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AUTO REVIEW
Volvo V60 sport wagon
A fun-to-drive car with Scandinavian roots
By Steve Schutz, MD
The 2015 Volvo V60 sport wagon is very cause all new Volvos for the next five to 10 as “just right” as Volvo, but they can’t.
Euro. It’s sleek, sophisticated, luxurious and years will look a lot like the new V60. Volvo clearly took pains to integrate the
fuel efficient. But it’s also smaller than other
vehicles in its price range, which will limit its QUALITY MATERIALS ARE NEW tech we all enjoy inside modern vehicles —
appeal. Inside, the V60 benefits from a new em- satellite radio, smartphone compatibility, sat-
nav and the like — with a touch of style, in
The V60 is certainly handsome. Long, low phasis on quality materials. Owners of Volvos this case Scandinavian style. For years I’ve
and wide are good adjectives to describe its from 10 years ago remember interiors that been hoping Volvo would give car-buyers an
stance, and Volvo designers added tasteful ac- seemed to brag, “We saved money here, and interior with the functionality and inspired
cents such as a large grille, aluminum-colored here, and here.” The company obviously lis- good looks of any Bang and Olufsen prod-
trim, and attractive head- and taillights. The tened to those owner complaints and ad- uct. Anyone who’s encountered one of those
headlights in particular are well done, man- dressed them in the new V60. unique devices knows that they’re gorgeous
aging to look bright and modern without to look at and elegant to use, yet totally dif-
being yet another Audi knock-off. While nu- One area that needed no correcting was ferent from a Sony, Samsung or Apple prod-
merous styling elements subtly connect the the seats, and the V60’s are — as usual for uct. Is the V60 cabin as good as that? No, but
new V60 with classic Volvos from 40 years Volvo — best in class. Seemingly crafted it gives you what you want in a luxury-car in-
ago, the new wagon introduces a new design specifically for whoever’s driving it, the V60’s terior with a nice Scandinavian accent.
language for Sweden’s last surviving car com- seats support you during spirited driving and
pany. Volvo executives hope you like it, be- comfort you on long trips. I don’t get how Otherwise, the sense you get from inside
other luxury brands can’t seem to make seats the V60 is that it’s small. Not small in an
44 San Antonio Medicine • April 2015
