Firmer suspension delivers sportier handling.

Introduction

The Volvo S60 combines excellent performance with outstanding safety features. It feels like a tight European sedan and does a good job of smoothing out rough roads. Its interior is handsome and the available leather has a high-quality look and feel. 

The S60 fills the middle range in Volvo's lineup: It's larger than the compact S40, but not quite as large as the premium-luxury S80. 

The high-performance S60 R features 300 horsepower and all manner of go-fast goodies. 

For 2007, all S60 models benefit from a firmer, more performance-oriented suspension. Also for 2007, the sporty Volvo S60 T5 features the watch-dial instruments that were previously available only on the luxury-flagship S80 and high-performance S60 R. 

Volvo has been a world leader in safety engineering since the mid-1950s and the S60 is stuffed with safety features and engineering. 

Lineup

The 2007 Volvo S60 comes in four models: S60 2.5T ($30,885), S60 2.5T AWD ($32,735), S60 T5 ($32,735), and S60 R ($38,985). 

The 2.5T comes with a low-pressure-turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-5 rated at 208 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard, while a five-speed automatic with Geartronic is part of an option package. 

Standard equipment for the 2.5T includes fabric upholstery, dual-zone electronic climate control, central power door locks with keyless entry, power windows, front and rear fog lights, power heated outside mirrors with memory, tinted windows, a pollen filter, cruise control, trip computer, leather gearshift knob, leather-wrapped tilt/telescoping steering wheel with illuminated cruise and audio controls, illuminated glovebox and vanity mirrors, power driver's seat with memory and lumbar support, spilt/folding rear seat, and 16-inch aluminum wheels with 215/55R16 tires. A 100-watt stereo with in-dash CD player is the standard audio system across the S60 lineup. 

The 2.5T AWD adds all-wheel drive. For better traction in snow, the AWD model comes with narrower 205/55R16 tires, mounted on narrower rims (6.5-inch vs. 7.0). DTSC traction and stability control, which weren't even available last year, are now standard. 

The T5 comes with a 2.4-liter engine that uses high-pressure turbocharging to produce 257 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque (at 2100-5000 rpm) for much quicker acceleration. A six-speed manual transmission is standard; a five-speed Geartronic automatic with Auto-Stick manual control is optional ($1,250). The T5 also gets a sports suspension, speed-sensitive power steering, and 17-by-7.5-inch alloy wheels with 235/45HR17 tires. Additional luxuries include a power front passenger seat, aluminum mesh interior trim, blue watch-dial instrumentation, a leather parking brake cover, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with a compass, and other interior upgrades. 

The S60 R comes with a 2.5-liter high-pressure turbocharged five-cylinder with twin intercoolers and continuously variable valve timing; it boasts 300 horsepower, and 295 pound-feet of torque beginning at just 1950 rpm. The S60 R offers a choice of a close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox or an optional six-speed automatic with a manual mode ($1,250). The S60 R also features all-wheel drive, a uniquely tuned adaptive sport suspension, Brembo disc brakes with four-piston aluminum calipers, and 235/45ZR17 Pirelli P-Zero tires on 17-inch wheels. All conveniences from the T5 are standard on the S60 R, plus bi-xenon headlamps with washers and automatic level control, rear spoiler, a choice of aluminum or blue-stitched leather shift knob and steering wheel, multi-contoured power driver and passenger sport seats, blue-stitched leather parking brake handle, and either Black Navy or Gobi Sand soft leather upholstery. 

Option packages include a Convenience Package ($955) with auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass, Homelink, rear park assist, grocery bag holder, and sunglasses holder. The Premium Package ($2,995) adds leather seats with power adjustment for the front passenger, genuine wood inlays for the dashboard, a power glass tilt-and-slide sunroof, and additional rear speakers. The Sport Package ($1,595) combines the Geartronic transmission with 17x7.5-inch alloy wheels, 235/45HR17 tires, sport seats, and a 235-watt stereo (HU-850) with 6CD in-dash changer, Dolby Pro-Logic II, premium speakers and diversity antenna. 

