Right. I've owned Bimmers and Mercedes, and even though this car isn't QUITE as sharp handling, it makes up for that in personality and character. It's just like with Guitars. There's plusses and minuses to them all :)
Just so everyone knows, the full sized spare that takes up all that trunk space is an option. Normally the trunk floor is flat and there is a fix a flat kit underneath. 👍🏼
I've had 4 Audi's since the late 90's; only my first, a '96 A6 didn't live in the shop. How about my wife's 2011 A4 needing new rings and pistons at 20K miles? Friggin blowing smoke out the exhaust not long after break in. Good luck with your German cars Dudes. I bought a MY15 V60 R-Design because sport wagons rule and had to replace my A4 Avant with the trashed engine at 127K miles. I wouldn't quite call it a sleeper in bright Rebel Blue color with 19's though. I do really dig the rarity of them, like Audi's used to be. Great car so far, and yes very fast and fun. It has 325 horses and 354 torque so its in the ballpark with the S4. I put a thicker 25mm sway on the back to button it down more, and it could use a thicker one on the front or perhaps some better springs and struts to counter the excessive dive in corners and otherwise iffy dampening (heavy ass engine all at the front towers). It does come with a nice tower brace bar however. The all Polestar car has the best suspension set-up if they'd ever make the parts available.. The steering's ok, but a bit too much of that front wheel drive biased tug at the wheel on long sweepers. The Haldex is set at 90% FWD during normal driving when AWD traction is not needed (to save fuel.. wish it was adjustable or rear biased). Not a deal breaker IMO. The seats are THE best! BTW, my wife loved my car so much, she had to have the sedan version, MY15 S60 RD after we dumped her '11 A4! Her's is basically a red version of the one tested here. For obvious reasons it's slightly more toss-able and quicker than my wagon. The kind of cars you look forward to driving often and everywhere. Yes, Volvo's.
The only reason the Volvo's look different is because it's a Swedish car. If you think that they're weird, then go check out the new XC90. That will change your mind.
I always loved the Audi S4 but I sat in the Volvo S60R and fell in love with that as well. Can't decide but if I had to choose I would get the S4. Keep up the great reviews, I really enjoy your videos!
Well, I bought a Volvo T6 Rdesign on an auction today. Only seen on photos what I am buying. After I watched you driving this car and see your excitement during that, I am sure I made a good decision buying a T6 Volvo :)
Volvo is so underrated lol my first car was a v70 wagon I got made fun of cause you know as a high school senior a wagon? But man was it fast it soon became known as the white rocket I had the fastest car in that bitch lol t5 FTW. As for people wondering the car he is reviewing can easily blow the doors off the sti and evos. These things are stupid fast. Especially the polestar editions.
Lol I know sorry, it was annoying me too. Sadly my lavalier mic failed for this part so I had to use the camera mic which picks up all the nature sounds haha.
looking forward to this review. Volvo has always been the mysterious brand not many people know a lot about. I heard they have killer interiors and awesome stereos.
***** exactly. but i was also sort of referring to the "modding" crowd, who don't consider Volvo in the top few moddable cars to consider. although i know Volvos do have an aftermarket following also.
1. It's a T6, not a T5. 2. He didn't talk about how you can change the look of the gauge cluster. 3. A bottle will fit fine in the map pockets even with no round shape. And 4. Not all of them have the raised trunk and spare tire. Mine has a flat trunk with way more space, but instead of a spare tire it has a patch kit.
I really haven't paid attention to car review blogs on RU-vid for at least 3 years but this one caught my attention. Great quality. Also love how you review cars of the past. Kinda nostalgic, subbed :)
I really like your reviews, have been watching for about a year now, just subscribed now for some reason. Hearing the opinions of a regular guy is great after becoming bored with the major outlets that only seem to care about cars that get to 60 in less than 4 sec. Keep it up, and good luck!
I love Volvos they're so unique, since SAAB is gone this is all I have left for new moderately unique cars. If you ever get a chance you should try and find a SAAB TurboX those things are awesome
We have a 2015 and got Volvo roof cross bars and a cargo box for trips. Added 18 cu ft to the 12 cu ft trunk. Even room to toss a compact spare in the box.
I can confirm that nobody knows what it is. I own a l 07 volvo s60 and I get asked sometimes what car that really is because it's one of those cars that aren't shown as a flashy car. It does what it's supposed to do and does it right. A decently fun but comfortable as hell car that gets me one place to another.
I've never seen this polestar edition before :o Imho I think it should have the polestar body color :) We've had a S60 about 4 years ago, it is really a solid nice car, especially the tank-like feeling when closing the doors! As always, awesome review :D
Spyder423 I know they have their polestar team, but to my knowledge all the cars they produce are in low numbers. I am saying they need to make something in large quantity.
