.
On the road
The Volvo S60 is the first model from the brand to completely abandon diesel engines. That alone makes things interesting, as it guarantees that the test car will have some serious power under the bonnet.
And it does. On a pleasant day, I found myself at Volvo’s new dealership complex, picking up the keys to a Volvo S60 T5 R-Design. The only slightly disappointing detail is that “T5” no longer means a five-cylinder engine, but rather a version of Volvo’s modular four-cylinder, 2.0-litre unit. Here, it produces 250 hp and 350 Nm, sending power to the front wheels (AWD is available) via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 6.5 seconds, while top speed is 240 km/h. Official combined fuel consumption is rated at 6.6 l/100 km.
From the very first metres, the car reminded me of another Volvo I drove some time ago – the previous-generation S60 with the Polestar package. And yes, it rides quite firmly. Not as stiff as the Polestar version, but still firmer than I expected. This is due to the sport suspension, lowered by 15 mm, that comes with the R-Design trim. At the moment, there’s no adaptive suspension available, so those seeking more comfort should look towards the Inscription trim.
Since this was a Friday afternoon, I quickly found myself stuck in traffic – a perfect opportunity to test the Pilot Assist system. It keeps the car centred in its lane, adjusts speed, and can even bring it to a complete stop. Activation is simple, and the system works well in slow-moving traffic. For short stops, the car sets off automatically, while longer stops require a slight press of the accelerator.
It’s convenient, no doubt, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it – and I’ll explain why shortly.
After finally escaping the city, I headed towards Pancharevo and then Borovets. The S60 eagerly dives into corners, instantly reminding me of the segment leader in handling – the Alfa Romeo Giulia. The Volvo isn’t quite at that level, but it’s not far off. In fact, this is easily the best-driving Volvo I’ve experienced. At times, you even forget it’s front-wheel drive – power delivery is very effective, there’s no torque steer, and the steering feels quick and direct.
Volvo has finally delivered a car whose handling doesn’t fall noticeably behind the best in the class.
That said, a few weaknesses did become apparent. The car is noisier than I would like, especially when it comes to road noise. It’s more pronounced than expected for this price range and noticeably higher compared to rivals like the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Jaguar XE, or Infiniti Q50.
The following day, I continued with a drive to Panichishte. On the winding mountain road, the S60 further cemented its position as a genuinely sporty sedan. The engine, gearbox, and steering work in perfect harmony – it’s a very enjoyable car to drive.
I finished the journey on the Lyulin motorway, where I once again activated Pilot Assist. The issue is that the system occasionally makes mistakes – for example, drifting out of the lane in sharper bends, which is far from reassuring. You still need to stay alert at all times. And if you have to stay alert, why not just drive the car yourself?
Moreover, Pilot Assist is part of the Intellisafe Pro package, priced at around €1,735 – money that could arguably be better spent elsewhere.
In general, I find that even adaptive cruise control can sometimes be more of a hindrance than a help. It tends to slow the car just as you’re preparing to overtake, and it doesn’t always behave as intuitively as you’d expect.
Let me end on a more positive note – the wipers. Volvo integrates the washer nozzles directly into the wiper blades, which is a brilliant solution. It improves cleaning efficiency, eliminates temporary loss of visibility, and reduces fluid consumption. It’s a rare but genuinely clever feature.
As for fuel consumption, I achieved an average of 9.4 l/100 km over the entire test period. This included plenty of spirited driving and idling. In more typical conditions, you could easily lower that by about a litre. In an economy-focused run, I even managed 5.4 l/100 km – proving that efficiency largely depends on your right foot.
Conclusion
The S60 is yet another Volvo that left a strong impression on me. It’s the best compact sports sedan the Swedes have produced in recent memory. The car combines distinctive design and excellent proportions with a high-quality interior and, most importantly, genuinely enjoyable driving dynamics.
Its weaker points include the overly firm suspension in R-Design trim and slightly higher noise levels compared to the best in the class.
I believe this is a car for individualists – people looking for an engaging daily driver with elegant, understated design.
For now, the model is offered only in the higher trim levels – R-Design and Inscription – with prices starting at approximately €42,000. I expect a more affordable Momentum version to arrive soon.
Eng. Tsvetan Iliev
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