As the experience of tests of fresh models shows, cars of premium brands have recently become closer to each other in character. The steering wheel is equally easy to turn everywhere. Touch-buttons and non-fixed gear-change lever operate with the same (minimal, simulated) effort. It goes without saying that all around handling is good, with a pronounced "electronic" character - sometimes one can feel that you steer with a simulator. Ride smoothness and comfort are also close. Give or take, the same added value in sensations.

But you have to admit, it's one thing when a BMW is similar to a Volvo in character, and quite another when it's the other way around. This brings us to the topic of our conversation today - the Volvo S60.


Structurally, the S60 is built on the SPA modular platform, . That means a very rigid body with a high percentage of hot stamped boron steel parts (33%).

However, buyers of such cars are rarely interested in what's under the hood, for them it does not matter the number of cylinders. More important is an authentic feeling of premium, which is difficult to fake, imitate or simply create, as the long history of Japanese and Korean premium-cars proves.

And with this Volvo s60 all is well. Externally, it looks athletic, not getting lost not only against the background of more expensive S90, but more importantly, against the backdrop of competitors. The concentration of corporate style and design techniques here is the maximum, along with the fact that there is nothing superfluous or pretentious.

Similarly in the interior. Since the appearance in 2014 (six years ago!) The first model on the fundamentally new architecture SPA - it became a crossover XC90 - Volvo has not happened in the context of design not only the appearance, but also the interior.

But the quality of all parts in the S60 is as high as in the flagships. "Premium" here is exactly the same as in the XC90.

Only quality plastic and good quality leather. The same design, and the shape of seats, and "crystal" tumbler engine switch on the tunnel.

The seat is low, you are sitting in a snug fit. Mirrors on legs make better visibility.

The digital dash mimics analog scales, and you can choose the color. Graphics quality is worse than the Audi, but the design is adequate.


If you're bored by this point, as it often happens in stories about everything Swedish, it's time to cheer up a bit. For this purpose it is not necessary to roll an unknown powder on an armrest covered with soft brown leather; it is not even necessary to drink coffee. The main thing you need to know about the Volvo S60 - it drives great. And it's not even that the 190 horsepower under the hood is enough to go up to a hundred in 7.1 seconds. The point is how it all happens.


What to add here? Popularity statistics have never stopped Volvo enthusiasts. And from that point of view, the S60 has all the best that the brand offers at the moment. And if you need a muscular, well-driven, comfortable and unlike others sedan - why not? But there is also a station wagon V60...