We drive the new Volvo S60. Can it match the likes of the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes Benz C-Class, Audi A4 and Lexus IS 350? We find out.

When we were young, if your dad did okay in business he bought a VW Jetta. If he did really well he bought a BMW 3 Series. And if he did really really well, he bought a Jag. Nowadays though, almost 90% of the business world is tied up in that fuzzy middle-management area and Jags are reserved for Government people.

Add to that the invention of the residual, and you’ll find almost everyone is driving a 3 Series BMW. You might even be thinking of buying one too. Or an Audi A4, or Mercedes C-Class or if your company is particular flush or if you happen to work for Shell Oil, a Lexus IS.

But, I’m here to tell you that you’d be making a mistake and what you should actually buy is a Volvo S60. Specifically a Volvo S60 T6 like this one, which I’ve had the pleasure of driving the past week.

While the Merc, Audi, BMW and Lexus wildly compete for attention in a sort of automotive version of Super Smash Bros©, the Volvo quietly flies under the radar attracting almost no attention whatsoever. And this is a good thing.

Okay, I’ve just graduated to middle-management. Tell me exactly why I shouldn’t buy one of the competition?

Mention to your subordinates that you’re about to take delivery of a shiny new BMW 3 Series and all hell will break loose at your place of work. The gossip grapevine will be in full swing and eventually even senior management will hear about “This gross miss-use of company money!” stunting your corporate ladder ambitions right there and then. Not cool.

Same goes for the Merc. Audi? Well, An A4 Audi is a good bet. But then no one would notice you ever! The Lexus? Can you imagine trying to justify your fuel expense claim from your new Lexus IS 350? C’mon Lexus superduperturbo charged 4-cylinders is where it’s at. Not enormous 3.5 litre 6 cylinder boats. That ship has sailed Lexus. Sailed.

We all know that s**t only flows one way – downhill. And after a long day at the office, you want all that s**t behind you. You don’t want to get into something sporty. You don’t want to worry about fuel bills either. Or that what you’re driving is just an expensive Toyota. What you want is to get in, put it in drive and relax all the way home.

The Volvo does that, it’s super comfortable, after all it’s a Volvo. Sure it’ll do the sporty thing when provoked, very well in fact. Flick the gear lever to the right and you fire off gear changes to hearts content – via slick steering wheel mounted flappy paddles. The T6 version is powered by Volvo’s new 4 cylinder turbo-supercharged engine meaning its endowered with 225kW and 400Nm of torque. Combined with the Swede’s new 8-speed automatic and you have an effortlessly comfortable cruiser. I have no doubt you could drive this Volvo to Joburg without stopping and feel as fresh when you got there as when you set off.

It’s frugal too, this little 4 cylinder turbo promises just 6 litres per 100km and if you feather the throttle and pay proper attention you will easily achieve that on long distance runs. Everyday city driving and you’ll see that figure rise to around the 8-9 litres per 100km. Still, not bad.

The Volvo S60 T6 costs a whopping R539 900 but before you dismiss it as ludicrously overpriced. Let’s look at the competition. A 328i Automatic costs R525 770. The C250 is R536 649 and the thirsty Lexus R507 400. The Audi by comparison costs R473 000, which I think must be a mistake, nonetheless I implore you, don’t do it. Don’t buy an Audi and fade completely into obscurity.

Over half a million Rand. That is a lot. What do I get for my money?

Quite a lot actually. Electrically powered front’s seats – drivers with memory function, full leather all round, climate control, two TFT displays – a dynamic instrument panel screen and a large centre dashboard unit, cornering lights – which help you see around corners at night, keyless entry and drive, engine stop start function, park assist sensors, rain sensing wipers, auto light on and off, auto dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth, a high performance sound system, city safety – which stops you front hitting other cars at low speeds, collision warning with full auto break – again stops you from hitting other cars and people, and airbags everywhere. Phew. Safe to say that the S60 comes pretty fully loaded.

Okay, let’s wrap this up.

The Volvo S60 is understated, not in an Audi A4 kind of way though. Its classy make no mistake, restrained and trustworthy. Kind of like what middle-management should be. There’s no pent up anger and shouty overtones in a Volvo. It’s very comfortable, well specced, powerful yet frugal, and very safe. What more could you want really?

Also, there’s a good chance some of the senior execs at your office drive a Volvo, not a new shiny, sexy one like the S60 – probably an old, staid boring Volvo of yesteryear. Never mind that though, when they hear you’ve ordered a Volvo backs will be slapped, friends for life made and succession planning implemented. Job done then.

Thumbs up:
Understated
High standard kit
Uncomplicated/comfortable

Thumbs down:
Pricey
Expensive safety options
Unfortunately not a German