I just got mine 2020. 86K miles. I appreciate the car. I don't race on the track with it. So, the review is dead on correct. Its a great street car and very capable and fun to drive. I love my S60
FYI, Volvo has done a few upgrades to the R-Design for the 2013 model year, a few of the biggest upgrades are the switch from a IV generation Haldex AWD to a lighter and more advanced V generation Haledex AWD so those 0-60 numbers should be lower AND a slight re-tune of the gear ratios. Not to mention Volvo addressed complaints about the brakes and the front rotors have gone from 12.4 inches to 13.2 inches to make cooling more effective and better wear.
I was at a large corporate function a few weeks ago, and I couldn't even begin to count how many black S4 sedans there were scattered around the parking lot. They must be standard issue. I'll take the bright red Volvo.
I honestly don't care how it does on the track. John says that in real life on regular streets, it delivers. I don't really care how it compares to BMW and Audi either. It has a different feel and personality and I like it because it is not German feeling. I don't even need the R version. I'd take the softer-riding regular model but with the fastest engine in it. I like this car.
I've had a 2012 s60 t5 for almost 5 years now, and it's never let me down. The interior looks almost exactly the same and is VERY comfortable. Mine, unfortunately, is only FWD, but the turbo 5 cylinder is still a capable engine. 0-60 in around 6.3 seconds, which is not crazy fast but still peppy enough. I'd definitely recommend getting one, but I'd aim for the AWD version.
Around town it has so much torque you barely touch the throttle. And awd's most fun attribute is that you can floor it in turns and not have to worry about oversteer or torque steer. It just goes.
@@topgeartim he's correct. Most folks get around 4.8s. Another post mentioned the 2013 model received a version 5 Haldex awd system. I have a 2012 with version 4. Gear ratios are slightly different on the 13. I'm planning on getting the Polestar tune this spring. Makes it even with the R-design as the difference was only a software update. Going from 300 to 325hp / 325 to 354 torque
It's a tank, but smaller than you'd think for the weight and class. Heavy discounting makes them even more price competitive, just be prepared for sharp depreciation.
Why are there people bitching about the price? Go and see how much more expensive the Audi S4 is than this, or better yet, go and see how a base 335i is more expensive than an S60 R-Design with options! The seats are more comfortable, the ride is nicer, the interior is just as good as the others and let's not forget that Audi has horrible reliability, BMW is merely average and Mercedes is still behind Volv
there is a reason they call it R-design and not R cause the true R series volvos would destroy the new volvos on track i had a 2004 S60 R and that car would destroy corners and the brakes could make your face hurt they stopped so good
The true R model also would rattle your fillings on bad roads. The true R was great but the ride quality was hard to deal with in advanced mode and still had too many jolts in sport mode. Comfort was OK but never settled enough. The R design is a good compromise between comfort and sport.
So, basically if they would bring back the better adjustable suspension and the better brembo brakes from the 2004-2007 R it would do better... and what about the manual while we're at it? Or, even better, just put the Polestar out with it's manual and brakes... in quantity, it will drop that price down a bit...
"unlike rivals, no true manual is available". True, but given the 5% take rate on those with other brands, it's hardly a big factor for 95% of drivers.
Volvo S60 outperformed all the Germans in the IIHS Small Overlap Crash test - Mercedes C-Class was just pitiful! The 2013 S60 R-Design has upgraded brakes.
S60. More reliable, less expensive (including maintenance). Imo it’s better looking, more personality, more unique, but just as many features. It’s not as quick tho; that Audi is a monster in that regard.
In Volvo's past, they were nothing more than cars and wagons that were safety conscious. The R-design puts it in the performance, but it's no Mercedes AMG or BMW M performance package. Very few Volvos that I know have manual transmissions.
This is a good review as are all the Motorweek videos but my God, is the writing that over the top and cheesy on purpose? I know all their videos are like that.
Definitely ugly compared to the old car. I have a last generation XC70 and while they haven't screwed up the front of the new XC70 like they have this S60, they added more lights to the back and though I've tried, I just can't come around to the new look. I would like to buy a 2012 but I'm not sure if it's worth it. They should evolve the look on cars, not radically changed them.
This review fails to highlight that compared to most of the competition, the seats are thrones, the ride is far better than in the S4 and the interior quality is up there with Merc and BMW.
