Volvo S60 review

The S60 is firmly sprung, giving it a slightly more sporting edge than we’d have expected from the brand that puts safety before breakfast on its daily to-do list. Volvo wanted this car to be a bit more exciting than past efforts and has tried to engineer and style it to complement this. It hasn’t worked. There’s plenty of grip and the body is controlled in corners, but the steering is lifeless and vague and the auto ’box not up to a performance role.

In a straight line, all the S60 engine variants are quick enough. We’d rather have the throbby fivecylinder D3 and D5, although Volvo says its future is actually in the superb four-cylinder D4 Drive-E engine. Its broad spread of power, surprising revviness and general overall refinement all ensure there’s no doubting Volvo’s logic. This is an engine that’s got the measure of any German rival...