2006 Volvo S60 R

Virtually no correction is needed on the highway, even when the pavement oscillates and the S60 R rolls through repeated imperfections. You enjoy exuberant performance and utterly sure-footed handling, with excellent steering feel and responses, and without the penalty of a punishing ride.

Interior

Especially in Comfort mode, the ride is smoother than expected. Tautness is noticeable only on certain surfaces and substantial bumps and holes, which can yield curt reactions. In Sport mode, you notice more tension, but the ride doesn't change much. Advanced mode makes this sedan jumpier, but the ride is still tolerable.


One exception: When going over substantial bumps or lane dividers, especially in Comfort mode, the S60 R sometimes feels momentarily as if it's losing control and contact with the pavement, unsure what to do next. It recovers smartly and almost instantly, but that hazy moment of uncertainty is a bit disconcerting. Confident passing/merging is the rule. Tromping the gas to pass on the highway produces a brief delay, followed by a refined wallop of stirring force. Responding promptly, the nicely behaved automatic transmission yields no awkward shifts.


Highway mileage handily beats a number of performance cars. Premium fuel is required, but a test S60 R averaged 24 mpg on an 845-mile journey that included minimal city driving. Quiet overall, the S60 R emits an exhaust sound that's barely discernible from inside the car. Engine noise on acceleration is subtly satisfying, but far from menacing.


Front space is ample all around. Seats that offer superior support and are impressively comfortable for long hauls. The backseat is not so easy to enter, and neither spacious nor entirely comfortable once you're there. Toe space is okay and headroom good, but leg space is limited unless the front seat is pushed well forward. If it's well back, legroom shrinks to nearly none. Fully calibrated gauges are satisfactory in daylight, but lack full clarity at night. Though distinctive, the speedometer isn't always easy to read at a glance.