2016 Volvo S60 Cross Country Review
The S60 is a top tier sports sedan available in a variety of configurations appealing to the frugal and enthusiast alike. For 2016 Volvo expands its S60 offerings to include a jacked up model ready to run cross country.
With visions of Paul Hogan and his Subaru Outback sedan running through my head, the S60 is not the first car to undergo such a transformation. Sure, you could get an all-wheel drive S60 sedan with the same powertrain but that car only clears about 5”. The Cross Country ratchets that up to almost 8”, fits the car with standard SUV tires, and for fun – gives the chassis a dynamic tune. And unlike the sports sedan, the Cross Country eliminates the choices, right down to providing just 1 color. Thankfully the Osmium Grey Metallic looks fantastic. Each one comes fitted with Volvo’s venerable 5-cylinder turbo, 6-speed automatic and all-wheel drive in the uplevel Platinum trim. There are a handful of available options and my car has them all, the costliest of which is the Climate Package bundling heated seats all around, a heated windshield and heated steering wheel. The Blind Spot Information Package also adds cross traffic alert, front park assist and a lane change merge aid. Speed sensitive steering, sunglass holders, urbane wood inlays and upsized 19” wheels wrapped in sport truck tires lead to a fully loaded, as-tested price of $48,455. If you spec an S60 similar to this it costs only $780 less. So as long as you want lots of goodies, the Cross Country’s price premium is minimal. And the styling is spot on with a rugged, Scandinavian elegance that both literally and figuratively raises its curb appeal.
Nearly 8" of ground clearance is legit and a sweet set of Pirelli Scorpions, skid plates, hill decent control and all-wheel drive complete the S60s off road resume.
During some experimentation, like on this leaf strewn trail, I couldn’t get the hill decent control to activate but in general the Cross Country feels hearty enough to lead you to the lake and those kinds of off-road jaunts. The XC60 has over 9” of ground clearance and the V60 Cross Country provides greater utility but it’s this S60 that stands out as a stylish sedan with a muscular lift.
Because of the car's higher center of gravity the Cross Country trades in some of its nimbleness for off road worthiness. You can feel more body roll in the turns though it's still all Volvo in its forgiving ride quality. The 5-cylinder engine is certainly eager enough with ambitious bouts of acceleration but it feels a little mismatched here both for its lack of maturity and its proclivity for turbo punchiness - something you don't want when on the trail.
Quick off the line, this car’s 250 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque gives it some zing, going from 0-to-60mph in 6.7-seconds. But the option of the T6 engine would be welcome, if for nothing more than to better match the Cross Country’s Platinum persona. Gas mileage, which isn’t impressive, is the same as the V60 CC at 20mpg city/28mpg highway on regular, not premium.
Of course, safety features make a notable presence in here with the combination of radar and camera systems that can detect pedestrians and activate full braking if the driver fails to respond. It even works on cyclists in certain conditions. It also reads road sign information, activates the high beams, and packs in adaptive cruise control among a number of other support systems.
Audiophiles will love the standard Harmon Kardon Premium Sound System which is definitely a class above but the Sensus Connect infotainment unit feels like a class below. I do like how it can be easily controlled via buttons and scroll wheel while driving but the screen looks small, the 3G connection is not, well, 4G, and there’s no touchscreen functionality. You can configure the look for ECO, Elegance or Performance, and there is Volvo On-Call for roadside assistance. It’s a comfortable car to nestle into, unless you’re an adult in the rear where the surroundings feel tight and the trunk is really diminutive with this elevated floor eating into valuable cargo room.
I like exclusiveness in my cars and applaud automakers that take chances with something a bit different and as such my wife and I both enjoyed our week with this Volvo. It’s destined to be one of those cars you’ll see on the road someday and say, “Hey, it’s an S60 Cross Country…pretty rare.”
