Test Car Specifications
Model: 2023 Volvo S60 Recharge Ultimate T8 AWD
Price: From £57,270
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol plus 107kW electric motor
Transmission: eight-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Battery: 18.8kWh
Power: 455hp
Torque: 400Nm
Emissions: 16-25g/km
Economy: 256.8-403.54mpg
Range: 46-58 miles
0-62mph: 4.6 seconds
Top speed: 112mph
Boot space: 391 litres
Styling
Interior
As with the exterior, the S60's cabin hasn't changed all that much since the car was introduced, but then it hasn't needed to. The style has barely dated at all, and the car is still rammed with premium materials, making this one of the nicest executive saloons to spend time in. It's like a posh Scandinavian hotel.
However, Volvo has seen fit to upgrade the tech over the years, applying a clean new digital instrument display that's easily interpreted, as well as fresh touchscreen technology. The system is powered by Google, which means Google Maps is included as standard, rather than a traditional satellite navigation system. The result is an intuitive, smartphone-style display that's among the best in the business. Sure, there's the odd issue with the menu layout, but by and large it's an improvement even on most of the premium brands' efforts.
Practicality
The S60 is a reasonably spacious car, although the 427-litre boot is a little on the small side, but there’s enough room for four adults to sit comfortably. Admittedly, the V60 estate – essentially the same car with a bigger boot – is more practical in terms of luggage space and headroom, but the S60 is still adequate. However, it’s worth noting that the T8 plug-in hybrid tested here takes a hit in the boot space department to make room for the hybrid system. With a 391-litre load space, it’s only slightly roomier than a Volkswagen Golf, and the saloon shape makes the shape a little less usable.
Performance
Volvo is offering the S60 with a choice of two powertrains, both of which are based around a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine. There's the 'basic' front-wheel-drive B5 mild-hybrid, which essentially has a glorified stop/start system that makes it more efficient, and the T8 all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid tested here. That engine is combined with a 107kW electric motor and an 18.8kWh battery to allow the car to operate as an electric vehicle on shorter journeys, with the petrol engine helping out on longer trips or when the driver demands more power.
Speaking of which, there's no shortage of that with either engine. The B5 offers 250hp, but the T8 has a massive 455hp, taking it from 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds. But because of the plug-in hybrid system that theoretically offers an all-electric range of between 46 and 58 miles (35-40 is more realistic), it'll return more than 250mpg on the official economy test. Naturally, that's pie in the sky, but if most of your journeys are shorter than, say, 30 miles and you can charge the batteries regularly, the T8 will prove very cheap to run.
More than that, though, it'll also be very refined. Sure, if you really stamp on the accelerator the four-cylinder engine will get a bit moany, but it's fine at anything up to moderate throttle inputs and with so much power on tap, you seldom need more than that. On the motorway, it's whisper quiet.
Ride & Handling
Unlike the S90, Volvo has been keen to make the S60 feel slightly sporty, rather than focussing entirely on comfort. The result is a car that’s slightly firmer than the S90, but on a par with the current-generation Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series. It still isn’t uncomfortable – there’s nothing crashy or jarring about the ride – but it isn’t the most supple saloon on the market, or indeed in Volvo’s range.
However, with the power sent entirely to the front wheels in B5 models and predominantly to the front in T8 versions, the Volvo isn’t the most dynamic car in the class, either. The rear-wheel-drive BMW 3 Series remains the class leader, followed by the Jaguar XE, and both cars offer more steering feel and better balance than the slightly lifeless S60. That said, it’s no less engaging than an Audi A4, but it’s more at home on the motorway than on a back road.
Value
The S60 range starts at £46,880, which is quite expensive compared with the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4. However, that does pay for a powerful 2.0-litre petrol engine and plenty of standard equipment, including 19-inch alloy wheels and leather upholstery, as well as climate control, satellite navigation and a 360-degree manoeuvring camera. Top-spec Ultimate models, meanwhile, start at £51,580, and come with a panoramic roof, Harman Kardon sound system and extra safety kit. And if you want the plug-in hybrid Recharge model tested here, prices rise to £52,520 for the basic Plus model and £57,270 for the range-topping Ultimate. When a BMW 330e M Sport comes in at £47,535, there's no way of calling the Volvo 'cheap'.
Verdict
While the S60 may still fall slightly short compared with the class-leading BMW 3 Series, the updates ensure it remains a close competitor. And it's more than a match for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. But the ace up the Volvo's sleeve is not just its capability, but the fact that it simply isn't German. It looks and feels different, and for people who've grown tired of the 3 Series and its compatriots, this should be the first port of call.
