Volvo S60 D5

We're just back from driving the new Volvo S60 – we've now had a chance to drive the most popular diesels, the D3 and D5, as well as the range-topping T6 petrol.

It's an important car for Volvo, the new S60. Tired of being also-rans with the 850 and S60, the Swedes are now aiming for a much sportier marketplace. Nothing less than best in class handling, in fact. Read the caveats and you'll see that actually refers to front-wheel drive compact execs – so the S60 must beat the Audi A4 and Alfa 159. No great shakes.

A Volvo best in class to drive? Whatever next!

Yes, there's a more youthful vibe going on with the new 2010 Volvo S60. We lost count of the number of mentions of 'driving pleasure', 'dynamic' and 'sporty' – it was like being on a German car launch. For starters, the Steve Mattin exterior is marvellously eye-catching. It's wedgy, low slung, so much more interesting than a 3-series silhouette. The rear end is especially pretty, but those bug-eyed front headlamps and day-running LEDs will take some getting used to. Overall, though, the new S60 looks good in our test car's burnt copper paint. Slippery, too, with its aero-friendly 0.28 drag coefficient.

Inside the S60 is more evolutionary. In a good way. Volvo interiors are a lesson in classy understatement and the S60's is no different. The floating stack, uncluttered layouts, sensible ergonomics – this is a comfy, cool place to sit. Needless to say the chairs are quite supportive too and you'll be comfy after long stints at the wheel.

Step into the back seats and you'll pay for that swoopy back end. The doors are narrow and legroom is tighter than many rivals. Space for feet is seriously pinched, too, and the middle seat is near useless for adults. Volvo says it's bigger than the outgoing S60 launched in 2000 and it might be fine for kids, but don't buy an S60 for chauffeuring duties. That's what the bigger, airport-spec S80's for.

resoures : car