D5 SE Lux Nav 215 Start/Stop 4dr Saloon

Superb

The word superb doesn't really do my S60 justice. I've often bought ex-company cars at 3-4 years old due to the fact that they're well maintained and usually in good condition and my S60 was no exception. Bought in March 2015 at 104k and just over three years old, it was my first Volvo.

I wasn't really sure what to expect, other than comfortable seats and hopefully reliability and it hasn't disappointed on either of these points. Reliability has been faultless so far after 7 months and over 17,500 miles and today, as I roll over 122k, all I've had is a routine major service/cambelt and some 4-wheel laser alignment as our local government doesn't bother to fix our roads. The seats are amazing - no other word for it. I've done Northampton to Glasgow three times and got out after 5.5hours at the wheel without flinching. Even passengers in the back comment on how comfortable it is.

Equipment on this, the top spec version is superb. HDD Nav, Bluetooth, radar cruise, Volvo City Safety, USB/Bluetooth music, parking sensors/camera, LDS, Driver Alert, Xenon directional headlights....the list goes on. I've also added gloss black 18" Fortuna alloys to mine which sets the Metallic Savile Grey paintwork off a treat.

Ride is slightly firm, although mostly compliant except on the worst urban roads and the handling is keen, with reasonable steering feedback, despite what must be worn control arms at this mileage.

This brings me on to the engine, the main reason why I wanted a Volvo....it's the 5-cylinder D5 and it's quite simply wonderful. This 215 version has two turbos so you can literally pull from 1000rpm to over 4500rpm (in a diesel!!) and not run out of puff. Any speed, any gear, put your foot down and go. Simple. Combine that with the offbeat growl at 2500rpm and the V8-like howl after 3500rpm and driving it fairly hard becomes completely addictive.

That said, it has switchable Volvo DrivE mode - economy mode engaged remaps the torque and reduces the power slightly to aid economy and normal mode gives you the full 215bhp.

I do 70% motorway driving and 30% around town and I'm averaging 49.6mpg - decidedly impressive given the size and power of the car and the fact that I don't hang about.

I've driven the newer twin-turbo D4 and its very impressive....but it's flat and dull-sounding in comparison to the D5 and the real-world economy improvement is negligible.

In summary - it's brilliant. Nuff said.

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