DRIVEN + VIDEO: The Volvo S60 Gets A Bit Roughed Up In This Consumer Reports' Review — Should Volvo JUST Build SUVs?

In its latest review, Consumer Reports takes on the all-new Volvo S60. The S60 was one of the company's volume selling vehicles.

It makes sense given it was always priced competitively and there were some variants to appeal to the masses. Now though, we just wonder why the Swedish brand isn't just building sport-utility vehicles.

The XC90, XC60 and XC40 are hot items.

And in this Consumer Reports' review, it seems like the publication is taking Volvo to task. Some of the gripes are a bit peculiar, at best. Take, for example, the complaints about the front seatbacks having hard plastic — which entry-level luxury car doesn't do this? And then the "issue" of the seats being low? Just seems a bit silly, really.

Having said that, we've got to ask: What do YOU think of this first impression of the all-new S60 by Consumer Reports?



Volvo’s sleek and minimalist styling gives the new S60 some curb appeal. But in our tests, the compact luxury sports sedan falls behind competitors and comes with Volvo’s complicated infotainment system.

Truthy - 5/25/2019 9:23:51 AM

+3 Boost

I cannot think of an "entry-level" luxury car that has hard plastic seat backs. Entry level mass market compacts maybe.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 5/25/2019 9:50:50 AM

+3 Boost

I think modern day Porsche 911's have hard plastic seat backs.

Vette71 - 5/25/2019 12:37:43 PM

+1 Boost

But nobody sits behind them, unlike the Volvos and other cars.

MDarringer - 5/25/2019 10:52:09 AM

+2 Boost

Modern Volvos are far too expensive for what they are. Volvo is a "Buick" brand at "Mercedes" prices. Volvo's strategy of moving upmarket has not worked well. Sales have not flourished. Meanwhile, the Geely mainstream crudeness screams through. Volvo engines are coarse, which might be minimally tolerable in a mainstream car but absolutely unforgivable in a wannabe premium car. The Lexus ES is simply far better for the same price. Volvo is having a bit of dealer flight at the moment, so if you buy one, your dealer may go poof.

jtz7 - 5/25/2019 7:01:05 PM

+2 Boost

If building just SUVs is the solution then why are Ford and GM still closing plants?

MDarringer - 5/25/2019 7:17:30 PM

0 Boost

#IgnorantQuestion

TomM - 5/27/2019 11:58:03 PM

+2 Boost

Obviously - Ford and GM are closing CAR Assembly Plants.
Today - many of these plants are so old - that it is easier to produce a new Plant to switch that much tooling - and come back with more automation and lower cost to produce. Add in that Electric Platforms cannot really use the assmbly lines of the old plants too.

But clearly the problem with Volvo is that they are NOT perceived as Premium Product by the public (They were always one step below) - but they are being PRICED that way - far too high for what they offer. That worked only for a short while - and then sales started to dry up.

qwertyfla1 - 5/25/2019 8:04:34 PM

+1 Boost

Volvo make good looking SUV's that hardly anyone buys. I think Volvo will go the way of Saab in 5-10 years as they become irrelevant to most buyers and many long term Volvo drivers are souring on the brand due to the asinine expensive repair costs once the warranties run out.

MDarringer - 5/25/2019 8:56:16 PM

+1 Boost

Geely should have taken Volvo down market and more mainstream