2020 Volvo S60 Review: Safety and Technology in Elegant Design
Volvo has long been synonymous with safety and security. Since my childhood, their advertisements have heavily emphasized this aspect. Recently, Volvo cars have seen significant advancements in design and technology, positioning the S60 as a direct competitor to:
Let me introduce you to the 2020 Volvo S60 and everything it has to offer.
Design
Let's see how the Volvo S60 compares to these German competitors. Like its rivals in this segment, the S60 features a clear design language that combines the elegance of European cars with a hint of sportiness. However, it's safe to say that this sporty character is more pronounced in BMW and Audi vehicles.
Enhancing this sporty character is Volvo's R-Design package, which can be likened to Audi's S-line. This package includes:
- Black front bumper and grille.
- 18-inch matte black alloy wheels.
- Gloss black trim around the windows instead of chrome.
- Integrated exhaust outlets in the rear bumper design.
The most distinctive feature of the S60's design is its daytime running lights, known as "Thor's Hammer," which make it easily recognizable on the road.
Boot Space
The Volvo S60 offers a boot space of 442 liters and features a lock that can be opened with the key or hands-free, even though it's a manual boot lid rather than an electric one. In comparison:
- Smaller than the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4.
- Larger than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Another notable feature of the Volvo is a button on the top of the boot lid that locks the car doors when the boot is closed.
Interior
Let’s start with the interior of the S60, which is a key highlight. The key itself is made of metal and covered with leather, matching the color of the seats. Volvo also allows for a wood finish to cover the key, reflecting Swedish culture.
As is customary with Volvo, a small Swedish flag is still present on the edges of the seats.
The interior design follows a unified design language across all Volvo models, characterized by luxury and modernity. The quality of materials used is impressive, with high-quality materials found throughout, such as:
- Metal accents on the air conditioning vent control knob.
- Volume control button and drive mode selector knob.
- Engine start button.
The most notable feature is the metal mesh insert at the top of the dashboard and the console covers, which is part of the R-Design package.
Technology and Comfort
The cabin features a 9-inch vertical touch screen that provides an integrated navigation system, Bluetooth mobile connectivity, and support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The information display is simple, making it easy to adapt to its use.
Most vehicle settings are controlled from the screen, including the four-zone automatic climate control system.
With the R-Design package, the driver receives a 12.3-inch display, a head-up display, and a uniquely designed leather steering wheel.
The rear space is excellent, surpassing its competitors due to a longer wheelbase. The rear climate control system is equipped with buttons for adjustment and additional vents on the pillars.
Safety
The Volvo S60 is equipped with four cameras offering a 360-degree view around the vehicle, along with sensors and radar monitoring everything around it. It also includes:
- Blind-spot monitoring.
- Lane departure warning.
- Passenger protection structure.
- Surround airbags for occupants.
The S60 features a road departure monitoring system that operates above 65 km/h, intervening by steering and braking to safely guide the vehicle back on track.
Performance
With a 2.0-liter turbocharged T5 engine, the S60 offers commendable acceleration for a car in this segment, producing 254 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque, coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Nonetheless, Volvo's German competitors may provide a more engaging driving experience, though the S60 excels in sound insulation and offers excellent suspension.
Unfortunately, Volvo does not deliver a strong sense of driving enjoyment, but it remains an excellent choice for families.
Price of the Volvo S60
The price of the Volvo S60 in the version I tested is AED 179,900, including tax.
Although the Volvo S60 has been in the market for around 20 years, it remains quite rare on our streets, reflecting its uniqueness and exclusivity.
