Volvo S60 saloon - Interior & comfort

Volvo has become one of the brands to beat when it comes to interior design and comfort, but sporty versions we've driven so far – including the plug-in hybrid models – have a rather firm ride that detracts from the car's ability on long motorway journeys.

Volvo S60 dashboard

There's little to separate the S60's interior from the Volvo V60, and those familiar with the Swedish brand will recognise elements of the luxurious Volvo S90 saloon and flagship Volvo XC90 SUV. It's all the more impressive considering you are essentially getting the same as those cars but spending less.

As with its stablemates, attention to detail in the S60 is impressive. The materials used inside are close to best in class - the soft-touch dashboard materials are tactile and attractive, while materials in less visible places seem tough and robust.

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The 9.3-inch touchscreen infotainment screen is far from the biggest you'll find in this size of car, but being portrait-oriented gives it a look all of its own. It's simple to use too, responding to pinch and zoom gestures like a smartphone, with information prioritised in importance and complexity from top to bottom, with the simplest, most frequent operations at the top of the screen. 

It looks after climate control and other comfort and convenience features, as well as music and navigation, and there's a voice control system to help you keep your eyes on the road when making adjustments. It's now been upgraded to run on Google-based software, and boasts sharper graphics. The user experience is also far more intuitive, with navigation powered by Google Maps that's able to easily find locations, and even provide useful information like opening hours.  

Equipment

The S60 is currently available in just the two trim levels called Plus and Ultimate, so the entry-level Core grade offered with the V60 isn't an option. 

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There's an impressive amount of standard equipment, and Plus includes a powered bootlid, four-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, leather-faced upholstery and even heated rear sets. Ultimate adds to the luxury with a Harman Kardon stereo upgrade, adaptive cruise control, adaptive headlights, a panoramic sunroof and a powered passenger seat.

Buyers can also choose either a Dark or Bright theme, decking the car's exterior out in either black or chrome trim respectively, including the front grille.

Options

You can choose the Driver Assistance package that includes Volvo's Pilot Assist system. This combines adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist to maintain a preset distance from the car in front, as well as to prevent the car from wandering out of its lane. Volvo regards this as 'semi autonomous' tech, but you still need to keep a grip on the wheel and pay attention to the road at all times.

Individual options include a 360-degree parking camera, a type two charge cable for the hybrid models, heated rear seats, and a range of wheel designs and metallic paints.