Volvo S60 (2010 - 2019) D5 (215bhp) R DESIGN Nav 4d Owner Review

Practicality: The first thing you notice is the size – it’s a fairly big car, particularly the overall width, and you feel this when you first get inside. Unsurprisingly the interior is spacious and comfortable and can take 4 adults in good comfort - five at a push. Being a five-door helps here too. After a few weeks though you do get used to it and you feel like you're driving something smaller because of how it drives and how it handles - it's actually quite chuck-able in the corners and inspires a lot of confidence. The active DSTC keeps you in check too for added safety. The boot opening is a little shallow but the storage capacity is more than acceptable once you're in. Reliability: I’ve had no real issues to speak of other than a knackered battery and a new set of fronts every six to eight months! Mine’s just ticking over around 78k currently and the car still feels solid and easy to operate and it gives you a sense that its been well-built. It starts first time every time - hot or cold weather and there hasn't been a moment yet where I thought something might go wrong. I feel very safe in it too. Running Costs: I’ve managed 700 miles on a full tank on a very good (mostly motorway miles) run but it does cost about 85 quid to fill up from empty - eek! Start/Stop tech was appealing at purchase and works well now, having a new premium battery installed. You do have to sufficiently charge the battery for the start/stop to take effect. Official figures from Volvo are very optimistic too - 67mpg. I'm lucky to see 47mpg average day to day in mixed town and touring conditions. Tyre wear is a little higher than I expected as well, having had a new tyre on each wheel in under 10000 miles. Insurance premiums not too bad for this sort of car and tax is peanuts at just £30 a year. How It Drives: The 2.4 D5 powerplant is an absolute beast. Period. I love a torque-y diesel but this really is something else - it pulls like a freight train! It really does give you the confidence to go for an overtake, a quick thrash down the motorway or even a long cruise at 70mph+ knowing it's happy to do so. What's more if you keep it in the rev range you can get up to 70mph in third gear before having to change up (this car weighs over 1500kg too) and then it still has more to give; it simply is an incredible engine and I for one will be sad to see it go on the next generation. After having driven another car for a few days (a very short-lived project) and then getting back into the S60 you notice just how silky smooth the gearbox is; it’s like running a hot knife through butter. I do my bit and keep up with regular servicing too at least every 10,000 miles so everything oil touches remains sound. Overall Rating: Overall the S60 R-Design is a great car and it's easy to live with. It's fast, it's fun and it's affordable if you're not too keen with your right foot! I've owned mine for about 18months now and have had no real problems with it and the problems I did have were easily put right. You should consider the S60 if you want a slightly less obvious alternative in the compact saloon class. A reliable and safe buy for yourself or your family… and the back end looks sexy as hell. The Swedes really nailed this one.