With visions of Paul Hogan and his Subaru Outback sedan running through my head, the S60 is not the first car to undergo such a transformation. Sure, you could get an all-wheel drive S60 sedan with the same powertrain but that car only clears about 5”. The Cross Country ratchets that up to almost 8”, fits the car with standard SUV tires, and for fun – gives the chassis a dynamic tune. And unlike the sports sedan, the Cross Country eliminates the choices, right down to providing just 1 color. Thankfully the Osmium Grey Metallic looks fantastic. Each one comes fitted with Volvo’s venerable 5-cylinder turbo, 6-speed automatic and all-wheel drive in the uplevel Platinum trim. There are a handful of available options and my car has them all, the costliest of which is the Climate Package bundling heated seats all around, a heated windshield and heated steering wheel. The Blind Spot Information Package also adds cross traffic alert, front park assist and a lane change merge aid. Speed sensitive steering, sunglass holders, urbane wood inlays and upsized 19” wheels wrapped in sport truck tires lead to a fully loaded, as-tested price of $48,455. If you spec an S60 similar to this it costs only $780 less. So as long as you want lots of goodies, the Cross Country’s price premium is minimal. And the styling is spot on with a rugged, Scandinavian elegance that both literally and figuratively raises its curb appeal.
Nearly 8" of ground clearance is legit and a sweet set of Pirelli Scorpions, skid plates, hill decent control and all-wheel drive complete the S60s off road resume.
During some experimentation, like on this leaf strewn trail, I couldn’t get the hill decent control to activate but in general the Cross Country feels hearty enough to lead you to the lake and those kinds of off-road jaunts. The XC60 has over 9” of ground clearance and the V60 Cross Country provides greater utility but it’s this S60 that stands out as a stylish sedan with a muscular lift.
Because of the car's higher center of gravity the Cross Country trades in some of its nimbleness for off road worthiness. You can feel more body roll in the turns though it's still all Volvo in its forgiving ride quality. The 5-cylinder engine is certainly eager enough with ambitious bouts of acceleration but it feels a little mismatched here both for its lack of maturity and its proclivity for turbo punchiness - something you don't want when on the trail.
Quick off the line, this car’s 250 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque gives it some zing, going from 0-to-60mph in 6.7-seconds. But the option of the T6 engine would be welcome, if for nothing more than to better match the Cross Country’s Platinum persona. Gas mileage, which isn’t impressive, is the same as the V60 CC at 20mpg city/28mpg highway on regular, not premium.
Of course, safety features make a notable presence in here with the combination of radar and camera systems that can detect pedestrians and activate full braking if the driver fails to respond. It even works on cyclists in certain conditions. It also reads road sign information, activates the high beams, and packs in adaptive cruise control among a number of other support systems.
Audiophiles will love the standard Harmon Kardon Premium Sound System which is definitely a class above but the Sensus Connect infotainment unit feels like a class below. I do like how it can be easily controlled via buttons and scroll wheel while driving but the screen looks small, the 3G connection is not, well, 4G, and there’s no touchscreen functionality. You can configure the look for ECO, Elegance or Performance, and there is Volvo On-Call for roadside assistance. It’s a comfortable car to nestle into, unless you’re an adult in the rear where the surroundings feel tight and the trunk is really diminutive with this elevated floor eating into valuable cargo room.
I like exclusiveness in my cars and applaud automakers that take chances with something a bit different and as such my wife and I both enjoyed our week with this Volvo. It’s destined to be one of those cars you’ll see on the road someday and say, “Hey, it’s an S60 Cross Country…pretty rare.”
2016 Volvo S60 T5 Drive-E Inscription Review
The S60 is a hidden gem in the sports sedan segment. But some find it to be just a bit undersized. To answer the critics and broaden its appeal, Volvo has introduced this. a new model with an extended wheelbase giving those in the back an added 3” of legroom. Here’s our take on the 2016 S60 Inscription. Inscription: the dedication of a work of art, or in Volvo-speak, a stretched version of their best-selling car replete with an added dose of Scandinavian luxury, additional sound deadening material and Inscription door sill moldings. But the essence of this car is its oversized back seat. Just like that, the S60 goes from snug to spacious with class-leading legroom. And beyond that, the seats are heated and sculpted for true comfort. But at 12 cubic feet, the trunk space remains undersized. Even at 6’1” I have no problem stretching out and getting comfortable back here. Sunshades all around are an added perk. Plus, if these pesky headrests get in the way you can drop them from up front. The S60’s front-end was redesigned 2 years ago and features LED daytime running lights. But visually, there’s not much that distinguishes Inscription models from garden variety S60s. To spot one, look for these 18” Titania wheels and this tiny badge on the rear deck lid. With a starting price of just under $40,000 including destination, the Inscription carries a $4,750 premium for its added size and features, including personalized power steering with 3 adjustable settings, a backup cam with rear park assist, a moonroof, Volvo’s beloved leather contour front seats, the eye-catching and distinguished walnut wood inlays, a sport steering wheel with silk metal inalys and a few other niceties. Put this one in the memory bank because it’s going to be a trivia question one day; the S60 Inscription is the first car sold in America made in China. I assume if you opt for Overseas Delivery that you’ll still be landing in Europe. But seriously, Volvo has been under Chinese ownership now since 2010 and they’re a brand on the rise. So whether it’s Shanghai or Stockholm, I’m a buyer on Volvo’s future. The ‘T5’ actually refers to this vehicle’s 2.0-liter turbo-4 and not the 5-cylinder which is available on the all-wheel drive model. And the T6, which really isn’t a ‘6’, isn’t available on the Inscription. Are you confused yet? Journalists get confused so I don’t blame consumers for scratching their heads. The S60 Inscription comes in either Premier, or like here, Platinum trim. When I think of an S60 I picture a racy, Rebel Blue, 300-horsepower all-wheel drive sports sedan with attitude. So, this Seashell-colored Inscription model with front-drive and the 2.0-liter engine presents a different take on the S60: one with a luxury bent. It can still hustle in Sport mode but this version is more about mature motoring.
