Pros:
- Gutsy turbocharged V6
- Well-balanced ride
- High quality interior
- Good fuel efficiency
Cons:
- Outdated 6-speed automatic transmission
- Handling is a bit soft for a high performance sports sedan
Ask any car enthusiast what they think of Volvo, and most will probably comment on the unique boxy exterior design, or the brand’s extensive focus on safety, or the practicality of a wagon with more trunk space than most SUVs. Discussions of performance or driving excitement probably won’t enter the picture.
This might change, however, if you happen to talk to someone who used to own an 850R wagon or 950R sedan. I can still remember lining up next to a Volvo wagon at a freeway on-ramp, thinking I would easily scoot by, only to be left in the dust when the light turned green. These turbo-charged, sport tuned Volvos were the ultimate sheep in wolfs clothing, offering a high level of performance, while still being safe and practical.
Unfortunately, Volvo all but abandoned the idea of high performance over the years, and even the exterior design, while still unique, has become more soft and conforming. Luckily, it appears the suits in Gothenburg have taken notice, as 2012 marks the return of a legitimate Volvo sports sedan in the form of the S60 R-Design.
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