Volvo S60 T5 2019 UK first drive

For now, that means the T5, with the T meaning petrol and the number relating to its power rating, which seems to go up to eight rather than 11, disappointingly. It has 247bhp and front-wheel drive, although you can have up to 394bhp and all-wheel drive in the US in the T8, and [Volvo spokesperson taps nose] “more specifications and powertrains will arrive here later”, too.

Meanwhile, the T5 drives through an eight-speed automatic gearbox and sits on Volvo’s SPA (Scalable Product Architecture), which underpins all of its big cars. It’s a mostly steel monocoque in which the engine sits at the front and is transversely mounted and, in other Volvo models, can have electrical assistance for both front and rear axles in place of the diesels that Volvo is currently repulsed by.

Inside, there’s even less difference between Volvos than there is on the outside. Volvo has settled into a Scandi-cool way of doing things, with good seats, a widely adjustable driving position, a round steering wheel, clear dials and a vertical touchscreen that’s relatively easy to navigate in the scheme of things but still makes you control too many functions from it, in the name of removing physical buttons. So it looks good, works satisfactorily and, at least, reacts quickly to inputs and remembers you’ve turned off lane keep assist the next time you get in the car. There’s a decent-sized boot and plenty of space in the back for grown adults to sit behind the same in the front.

There are adaptive dampers and drive modes, which are among the few things selectable via separate buttons on the centre console, slightly needlessly given that you’ll put it in one mode and leave it there for the next three years. And I suspect you’ll get not far into the good side of 30mpg whichever mode you pick. And whichever mode it’s in, the S60 is a largely amiable companion, too. Mature, sophisticated and largely uncomplicated in feel.

Volvo’s latest four-cylinder engine family can lack refinement, depending on its application, but I’ve no such qualms with the 2.0-litre here. It starts, goes and revs quietly and freely, with an eight-speed gearbox that slurs nicely and seems to react and predict well. It’s less impressive mooching to a halt, if you take pleasure in stopping without a jolt, because the stop/start judders the engine off and with it your last couple of feet of finesse. Which is not how a relaxing car should be.

I’d have one of these over an Audi A4 or Mercedes C-Class and pretty much all conventional large family saloons. I think a BMW 3 Series’ superior ride and handling would sway me, but I’m not sure the handling of an Alfa Romeo Giulia or Jaguar XE or Kia Stinger would be enough to make me ignore just how nice the Volvo is inside.