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Review: Volvo S60 D4 SE Lux Nav Automatic

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Author: | Updated: 22 Jul 2014 14:04

Volvo, a long-respected name in the company car arena, recently introduced a range of powerful but fuel-efficient two-litre diesel engines, designed to realise the business car driver’s dream and strike the perfect balance between performance and economy.

The resulting D4 units were introduced to the XC60, S60, S80 V70, XC60 and XC70 at the start of 2014, before appearing in the V40 later in the year.

But it’s the mid-sized S60 saloon we’re driving here, a direct rival to BMW’s 3 Series, Mazda6, Audi A3 saloon, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

The S60 D4 auto can hit 62mph in 7.4seconds

Performance and dimensions

Measuring at 4635mm long, 1865mm wide, 1484mm tall with a 2776mm wheelbase, the S60 is the tallest of its rivals by at least 34mm, but it offers the least boot space with 339 litres, well behind the class-leading 483 litres in the Mazda6 saloon. Access is awkward also to add insult to injury.

Mated to an eight-speed automatic Geartronic transmission, our S60 could deliver a combined fuel consumption of 67.3mpg at 109g/km CO2. That’s the same as what you’ll get in a Kia Picanto, which costs almost a quarter of the most basic S60 D4 (£31,695).

However, something you wouldn’t able to do in the £8k South Korean city car is ramp up to 62mph in 7.4 seconds, a sprint which matches Mercedes’ C220 auto and Audi’s manual A3 Saloon.

On the green front, the S60’s 109g/km CO2 edges the C220 by a single gram, a slightly shallow win considering they both sit in the B VED band, with 17% Benefit In Kind for 2014/15 (£848 a year for a 20% taxpayer).

There is a strong case however for the six-speed manual S60 D4 with all these number improving to 74.3mpg, 99g/km CO2 (same as Skoda’s 1.6 diesel Octavia) and a sub-(just) seven second 0-62mph dash (6.9s).

If you want the stronger mpg, go for the six speed manual

Find business leasing deals on the Volvo S60 here

On the road

So the D4 has certainly fulfilled the brief on marrying performance and efficiency and it’s a relief to confirm that it performs on the road too.

The S60’s surly frame never dampens its genuinely impressive acceleration and progress is almost too easy with the eight-speed auto handling shifting smoothly. With 400Nm of max torque available, company car drivers are sure to appreciate the S60 D4’s go-kart-like ‘foot-down and go’ nature.

The standard D gear offers ample power for almost every driving situation but switching to S delivers that extra push and ramps up revs to cater for any quick overtaking situations. This means the humble, sophisticated and well-isolated diesel hum thins to an intense and discomforting bellow which feels ill-suited for the executive drive. It demolishes fuel economy too so best to reserve it as a last resort.

The S60 keeps its cool on bends as much as on open motorway cruises with the firm but smooth steering making the S60 as manoeuvrable as any of its rivals.

Interior

Although the interior fails to outclass the C-Class – a tough ask - comfort and noise isolation is where it needs to be and the S60 is a swish place to be with confident chrome and sturdy plastics surfacing the dashboard. We prefer it to the Mazda6 and A3 Saloon’s cabin due to the no-nonsense but easy-to-function layout and more robust build.

The cabin is tasteful but who has ever really needed the alphanumeric pad?

Find personal leasing deals on the Volvo S60 here

In true Volvo fashion, there are about 50 buttons on the centre console that you’ll never use (who has ever really needed the alphanumeric pad?) but they fail to spoil what is otherwise a well-styled cabin.

Again, Volvo being Volvo means a strong focus on safety features. Sensors at the top of the windscreen form part of an autonomous emergency braking system which will bring the car to a halt if it recognises an potential collision (effective up to 19mph).

Lights on the A-pillars will illuminate if a car drifts into the driver’s blindspot and will flash and beep if the corresponding indicator is used as if pleading ‘for the love of all that is holy, don’t change lane!’. There are dual-stage driver and passenger airbags, and protection systems for lane-keeping, whiplash and side impact.

Spec

You can pick up an S60 with the D4 engine for £23,445 in base level Business Edition (or just under £300 a month for business users) but our S60 D4 SE Lux Nav – the middle of five trim levels – started at £31,695 OTR before almost £1k worth of extra were bolted on (£40,895 final price).

At the best part of £32k, the S60 lands in 3 Series territory and for £31,275 (or £250 on a 10k annual mileage), you could pick-up a similarly specced 320d Efficient Dynamics, which may fail to outpace the S60 D4 (8s) but does outgreen it (just) with 68.9mpg combined with an identical CO2 output (109g/km). Consequently, the lure of the propeller badge is understandable.

Entry level Business Edition S60s come on 16” Oden alloys (17” Pandora alloys for SE cars, 18” on R-Design) with DAB and Bluetooth piled into the 7” touchscreen sat nav, climate control, power windows front and rear, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, front armrest with cupholders, rear park assist Volvo’s City Safety autonomous emergency braking system, and cruise control.

Our SE Lux Nav model threw in automatic rain sensors, electronic folding door mirrors, powered driver seat with memory settings, rear armrest, eight speakers, active xenon headlights which turn to illuminate corners as the car is steered, classier leather upholstery and more shiny chrome around the edges.

Summary

Volvo’s D4 engines are admirable and easy to love.

The combination of meaty acceleration, alluring running costs and attention to safety make the S60 D4 desirable for families and company car drivers alike, but slightly more upmarket alternatives for around the same money hamper its appeal.

Volvo’s D4 engines are admirable and easy to love.

Volvo S60 D4 at a glance:

We like: Punchy diesel power, strong fuel economy and low emissions
We no like: Price puts in contention with more desirable badges, awkward boot

Model tested: D4 SE Lux Nav 8sp Auto (2L 181hp diesel) - £40,895 (£31,695 basic)

Length: 4635mm
Width: 1865mm (inc. mirrors)
Height: 1484mm
Wheelbase: 2776mm
Boot space: 339 litres
0-62mph: 7.4 seconds (6.9 - 6sp manual)
Combined fuel economy: 67.3mpg (74.3mpg - manual)
CO2:
109g/km (99g/km - manual)
Top speed: 143mph

Petrol engines: T3 1.6L 150hp, T6 2L 306hp
Diesel engines: D2 1.56L 115hp, D31.56L 136hp, D4 2L 181hp, D5 2.4L 215hp
Fastest option: T6 2L petrol - 5.9s 0-62mph, 143mph max speed
Best fuel economy: D4 6sp manual – 74.3mpg, 99g/km CO2
Trims: Business Edition, SE, SE Lux, R-Design, R-Design Lux
S60 starting price: £21,545 – D2 Business Edition
Rivals: Mazda6, Audi A3 Saloon, Mercedes-Benz C-Class

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