Convenience ($795) and Premium ($2,400) Packages are also available for the T5, but cost less because some of the content is already standard. For the same reason there is no Sport Package for the T5, but the HU-850 stereo is available as a stand-alone ($995). 

The Premium Package for S60 R ($2,400) combines a power tilt/slide sunroof and the HU-850 stereo. Buy the stereo and you can add a subwoofer ($300). Also exclusive to the R-model are Atacama untreated natural l. 

Walkaround

The Volvo S60 represents the essence of contemporary Scandinavian design. The S60 seems compact at first glance, and there's a hunched-shoulder look to the rear flanks, suggesting a hockey player ready to lead a charge up the ice. What you can't see is all the engineering designed to protect the people riding in the structure. It's there that Volvo's reputation for safety continues and deservedly so. 

The S60 R is distinguished from the other models by a longer, smoother nose housing a smaller, lower grille; and a larger air dam with a bigger central scoop, flanked by serious-looking side grilles to feed the big turbo and twin intercoolers. 

Active Bi-Xenon headlights are now available on all S60 models. A mini-processor gathers data to optimize their beam pattern, and the beams can be turned up to 15 degrees in either direction. 

For 2007, new colors and new wheels are mostly what separate 2007 models from last year's models. Volvo claims that the front grille and bumper have been aerodynamically refined for '07, but you'd need the observational skills of Sherlock Holmes to see the difference. Nor will you likely spot the redesigned outside mirrors, although you might appreciate their new integrated-turn-signal feature. The mirror-mounted signals automatically flash three times with light pressure on the turn signal stalk. Unfortunately, the new mirrors eliminate the puddle lights that were previously standard on all S60s. 

Interior

Overall, the interior of the Volvo S60 is handsome and comfortable. There's good interior space up front, and the optional pigskin leather has a high-quality look and feel. The seats themselves are cushy. They were redesigned for 2005 to provide better support and comfort on long trips. 

The dashboard flows in a pleasant shape. Where available, attractive wood trim appears sparingly on the glovebox lid and on all four doors; while the sportier versions eschew wood for metallic trim. 

New for 2007, aluminum inserts brighten the steering column stalks and steering-wheel-mounted switches. The quality of the material used to cover other surfaces is good. For 2007, a compass is built into the rearview mirror and the DSTC (stability and traction-control) shut-off has moved to the steering wheel stalk. 

The standard gauges are attractive, with their flat-gray background, and easy to read. Switches are intuitive and easy to use. 

For 2007, the T5 gets the watch dial instrument cluster introduced on the S80 and S60 R. The four blue-faced instruments are surrounded by grey rings with subtle blue hash marks. They feature clear, attractive gray numerals and thin red pointers on blue hubs. 

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning controls are well designed and easy to operate, with big metaphoric controls to direct the airflow. Power-window buttons with auto-down are conveniently mounted on the door. Inside door handles are easy to grab. 

The innovative radio controls take some familiarization to master. Changing preset channels involves turning a knob, rather than pressing a button, for example. Once understood, the system works well. The leather-wrapped steering wheel has controls for the audio system that makes operating it easier while driving. 

The center console features a covered storage bin and cup holders that fit all standard sizes of beverage container. There's another mini cup holder on the center of the dash. The manual shift lever has a silver-colored plastic cover at its base that looks like silver-colored plastic. 

The back seats require a duck of the head to get in. Once back there, the S60 offers good rear headroom, though taller adults find it short on legroom. 

The trunk is roomy and deep and will hold a lot of small bags. However, Volvo had to make design concessions that constrict the trunk opening to carve the S60's swoopy shape, so loading big hard-sided cases might present a challenge. The rear seats are split 60/40 and fold down to carry long items. Fold down the right rear seat and front passenger seat, and you can carry something quite long. 

Driving Impression

The Volvo S60 offers an excellent ride, even over nasty bumps, and even with the optional 17-inch wheels. In the past, we've been disappointed by its handling, which was good enough but not up to the razor-edge standard of, say, a BMW. For 2007, however, Volvo tightened the base suspension, with firmer springs and shocks, front and rear; and thicker anti-roll bars supported by solid bushings. Roll stiffness is increased by 25 percent. 

