Topic: Test Drive: 2013 Volvo S60 R-Design

[Autos_Editor]

Stunning good looks and awesome power are the high points for this Swedish sedan, but the ride and handling fail to deliver.

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[ChaosphereIX]

very nice if I could afford it I would get one. But needs more power! And better brakes. But nothing some tasteful aftermarket work can't fix. Love Swedish speed machines, just wish Saab was still around. A TurboX with todays tech would be amazing. But this Volvo is really really nice. The blue is especially nice.

[redman]

A rare beast to see on the road, based on recent typical Volvo fashion of being quirky and just missing the mark.
This would be a better vehicle as a RWD vehicle with better balance. a inline 6 would be a start.

Like the style and interesting colours that make this vehicle stand out.

[Weels]

Power is not the problem.  If they could tighten up the handling a bit, this thing could be awesome.  Needs some aural attitude to go along with the screaming blue paint too.
The S60, at least my garden variety one, will handle the twisties, but not with the confidence of a RWD setup - as article states, it is nose heavy and understeery.
Paddles are a serious omission, especially on the R design
I don't have any issues with the brakes, they feel plenty strong to me, but I haven't pushed them super hard.

As a very comfortable long distance traveller with enough power to pass whatever you want whenever you want, it's pretty darn good.

[Weels]

A rare beast to see on the road, based on recent typical Volvo fashion of being quirky and just missing the mark.
This would be a better vehicle as a RWD vehicle with better balance. a inline 6 would be a start.

Like the style and interesting colours that make this vehicle stand out.

It is an inline, just perched the wrong way under the hood

[ChaosphereIX]

Power is not the problem.  If they could tighten up the handling a bit, this thing could be awesome.  Needs some aural attitude to go along with the screaming blue paint too.
The S60, at least my garden variety one, will handle the twisties, but not with the confidence of a RWD setup - as article states, it is nose heavy and understeery.
Paddles are a serious omission, especially on the R design
I don't have any issues with the brakes, they feel plenty strong to me, but I haven't pushed them super hard.

As a very comfortable long distance traveller with enough power to pass whatever you want whenever you want, it's pretty darn good.

agreed with your sentiments. The power thing is just being greedy, and the brakes indeed need to be better to haul down all that torque when attacking the twisties - I have pushed one hard and brake fade came quick...

but I also agree it might be better balanced with RWD, but that is not what Volvo does. You can make FWD/AWD work, you just have to be very clever at it. Maybe this thing could use a thicker rear anti roll bar or a strut tower brace to hold things togeter better in the corners?

[Fobroader]

Again, stuffing the engine the wrong way in a car makes it handle like a wet sock. A heavy nose and understeer is just unaceptable for something that claims its a sport sedan. If its awd make the system a 10/90 or 5/95 bias so it drives like a RWD.

[tooscoops]

even though it says polestar and "r" on it, i don't consider it a sport sedan... just a fast mid-luxury sedan.

a very nice looking, comfortable, affordable (good lease numbers), fast sedan.

it's a great car for the masses, but i totally agree that the t5 variant is all most would need. i consider this volvo kind of the camry of the mid-level luxury... does a lot of things really well.. and most of those being the things 95% of drivers will notice... where it falters is in the little spots a driving enthusiast will look.

... oh, and looks quite a bit nicer. imo.

[opg210]

even though it says polestar and "r" on it, i don't consider it a sport sedan... just a fast mid-luxury sedan.

a very nice looking, comfortable, affordable (good lease numbers), fast sedan.

it's a great car for the masses, but i totally agree that the t5 variant is all most would need. i consider this volvo kind of the camry of the mid-level luxury... does a lot of things really well.. and most of those being the things 95% of drivers will notice... where it falters is in the little spots a driving enthusiast will look.

... oh, and looks quite a bit nicer. imo.

Agree. The T5 is very very good at a number of things, especially as a long-distance choice, and has a nice tight feel to it for a comfortable cruiser. It's a shame that it's positioned as a sports sedan and then knocked because it doesn't measure up.

[mixmanmash]

It doesn't only have to be a longitudinally mounted engine, RWD or RWD biased AWD, it also needs to have a manual transmission.

[Gurgie]

I'd like a V60 2.5AWD with a six speed manual... is it too much to ask?  On the hunt for an 07 V70R manual right now, but they're just ridiculously overpriced!!

[Northernridge]

Volvo is the best company at almost making a really good car.

Almost is not good enough at their price point though.

[CAS]

I'd take the Audi S4 anyday over the Volvo.  Similar price, faster and better ride, AND it comes in manual.

[ChaosphereIX]

I'd like a V60 2.5AWD with a six speed manual... is it too much to ask?  On the hunt for an 07 V70R manual right now, but they're just ridiculously overpriced!!

you sir have good taste, and yes they are all rediculously overpriced. If you want some cheaper but similar performing alternatives, try an 08+ Saab 9-3 Sportcombi XWD 6MT. Much cheaper than a V70R and just as fast [2.0T after tune, 2.8T stock].