2020 Volvo S60

2020 Volvo S60 is the epitome of Scandinavian design, safety, and performance in a luxury sedan. Designed to compete with the likes of the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4, the S60 presents a refreshing take on the modern sedan via sleek minimalist aesthetics paired up with powerful yet very efficient engine options. With several trims and engine variants available, ranging from turbocharged and supercharged engines, the S60 is sure to provide something for every driving requirement, whether city commuters or just freeway cruisers.

Starting from the outside design, the S60 is elegant enough, with clean lines and aggressive stance, plus that signature “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlight. The exterior color palette ranges from classic Ice White up to Fusion Red, a lot of hue that ensures a distinct look on the road. Its 18-inch alloy wheels add that touch of sportiness to its sophisticated demeanor. Larger wheel options are available for those who want more curb appeal.

Step inside, and the S60 continues to impress with a premium interior that emphasizes comfort and craftsmanship. Leatherette seats come standard, with luxurious Nappa leather available for those who seek a more upscale experience. It will easily seat five passengers, with good room on the front passenger side for larger riders and more-than-adequate legroom under it and above it for long drives. The 9-inch Sensus infotainment touchscreen fills the center console, providing seamless connectivity through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12.3-inch digital driver display keeps the driver informed with customizable information clusters.

Under the hood, the S60 offers a range of powertrains that begin with a turbocharged 2.0L engine and 250 horsepower, paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The more potent T6 variant consists of a supercharger, which bumps the power to 316 horsepower if performance is what you crave. Though all-wheel drive is not a standard fit across all trims, it is available at upper levels, helping keep the car stable and grippy when the going gets rough. Inasmuch as the S60 is a good performer, fuel economy falls into a decent position within its class, with an average of 26 mpg combined.

The very philosophy of the Volvo brand has always strongly been about safety, and the S60 does not miss that point. Eight airbags-which include knee airbags for the driver-for instance-and some of the most advanced driver assistance systems ensure that the S60 ends up being one of the safest in its class, coming standard with features such as lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking.

The S60 is both comfortable and sporty in handling: independent front and multi-link rear suspension make for silky rides over varying surfaces. Ventilated disc brakes ensure confident braking. An electric power-assisted steering set-up is responsive, though it feels a little cumbersome in tight spaces, given the rather larger turning radius the car requires.

The S60 does impress in the infotainment and convenience department, though. The 9-inch Sensus touchscreen interface is intuitive and gets people to the navigation, media, or climate control. There’s also a Harman Kardon premium sound system that helps boost the in-car audio experience available on upper trims. Like every other car, the S60 ditches the CD player but makes up for it with multiple USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, and voice control.

Volvo S60 is one of the best contenders for the luxury sedan segment. Its safety and technology features and blended-in appearance make it a strong contender in refined design with a good dose of Scandinavian style. It does not necessarily make the sportiest drive in class, but it does deliver safety and comfort with style for someone in love with Scandinavian flair.