Front-wheel-drive models exhibit some torque steer, especially with the more powerful engines. Stand on the gas and you'll feel a tug on the steering wheel. It's really no big deal, though, and you get used to it. Still, the S60 definitely engages the driver, because you have to pay attention to the steering when you're driving hard. It's extremely stable at high speeds, however. 

The T5 produces prodigious thrust from its high-pressure turbocharger. And Volvo's turbocharged engines get good gas mileage. The T5 rates 21/27 mpg with the six-speed manual transmission. 

We found the brakes on the soft side. We didn't feel thrown forward in the seat under hard braking as we have with other sports sedans. But braking was stable and the ABS was very smooth. 

The S60 AWD steering is slightly heavier than it is in the front-drive models because of the weight of the all-wheel-drive system. The AWD steering also has a more on-center feel (less play, in other words). The ride is firmer on the all-wheel-drive version, which has stiffer shocks to handle the increased weight. Overall, we think the AWD model's improved traction and handling in the rain and snow are worthwhile for anyone who annually faces those conditions. 

We drove over gravel roads in the S60 AWD, and found directional stability on loose surfaces excellent. Power in the S60 AWD is distributed between the front and rear wheels using a wet multi-plate clutch controlled by electronics according to driving conditions. With a steady throttle on dry pavement, about 95 percent of the power is transmitted to the front wheels; but up to 70 percent can go to the rear wheels when required. The balance changes seamlessly and instantaneously. Of course other automakers say that, too, but the difference in Volvo's Active-On-Demand system is the degree of instantaneous-ness, particularly with the new Instant Traction system, which pre-charges the AWD system to provide instantly available torque. When one wheel slips, the balance of power shifts away from that wheel, thus replacing the slip with grip. As a result, it's more secure and better stuck to the road when the weather gets nasty. Acceleration is also improved in slippery conditions. The narrower tires on the AWD model improve stability and handling in the slippery stuff, as well. This makes the S60 AWD an excellent choice for driving on snow and ice. 

The S60 R is another animal altogether. It was designed and developed by Hans Nilsson, who's been a Volvo engineer for 26 years and races his own Volvo in 24-hour endurance races. Volvo let him alone to do what he knows how to do, and he did such a bang-up job they now call him the Czar of R. We tested the S60 R on the road course at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and it was a perfect day in a perfect car. The balance is brilliant, the engine train-like, the gearbox bulletproof and the brakes bomb-proof. 

The R suspension is what's really special. Volvo says it's the most advanced active chassis on the market. A button on the dash allows three settings, Comfort, Sport, and Advanced, which mostly address the shock stiffness and engine management. There are distinct differences among them, and each performs exactly as defined by the buttons. No more compromises with the ride of your high-performance car: You have a suspension that's soft when you want it to be, and stiff when you need it to be. Up to 500 times a second, sensors measure things like longitudinal, lateral and vertical acceler. 

Summary

The Volvo S60 rides well and handles well. It feels stable at high speeds. The all-wheel-drive model provides excellent driver control on slippery surfaces. The sportier T5 and S60 R offer strong acceleration performance. Volvo is renowned for safety engineering and the S60 is fully equipped with active and passive safety features including a rigid safety cage. 

NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Sam Moses filed this report from the Columbia River Gorge. 

Model Lineup

Volvo S60 2.5T ($30,885); 2.5T AWD ($32,735); T5 ($32,735); R ($38,985). 

Assembled In

Ghent, Belgium. 

Options As Tested

Premium Package ($2,995) includes leather seating surfaces, 8-way power adjustable passenger's seat with adjustable lumbar support, power tilt-and-slide glass moonroof, rear shelf speakers, wood dash inlays; Climate Package ($675) includes heated front seats, headlight wipers/washers, Rainsense wipers; Convenience Package ($955) includes auto-dimming rear-view mirror with compass, Homelink universal transmitter, grocery bag holder, rear parking assistance, sunglass holder.