Volvo XC60, S60 Drive-E review, test drive

What are they?

The XC60 and S60 may have been around for a while now but Volvo believes, and rightfully so, there’s still quite a bit of life in them; enough life, in fact, to warrant the fitment of new engines and gearboxes. Without going into the nuts and bolts, the new four-cylinder, 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines are part of Volvo’s latest and modular Drive-E family and are each available in different power output versions. Volvo India may not have made much of a song and dance about the development but it’s been selling the XC60 and S60 with the 181bhp D4 version of the new diesel since July last year. And we’ve finally got our hands on the cars.  

But before we get to the new mechanicals and their impact on the driving experience, lets quickly run through all else on the duo. Well, sexy design remains a highlight on both the XC60 and S60 and they look even more special with the optional R-Design addenda on them. Things like the black grille, sportier bumpers, contrast mirrors, 18-inch wheels and dual exhausts really do take things up a notch. R-Design cars also get sporty all-black cabins and fabulously bolstered front seats that are easily among the best around. Both models do retain their well-finished original dashboards that remain unique for their floating centre consoles. There’s still too many buttons on the centre console but given that the voice-activated features on the infotainment systems don’t quite follow Indian accents, they are much needed. The good news is that the infotainment systems have been updated and now feature internet connectivity and access to various apps. As before, drivers will also like the option to choose between one of three themes for the all-digital instrument screens. As for space and comfort in the back, the S60 is on par with competitors while the XC60 continues to feel narrower than rivals.