Volvo S60 review

If you’re buying on PCP finance, the S60 is competitive compared to rivals, including the BMW 3 Series and Alfa Romeo Giulia. However, an equivalent 3 Series emits a lot less CO2, so works out much cheaper for company car drivers paying benefit in kind (BIK) tax.

Likewise, the S60 isn’t as frugal as an equivalent 3 Series, either on paper or in real-world driving. And because there isn’t a diesel version, it isn’t a great choice for anyone doing high miles.

Only one trim is offered at present: R-Design Edition. This is seriously well equipped, with 19in alloys, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a driver head-up display, climate control, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlights.

The only option we’d recommend adding is the Convenience Pack, which adds a three-pin 240-volt plug socket and split-folding rear seats (discussed in the passenger and boot space section).

The S60 was too new to feature in the 2018 What Car? Reliability Survey, but Volvo as a brand finished behind BMW and Alfa with a relatively disappointing 21st place (out of 31 manufacturers) finish.

A three-year, 60,000-mile warranty, including roadside assistance, is standard, as is a three-year paintwork warranty and 12 years of cover against rust. This is par for the course in the class.

The S60 received the maximum five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP. It didn’t perform quite as well as the Alfa Romeo Guilia at protecting adult occupants in a crash, but scored better marks for protecting children, and its standard automatic emergency braking (AEB) system proved better at recognising cyclists.

Other standard active safety aids on the R-Design Edition, the only trim available at present, include lane-keeping assistance, blind spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition and cross-traffic alert.