Short test: 2012 Volvo S60 T5

Vehicle: 2012 Volvo S60 T5 with Driver Support Pkg, Premium Pkg, Premium Sound, Metallic Paint and Navigation
Price as tested: CDN$51605

For those who have found T6 AWD a bit out of their price range, Volvo starts to offer a more affordable T5 in FWD guise. We have always been impressed with Volvo’s latest effort on producing a sports sedan, which is finally worthy as a successor to their 850 Turbo about a decade ago.

With the T5, its 250 Swedish forced induction stallion and 266 lb/ft of torque are more than capable of moving this heavymetal around. The main reason is this 5-cylinder turbocharged engine provides silky smooth delivery of performance right from the get-going to middle of the rev range, while providing decent engine note and NVH to justify its luxury car status. Despite its 30 less horses and 59 less lb/ft than its T6 counterparts. It doesn’t feel like lacking. In fact, this engine has aplenty for most situations. It has plenty of low-end torque for traffic light acceleration while enough middle grunt for highway passing move. The smooth delivery of power without the annoying turbo lag. It really does shown how capable Swedish carmakers are able to engineered with forced induction powertrains. The combination of efficiency and effectiveness of light-pressure turbocharging is extremely impressive in T5 case.

Even without the benefit of AWD, S60 remains a very capable car in FWD form. The suspension calibration is world-class especially with optional 4C chassis system. The steering provides reassurring feel and feedback, while the ride is more relaxing, which is more in-tuned with its Swedish personality than many of those more aggressively tuned German peers. As for its 4C, it remains as calm and comfortable as any full-lined luxury car. Press the “sport” button, it quickly transform S60 from a full-lined luxury car into a sports sedan. The “advanced” is better leave for track purpose, which is rare judging by S60′s family car status. The most comfortable setting has to be in “comfort” which we think its most suitable for its character, while leaving the “sport” when your family isn’t around.

On the one hand, S60 has some of the best seats in the business. On the other hand, it has one of the most annoying trunk layout ever. The rest of the interior is typical Swedish sensibilities, with initutiveness we rarely seen from its German counterparts.

Since S60′s first inception in 2001, it has always been our favourite Volvo. With the introduction of the 2nd generation, Volvo is able to keep the goods while addressing its weakness when it comes to dynamic abilities. Volvo has finally able to rectify its poor compromise in previous S60R’s 4C adjustable damping system. It has worked equally well in our T5 FWD as good as T6 AWD. Hopefully, Volvo’s new management would see the light and give us the new S60R.

Likes:
Swedish turbocharged personality
Comfortable seats
Potent I-5 engine
Handling and ride

Dislikes:
Interior ergonomics
Trunk layout

Competitions:
Acura TSX
Infiniti G25
Lexus IS250
VW Passat