Even stretched, the Inscription feels light and nimble from behind the wheel. The torquey motor with its 240-horsepower wastes no time, going from 0-to-60mph in 6.0-seconds flat.
The 8-speed auto is a perfect match, the S60 is torque-steer-free, and though there’s more body to move the Inscription demonstrates the balanced drivability found in other S60s. Even with the softest available Touring Chassis, this is still a fun and capable driver’s car with beautiful highway manners. And cementing the Drive-E name, gas mileage takes only a small hit; rated at an impressive 29mpg in combined driving on regular, not premium, unleaded. An ECO+ setting with automatic Start/Stop for the engine can boost efficiency by another 5%.
The Ironmark brand is synonymous with safety, and technology is big in here. The list of camera and radar features is long, but highlights include Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection with Full Auto Brake, Collision Warning and Driver Alert Control which recognizes inattentive driving and then tells you to take a break. This car can even do the dirty work of parallel parking as well as read speed limit signs. The safety tech is exhaustive. The only aspect I’d tweak is the back-up cam which could use a wider-angle lens.
Volvo’s infotainment system known as Sensus is a serviceable system that goes deeper with information than it first appears. I like being able to control the action easily from the steering wheel and there’s in-car Wi-Fi, an internet browser and a host of apps…the problem is that the 3G connection and processing speed is slow…so much so that I can’t imagine using these features very often. The 12 speaker Harmon Kardon Premium Sound System though is the rear deal. This fully loaded S60 T5 Inscription Drive-E stickers for $46,125... a very attractive price point for a larger S60 variant better positioned to compete with its European rivals.
For TestDriveNow.com…
Even stretched, the Inscription feels light and nimble from behind the wheel. The torquey motor with its 240-horsepower wastes no time, going from 0-to-60mph in 6.0-seconds flat.
The 8-speed auto is a perfect match, the S60 is torque-steer-free, and though there’s more body to move the Inscription demonstrates the balanced drivability found in other S60s. Even with the softest available Touring Chassis, this is still a fun and capable driver’s car with beautiful highway manners. And cementing the Drive-E name, gas mileage takes only a small hit; rated at an impressive 29mpg in combined driving on regular, not premium, unleaded. An ECO+ setting with automatic Start/Stop for the engine can boost efficiency by another 5%.
The Ironmark brand is synonymous with safety, and technology is big in here. The list of camera and radar features is long, but highlights include Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection with Full Auto Brake, Collision Warning and Driver Alert Control which recognizes inattentive driving and then tells you to take a break. This car can even do the dirty work of parallel parking as well as read speed limit signs. The safety tech is exhaustive. The only aspect I’d tweak is the back-up cam which could use a wider-angle lens.
Volvo’s infotainment system known as Sensus is a serviceable system that goes deeper with information than it first appears. I like being able to control the action easily from the steering wheel and there’s in-car Wi-Fi, an internet browser and a host of apps…the problem is that the 3G connection and processing speed is slow…so much so that I can’t imagine using these features very often. The 12 speaker Harmon Kardon Premium Sound System though is the rear deal. This fully loaded S60 T5 Inscription Drive-E stickers for $46,125... a very attractive price point for a larger S60 variant better positioned to compete with its European rivals.
For TestDriveNow.com…