Volvo S60/V60 R-Design: What's The Deal?

So yesterday, I noticed that these are things that exist:

Spec sheet shows that they are AWD, auto-only (yeah, I know), and have a transversely mounted inline six with a turbo that makes a healthy 325hp and 350+ tq. Apparently, it's a leftover of the Ford/Mazda/Volvo/Land Rover relationship, and shares a chassis with the Fusion, Mazda 6, and the Evoque. The interiors look cool, and the front seats are said to be amazing. They are also fairly cheap on the used market, with clean examples in the low-mid $20k range, with wagons just a bit more. They sticker new for nearly $50k.  

So, what's the deal? Are these complete garbage, or are they just a forgotten car that no one remembers? They seem like decent daily driver material for those who live where it snows. 

In for answers. The Polestar flavor of the wagon is a thing of beauty. 

I ruled them out for me due to the wagon hatch being very small and I not a fan of the interior.  They are also nowhere near as fast as they should be with 300+ hp.  The The Haldex AWD system is also something I will never go near again.

If they have depreciated enough they may be worth a second look.

I assume that Volvo has abandoned their confusing if quirky labeling nomenclature.  The number after T traditionally meant power output.  T5 meant a minimum of 225hp, T6 meant a minimum of 275hp, T8 meant a minimum of 325hp.  So that should be labeled T8, if they were still doing that.

Damn. I had a long post typed up and it doesn’t seem to have posted. I’ll have to retry later. 

Long story short, we bought DW a new 2017 S60 Inscription Platinum, the next model down, about 5 months ago. T5 AWD  sedan.

We love it as a daily. We love the styling inside and out, and the interior materials are very nice. 

Its got about 245 hp / 260 tq, and that’s enough to move its 3800 pounds without much trouble. More power would only be better. The trans is crisp and smooth, and it has both manumatic and a sport mode, which tightens up the shifts and holds gears longer. 

Electric power steering feels pretty good, if not fantastic. It is variably weighted by vehicle speed, and you can adjust it via the interface. Suspension is firm but not crashy. 

The P3 Volvos are the Ford EUCD platform, which isn't the same as the CD4 upon which the Fusion and Mazda 6 are based.  It's confusing since they are all roughly the same size and shape.  Surprisingly, a lot of the components are beefed-up versions of the P1 platform, which was the Volvo S40/V50/C30, the last Mazda 3, and also the current Ford Focus.  The T6, which in this case is an actual turbocharged straight-six, is a reliable and torquey powerplant.  The auto transmission is an Aisin 6-spd with 'Geartronic' manual mode.  I believe you could get paddle shifters starting around '14.  All T6 cars were equipped with the Haldex AWD.

The R-Design package typically means some special interior treatments, satin silver mirror caps, a mildly tightened suspension and the Polestar ECU tune good for an extra 25HP.  Those are capable of walking away from my S80 V8, courtesy of the extra turbo torque.  The ride is nice;  softer than a full-on sports sedan, but not wallowy.  My S80 is also a P3 platform car, just a little bit longer.  I can vouch for them making great daily drivers.   

FWIW, that 6 speed AW trans was one of the things I refused to compromise on when i went looking for my R.  Everything with the TF80 has a significantly stronger angle drive/collar setup, and everything with that trans has a beefy Haldex unit.  (Max 1000Nm except for the V8 SUV which gets a monster rated to 1500). It ain't the lighter duty stuff put behind (next to?) the manual transmissions or the 5 speed autos.

And yes, they seem to depreciate rapidly for some reason.  May as well take advantage of it.

My daily driver is a 2004 V70R with about 120k.  I purchased it a few years ago as backup driver for my family but after I drove it home it's mine!  It is a turbo and is factory delivered with massive Brembo brakes.  The AWD is awesome and it is equipped with variable suspension.  I put snow tires on it and it goes everywhere so well my Dodge 2500 4WD is parked unless I need to tow.  I drove (no co-driver) from Jacksonville FL to Albany NY non-stop (only for fuel, fast food, and restroom breaks) averaging 76 miles per hour and got out without a muscle cramp!  I would love it in a manual 6 speed gearbox but other than that it's a great car that I'll drive for a long time to come

Aspen said:

I ruled them out for me due to the wagon hatch being very small and I not a fan of the interior.  They are also nowhere near as fast as they should be with 300+ hp.  The The Haldex AWD system is also something I will never go near again.

If they have depreciated enough they may be worth a second look.

This is why I ruled them out. I had an 850 turbo wagon and 01 V70 T5  for years. I could put EVERYTHING in those. Then somehow this small tapered thing took over and its just not as useful anymore.  Swedish utilitarian practical family car > China/Ford/Luxury but quirky