Luxury Review: 2022 Volvo S60 B5 R-Design

After reviewing a lengthy run of SUV and pickup models, a recent road test of the 2022 Volvo S60 made for a refreshing drive. The B5 AWD R-Design opens at $52,750, with optional equipment and packages (including the nearly $4,000 audiophile stereo) pushing this as-tested sedan’s ask to a tick over $63,000.

My tester shipped with a highly fuel-efficient engine and fantastic cruising range, as well as a $3,700 Bowers & Wilkins stereo upgrade that’ll often coax drivers into a few extra spins around the block to enjoy a favourite song. Of the hundreds of hours I’ve spent listening to car stereos on the open highway, this is one of the very best.

The S60’s sleek skin is carefully tailored over the panels and wheels that are a set of optional triple-spoke diamond cuts wrapped in a low-profile tire. Drivers open the S60’s door and drop down deep into its cabin, landing on a buttery-soft sport bucket seat. I’ve noted excellent seats in Volvos for years, but on one particular day during this test, six combined hours of highway closures translated into 11 hours of nearly uninterrupted seat time. Even after half a day in these seats, my spine had no complaints.

luxury review: 2022 volvo s60 b5 r-design

2022 Volvo S60 B5 R-Design Photo by Justin Pritchard

I managed over 1,800 kilometres in this tester, across a wide range of conditions and situations and have quite the insight into this sedan. It’s all very anti-crossover in the way it looks and feels, so if you’ve spent too much time driving a premium crossover lately — as many Canadians are choosing luxury SUVs over luxury sedans — and want to switch it up for a highly-efficient premium sedan, you should test drive the S60. That’s especially true if you’ll use your new S60 for a lot of highway miles and road trips.

On the road, the S60 feels light on its feet, mostly effortless at the wheel, and easygoing on your backside. Drivers sit low, nearer the centre of gravity, and in a position that sees you surrounded by the dash, not sitting up above it. The relatively low ride height and sporty wheel and tire combo had me expecting a stiff and stressful drive on rough northern Ontario highways and backroads. On these craggy surfaces, many sporty sedans crash into bumps, jolt drivers and occupants, and exhibit high noise levels from the suspension and tires. This tester performed better than expected on these surfaces, exhibiting plenty of carefully-controlled suspension travel that tends to keep body motions from getting too dramatic, as well as a carefully-calibrated layer of softness to the initial action of the dampers that helps filter the brittle, crashing, and jarring sensations common on very rough roads.

Steering stays straight and stable over even the roughest of these, reducing driver workload. Noise levels from the suspension are elevated in this setting, though consistent. You hear the suspension doing its job, but the sound is generally muted and free of the louder pops, clanks, or smacks that are generally expected. Still, my tester’s interior did exhibit a higher level of panel and trim noise than appreciated, with clicks, pops, and ticks materializing throughout when the going gets rough.

2022 Volvo S60 B5 R-Design Photo by Justin Pritchard

All said, on rough surfaces where few vehicles do a very good job of maintaining ride comfort, my tester did a pretty good job of doing just that. Keep your speed reasonable, and you’ll find the S60 soaks up most of the abuse with little fuss.

The B5 engine is a unique configuration of Volvo’s do-it-all 2.0-litre four-cylinder, deployed across all models with unique selections of power-adders and electrified components to serve up a variety of performance and efficiency levels.

My tester ran the 2.0L engine with turbocharger and electrified mild hybrid system — basically a belt-driven motor-generator attached to the engine that’s fed power from a self-recharging battery. In addition to the turbocharger, this Belt Integrated Starter Generator (BISG) boosts power and saves fuel at the same time, since it can switch on the fly from generating electricity for storage to applying stored electricity directly to the gas engine for an on-demand boost.

The battery that drives this system self recharges automatically while you drive, so if you can imagine an electric supercharger that makes its own electricity, you’re in the right ballpark.

Total output is 247 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The electric power boost is highly apparent at very low revs, whereas slight throttle inputs that barely register on most cars are met with a pleasing forward shove. While this type of mild-hybrid can’t drive the car solely on electric power, the direct electric boost makes it perfect for the light-footed driver since there’s rarely a need to break 1,500 revs. For everyone else, 2,000 revs should be plenty, 97 per cent of the time.

Opened up, the powertrain responds carefully, taking a moment to ensure a smooth downshift and keeping engine noise levels to a nicely-muted growl that seeps in from the background as redline approaches. Acceleration is responsive, thanks to that low-end pulling power, though firepower-first drivers have better choices for their dollar.

2022 Volvo S60 B5 R-Design Photo by Justin Pritchard

From the driver’s seat, the electrification is all but invisible. Drivers will hardly notice a thing — other than the sharper low-rev throttle response, the distinctive lack of starter noise at engine startup, and a small battery recharging animation that’s displayed whenever drivers brake as a reminder to stretch out stops to maximize recharging.

Despite its sporty R-Design looks, my tester isn’t likely to satisfy the driver after maximum thrills. There are no paddle shifters, the drive-mode selector is buried within a few touch-screen sub-menus, and on the windiest backroads I visited, I wished for a faster steering ratio to steer the car with my wrists, not my arms. If you’re looking for a recommendation on a highly engaging and fuel-efficient luxury sedan, consider the Acura TLX, which I found to deliver a sharper and more eager handling feel, and a more entertaining powertrain than the S60.

The S60’s brake pedal feel may leave some enthusiasts wishing for a little more precision, too. My tester’s brake-by-wire system impressed with eager initial bite and very strong panic stop performance, even with hot brakes. Still, in the mid-range of the pedal action, some drivers will find the pedal feels too numb and difficult to modulate. This makes it easier to work the brakes smoothly, but doesn’t feel as precise as some will like. In those panic stops, you’ll feel the pedal bottom out as the car does the work. It pulls down fast, but lacks the buildup of tension most drivers expect as the brake pedal approaches the firewall.

2022 Volvo S60 B5 R-Design Photo by Justin Pritchard

The most enthusiastic drivers may be left wishing for a stronger connection to some of the S60’s controls.

At night, headlight performance is exceptional, with steerable beams that keep light pointed right where it’s needed. Drivers can even slightly point the steering wheel to send more light in one direction or the other, with just a subtle swerve in their lane. You’ll quickly take confidence in this lighting system’s ability to reduce eye strain after dark, and to provide early warning of potential surprises.

The S60 B5 R-Design is spirited and eager enough, but its real talent lies in its well-mannered drive, well-tuned suspension, and that stereo and lighting system that will quickly become some of your new favourite gadgets. For the light-footed driver after smooth, quiet, and efficient cruising over all-out reflexes and firepower, it’s a particularly good setup that I’d call one of the best long-distance driving machines I’ve encountered this year.

Keyword: Luxury Review: 2022 Volvo S60 B5 R-Design

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