Review of the new Volvo S60 range

Volvos aren't boxy anymore. The cars that gained the Swedish manufacturer its reputation for displaying all the design flair of a chartered accountancy firm are long gone. The manufacturer's recent output has shown progressively more of the stylistic innovation that we know the Scandinavians are capable of and the latest S60 aims to take the concept of the pretty Volvo to new heights.

Volvo has toiled away at the hard coalface of the prestige car market for years. It's had some major breakthroughs and been clobbered by a few cave-ins but the goal of competing head to head with the Germans in the compact executive sector has consistently proven out of reach. This S60 is Volvo's latest attempt to put that right and like its predecessor, it comes at the formidable tri-pronged problem of the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class in a slightly roundabout way. The S60 is significantly larger than these cars, being based on an extended version of the already sizable Ford Mondeo platform. It's hoped that the sheer 'metal for the money' appeal coupled with some sharky lines and a cool interior can put the S60 over the top.

Volvos have tended to feel like the safe cars they are when you get them out on the road but with this S60 more emphasis than ever before has been placed on instilling some excitement. The steering ratio is 10 per cent faster than in previous models and the thick steering column is said to amplify the feeling of contact between the driver, the wheels and the road. The suspension is stiffer and was partially developed in the UK where we're proud owners of some of Europe's scabbiest road surfaces, so you can expect a polished performance on that B-road shortcut that usually sets your teeth chattering.

"Volvo executive cars have usually been safe, reliable and practical"

The front-wheel-drive layout of the S60 will put it at a disadvantage in the eyes of some keen drivers but Volvo's all-wheel-drive technology is available with some models and the Four-C active chassis technology is available across the range. This is an active chassis system that uses numerous sensors to monitor the car's behaviour and adjust the dampers to best cope with the road conditions and the driving style. The driver can also select Comfort, Sport and Advanced modes as required.

The engine line-up is topped by a 3.0-litre straight six petrol engine complete with turbocharger and this 304bhp unit will take the S60 to 62mph in 6.5s. More realistic choices for the target S60 customers are a pair of five-cylinder diesels: the twin-turbo 2.4-litre D5 has 204bhp and the 2.0-litre D3 generates 163bhp for a 9.2s 0-62mph sprint. Arguably even more impressive is the braking system which can detect an imminent low speed collision and brake automatically. It also has a raft of other technologies to assist under hard braking.

This is one of the best looking Volvos we've seen for a good few decades. For much of that period, styling was not a Volvo strongpoint but the S60 confirms the Swedish marque's art department as being back in the saddle and riding tall. In profile, the four-door coupe shape has more than a passing resemblance to the Ford Mondeo that shares the same platform but the S60 emphasises its elevated position with more sinewy lines and upmarket detailing. The straight edges that used to characterise Volvo are banished in favour of gentle curves that ease into one another. The double headlights at the front and large brake light clusters at the rear mean you should be able to spot an S60 day or night.

The cabin is an area where the S60 should be able to lever an advantage over the German compact executive models it competes with on price. The Volvo is simply a bigger car and this car increases rear passenger space even over the previous generation model. Volvo interior design has been impressing for a while and the S60 features brand trademarks like the floating centre stack with storage space behind while adding more of a sporty flavour with its metallic trim and supportive seating.

The more powerful S60 engines make landfall first, the six-cylinder T6 petrol unit and the five cylinder diesels, the 2.4-litre christened D5 and the 2.0-litre badged D3. Next will come Volvo's four-cylinder options. The T5 is a 240bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, the T4 is a 1.6 turbo with 180bhp and the T3 uses the same configuration but only has 150bhp at its disposal. A 1.6 D DRIVe model will complete the range offering the S60's lowest running costs.

Technology features available on the S60 include the ACC Adaptive Cruise Control system that can maintain a set gap to the vehicle in front, a parking assist camera with front and rear sensors and a further camera on the front grille to help the driver see out of bind junctions. The specially developed infotainment system brings the various functions together on a five or seven inch screen mounted high on the dashboard.

The S60 promises low running costs for a car of its size but the overall cost of ownership will depend on how its residual values hold up on the used car market. The D5 diesel engine can return 48mpg which isn't bad considering the performance it offers while the D3 2.0-litre diesel chips in with 54mpg. It means that the S60 can't match the best of the BMW engine range for efficiency but has equivalent Audi and Mercedes models in its sights.

Volvo executive cars have usually been safe, reliable and practical but sporty and stylish? Buyers with those as priorities may have felt inclined to look elsewhere. The S60 could be the car to change all that. It incorporates the vibrant design that's been creeping into other Volvo products for a while now and accentuates it in a sleek four-door package with a driver-focused chassis and a range of high-tech engine options. There's a roomy cabin and the bundle of advanced safety equipment we've always expected from Volvo is also in evidence, setting the S60 up as an intriguing alternative to the compact executive mainstream.