Volvo S60/V60 2020 Car Review

The new Volvo S60 and V60 have been built on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), which is Volvo’s advanced modular product platform that underpins all of the Swedish marques variants in the 90 and 60 Series. This has resulted in the creation of one of the strongest Volvo car ever made, due to an extensive use of high-strength steel, as well as numerous safety systems designed to protect people both inside and outside the car.

Inside, Volvo has taken cues from the clean, Scandinavian interior design first introduced in the 90 Series, raising the bar in the segment by using natural materials and added details on the dashboard and instrument panel. Both our test cars included the $6,000 Premium pack upgrade which features rear window curtains, a panoramic sun roof and an impressive Bowers & Wilkins sound system.

All new Volvos are connected thanks to Sensus, Volvo’s connectivity and infotainment system. It delivers an intuitive touchscreen interface that combines functions, navigation, connected services and in-car entertainment applications such as Spotify. The portrait-oriented touch screen enables easy and fast access to a host of functions and features. As seen in the 90 Series cars, smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is also available.

Both these vehicles are available in two engine options - a T5 AWD petrol and a T8 Twin Engine (Plug-in Hybrid) AWD that delivers 390hp, and is the first Volvo car to be sold without a diesel, signalling the company’s commitment to electrification and a long-term future beyond the traditional combustion engine. Volvo’s Twin Engine plug-in hybrid delivers all the benefits of a high performance, low emission petrol engine with an electric motor that delivers power on demand with ultra-low CO2 emissions and more than 40 km of pure electric range.

Volvo’s City Safety technology, standard on all Volvo models, combines automatic braking functionality and collision avoidance systems to cover a range of potential accident scenarios to help keep you safe. This Volvo safety innovation is capable of detecting other vehicles as well as pedestrians, cyclists and large animals – during the day or night.

The adaptive cruise control with Pilot Assist steering assistance system, included in both R-Design models we tested, works up to 130 km/h on clearly marked roads, and is another step towards Volvo’s ‘Vision 2020’, which states that no one should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo by the end of this year.

Safety systems

• 360-degree camera
• City Safety AEB
• Adaptive cruise with pilot assist
• Distance Alert
• Blis™ (Blind Spot Information System)
• ESC
• Driver Alert Control
• Lane Keeping Aid