Most of all the other reviews of this car enthusiasts say that the backseats are cramped. You're the only one that said it's spacious. I'm trying to figure it out myself.
Hopefully you'll get a chance to review a C30 T5 manual, they are dirt cheap in the used market now and like this S60 I feel like they are so underrated. They look so cool and if you put a good catback on them they sound like a Gallardo lol. I was really thinking about getting one awhile back.
AnotherSiGuy I didn't think they were available in a manual, if they are then it would be a great option. I drove one probably 7 years ago that was automatic but it was a lot of fun.
I was heading toward Lexus IS or GS 350, rear legroom is terrible on pre facelift IS and I really wondered what the S60 was like in the rear, great review. This has been very helpful. I misheard him I thought he said T5, I really like the V60 wagon…..
I had a C30 R-Design for two years and it was a great pocket rocket. I took the catalytic converter and exhaust off and sounded exactly like a Lamborghini Gallardo. Seriously.
This car isn't trying to be something its not, and I really like that. Volvo has always been one to make cars have weird quirks,and I think more manufacturers should take notice. It seems like just about every car produced in the past 2 or 3 years is just so...boring. At least the cars in the average consumer price range. I like that you could genuinely tell this car was fun for you to drive!
Just found one of these low mileage for my housemate. I don't think she has any idea of what she's driving other than that she was pulled over by a cop the first day driving, and pissed off some guy on the road. :) Going to look for a C30 for her as I think it's probably easier to drive than this. She wishes she had a Mitsubishi Eclipse which she is still looking for and I just shake my head in disbelief. I have a V50 and love it.
You didn't really touch on the Polestar package that car has. Which is basically a factory Volvo tune. Its not a standard option to get that badge you have to pay 1200$ for it
Wonderful review again Matt ! I have to say I was never a fan of the S / V60. Even did a review on one a while back. All the controls felt totally weird and odd to me. Nothing about the car felt sporty to me. I doubt AWD and more power would change my impressions. I would never get this car over anything from germany. The wagon is also smaller than a Golf hatchback :D
Volvo’s are low key bad af. I have a S60 that totally flew under the radar for me when I was looking to buy a new car. After testing driving it and a ton of research I never knew how much I’d actually love my S60. Great quality great reliability super fun to drive and just all around one of the greatest buys I’ve ever made.
I've been looking for a new car for over a year and have driven everything on the market without much success. The best of the worst cars I've driven was an Audi S3. However, I just drove one of these today and I'm surprised to admit, that I liked the Volvo quite a bit. Its an immensely comfortable car. It feels a little big and though (My DD is a JCW Mini). The suspension soaked up bumps well, but it had good road feel. It handled well but had a touch of understeer. Acceleration was good, but the Audi S3 and BMW 235IX have it beat. Hearing the turbo valves was cool. The transmission was ok, but could use some work. Overall, I was very impressed and would rank the V60 T6R quite high. If Volvo could make the car a touch smaller/lighter and improve the transmission, I'd buy one. I'd like to see how this compares to the new Jag XE?...
My 2 year lease on my 2015 R--Design was just up and I test drove the Jaguar XE 35T and the 2016 R-Design (what is now a rare one--it doesn't have the E-Drive and still kicks out 354lbs. of torque). The XE had a smoother ride but the R-Design is way quicker, even in "regular"mode, and then when you slide it into Sport mode it just takes off. The XE's Sport mode made an almost imperceptible difference. Overall I much preferred the R-Design--and signed up for a new, 3 year lease.
Thanks for the review. I'm a big Volvo fan, especially of the new gen S60/V60. Would you be able to do a review of the V60 at Harrison Auto Sales? Thanks!
If you can get around its somewhat heavy weight and transverse FWD-based layout, this is a better buy than a Lexus IS350 and Audi S3. An S4 would be faster & handle better, but they are getting far too common for my taste & Audi's reliability as well as maintenance cost will be higher than a Volvo. Sadly, the T6 version now has ditched the aging (but fun) 3.0 liter Inline 6 turbo for the now ubiquitous 2.0 liter Inline 4. Interestingly it is Twincharged, which should make it somewhat interesting, but the R-design no longer has the eye-popping numbers the 3.0 Inline 6 had.
wonder if you tested the r with the optional 19 inch wheels, that would further create harshness. the standard 18 iches make it drive more volvo like (mushy)
Not a fan of this car. I love the seats, but nothing more really. The seats are amazing I have to say. But I love the way the older S60 R looks and sounds. That thing is heavenly, and of course it comes with a 6MT. :)
Guys, Can anybody share their experience with a 2014 Rdesign? I'm looking at a used low mile (20k) How's reliability? Is there something I should pay special attention to?
