2019 Volvo s60 inscription review

2019 Volvo s60 inscription review
FOR 2019, THE VOLVO S60 is a stylish compact luxury sedan that’s new from the ground up. In fact, it’s an entirely different car from the outgoing model. 
It competes against some impressive sedans, such as the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series,  both of which we recommend.
We recently purchased our own S60 so that we could put it through CR’s testing regimen. After a few weeks with the car, we like the power the S60 provides, as well as the low-key but stylish interior, but we’re not fans of the difficult-to-use controls. The jury remains out on a few issues, including fuel economy.

WHAT WE LIKE SO FAR
Like all other Volvos, the S60 has standard front-wheel drive.  All-wheel drive is optional—but it’s currently available only if buyers upgrade to the T6 model, which also includes a more powerful 316-hp turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder engine.
The base engine in our car had plenty of power on tap for around-town drives and merging onto the highway.
We also appreciated that the comfortable cabin blocked out almost all wind, road, and engine noise. The driving position lets drivers get a good view of the road, and we like that our car has a traditional shift lever.
There’s lots of room in the deep trunk and plenty of cubbies in the center console, too.
The 2019 Volvo S60 is at least 6 inches wider than most of its competitors, and it has a graceful and athletic appearance. Those who remember the utilitarian Volvos of the not-so-distant past may find it ironic that modern models use their looks like a selling point today.

WHAT WE DON’T
The S60’s handling and steering feel are tuned more for comfort than agility, but its relaxed handling makes for an odd mix with its rather stiff suspension and ride. By far the biggest complaint about the new S60 is one shared with all new Volvos:
the Sensus infotainment system. It’s the driver’s interface to handle everything from climate control to the radio, and it’s overly complex. Even a simple task such as adjusting the temperature keeps a driver’s eyes off the road for longer than we feel is wise. At least it offers Android Auto and  Apple CarPlay compatibility.

Despite the S60’s high price, some interior materials feel noticeably cheap, including  the hard armrest and the flimsy
plastic panels on the backs of the front seats.
Automatic emergency braking and other advanced safety systems come standard, but BSW was a pricey extra on our base Momentum version; we had to buy the Premium Package to get it.

WE’RE KEEPING AN EYE ON ...
Volvo’s minimalist interior design continues to be a source of debate among our testers—some find the S60’s dashboard to be too spartan, but most said they appreciate its clean lines and simplicity.
Most of our testers found the driver’s seat exceptionally comfortable for long rides, but some said it was too firm and disliked its lack of four-way lumbar adjustment.
We also intend to retest Pilot Assist, Volvo’s version of a partially automated driving system that can keep the car centered in its lane and control its speed. Pilot Assist currently sits at the bottom of our rankings of these systems.
So far, we’ve averaged about 25 mpg in a mix of highway and city driving,
compared with the S60’s  EPA rating of 28 mpg combined. We will put the S60 through our own fuel-economy tests to find out just how efficient it is in real-world driving.