• Very similar to other Volvos inside
• Interior dominated by portrait-format infotainment screen
• Comfortable seat and driving position for relaxed cruising

How is the quality and layout?

Inside, it’s like most contemporary Volvos, which isn’t a surprise, given how well designed the basic architecture is. The dashboard is clean and features a high centre console with some big cubbies and neat detailing like diamond knurling on switchgear like the starter and drive mode select wheel. You sit low and cocooned between the high centre console and thickly-padded doors – it’s snug and inviting.

One word of note if you’re considering downsizing from the larger S90: it’s not quite as plush in here as its larger brother, with greater expanses of hard plastic and less decorative trim on the door panels. The top of the dashboard is made from pretty cheap and scratchy plastic.

Infotainment and tech

Volvo’s portrait-style 9.0-inch infotainment system dominates, with an iPad-like usability to it. It comes with Google apps and services plumbed into it. If you’re used to using a smartphone it is intuitive, and the voice recognition is particularly good, understanding different accents and non-standard English.

You can use Google Maps without the need of your phone, which is useful. But unlike its competition, it doesn’t come with the wireless version of Apple CarPlay and doesn’t feature Android Auto at all.

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One criticism we would make is that it does have near-endless numbers of menus and submenus and it can take a while to find what you’re after. And while the temperature controls are on the main screen and turning it simply up and down by a degree or two is a mere couple of prods, doing anything more, e.g. turning air the air con off, requires quite a few more stabs.

Comfort

• This is a car tuned for long-distance comfort
• Seats are supportive and multi-adjustable
• Good driving position

The front seats are super-supportive, and are clearly biassed towards long-distance comfort, while the rear is roomier than the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. This nicely complements the car’s relaxed and laid-back demeanour.

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At speed it’s particularly hushed. This aspect alone will make it perfect for the market it’s aimed at – and this overarching sense of calm and low levels of wind and road noise, combined with the excellent front seats makes the S60 an exceptionally accomplished car for covering huge distances.

Volvo’s semi-autonomous system is among the best in the business. It keeps pace with traffic effortlessly, is measured and precise in its movements and ultimately makes a long motorway journey easier and more comfortable.