The world of sports sedans is a fascinatingly diverse place. You have everything from the everyday practicality of front-wheel-drive models like the Honda Accord Sport and Mazda6, to the extreme performance of machines like the Cadillac CTS-V or Mercedes-AMG E63. But in the middle, there’s a sweet spot, a sedan that blends everyday usability with a dash of driving excitement. This is where the 2019 Volvo S60 T6 R-Design carves out its niche.
Imagine a Venn diagram where “sporty” and “luxurious” overlap. The cars in this intersection need to be both family-friendly and fun to drive. They are the more attainable, sensible choices for drivers who want comfort and practicality but still crave an engaging drive after work, perhaps on a winding road rather than just a slow cruise. These are the ‘just right’ sedans, the Goldilocks of the automotive world.
Right in the heart of this overlap sits the 2019 Volvo S60 T6 R-Design. Its primary mission is to transport people comfortably and safely. However, with the R-Design designation, it’s also tasked with injecting some excitement into this practical package. It certainly has visual flair, but is it truly sporty, or just a stylish S60? As they say, beauty is more than skin deep.
R-Design Aesthetics: Sporty and Luxurious
Let’s start with the visuals. The 2019 Volvo S60 is already a handsome car in its standard form, but the R-Design package elevates its appearance further. Choosing the R-Design trim brings black exterior accents, unique wheels, specific seats, and importantly, a lowered and stiffened suspension compared to the standard S60. The added styling elements, combined with the vibrant Fusion Red paint, create a look that successfully balances sportiness and luxury. This is a delicate balance to achieve, and Volvo has managed it exceptionally well, at least in terms of aesthetics.
Interior Panache and Comfort
The same design philosophy extends to the interior of the 2019 Volvo S60 R-Design. It’s genuinely a pleasant place to be. Volvo seats are consistently praised by automotive journalists, and in this model, the praise is well-deserved. Like the exterior, the interior successfully balances comfort and support, a difficult task. Volvo has created seats that are both soft and firm in the right areas. They offer ample adjustability, and the seat heaters are remarkably effective. They hold you securely during spirited driving yet remain comfortable for long journeys. And they look good too. Volvo, please continue making seats like these forever.
From the driver’s seat, the S60 R-Design continues to impress. Assessing a car’s feel while stationary can often hint at the overall driving experience. The S60 R-Design feels upscale, modern, spacious, and distinctly different. It stands out positively in its segment. Forward visibility is excellent, and the ergonomics, in typical Volvo fashion, are superb. The interior is well-appointed, boasting genuine build quality and the sought-after Swedish design simplicity. The main downside is the sometimes slow response of the infotainment interface, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available, and the Sensus Connect center screen offers sharp resolution.
As a sedan, the 2019 S60 T6 R-Design performs admirably. The overall packaging is well-executed, offering ample space without feeling overly large. It’s a true sedan, not a fastback or “coupe-like” sedan as is common nowadays, meaning rear-seat passengers enjoy plenty of headroom and legroom, even for taller adults. This is a significant advantage.
Performance: T6 Engine and Driving Dynamics
So, the S60 R-Design excels in looks and passenger experience. But how does it fare as a sports sedan? This is where the picture becomes more complex. In essence, it strikes a balance between the standard, luxury-focused S60 and the high-performance Polestar Engineered T8 variant. However, a closer look reveals a mixed bag of attributes.
Let’s clarify the powertrain differences. What sets the T6 apart from the T5 and the top-tier T8 Polestar Engineered? While normally engine specs aren’t the most engaging topic, here they are crucial. Compared to the T5’s 250-hp turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder, the T6 adds a supercharger to the turbocharger, creating a twin-charged system. This boosts the T6’s output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. While not reaching the T8 Polestar Engineered’s impressive 415hp and 494lb-ft, it’s a significant step up. Considering the T6 R-Design AWD is also nearly 500 pounds lighter than the Polestar Engineered model, the performance proposition becomes more appealing. Positioned between the T5 and T8 in power, yet closer to the T5 in weight, the T6 R-Design promises a good level of performance.
Even with the mid-range T6 engine, power is certainly adequate. Switching the Drive Mode selector to Polestar Engineered (not to be confused with the standalone Polestar brand) sharpens the throttle response noticeably, creating the sensation of increased power, even if the actual output remains the same. The car accelerates strongly through the gears and feels brisk up to highway speeds, without a noticeable drop-off in power. The twin-charged engine produces some enjoyable boost sounds, but that’s where the auditory excitement ends. The engine isn’t particularly refined, and in normal driving, it’s rather uninspiring. It also lacks in the exhaust note department. In such a quiet and well-insulated car, a more aggressive exhaust sound would be welcome. As it is, it’s simply too muted.
Similarly, the transmission performs its duties well in normal driving but falters when pushed harder. Upshifts are quick, and downshifts are also reasonably prompt. However, even when using the paddle shifters, gear changes feel somewhat delayed, and the transmission’s reactions are a bit slow. Realistically, this will only be a concern for true driving enthusiasts and those who are particularly sensitive to such nuances. The average buyer likely won’t notice or mind the transmission’s occasional hesitancy or less-than-perfect shift timing. But in this aspect, the S60 reveals its mainstream origins.
The steering is also a point of slight disappointment. The car handles competently, especially for a 4,000+ pound all-wheel-drive sedan, but the steering feel is lacking. In Eco and Comfort modes, it’s predictably numb, which isn’t unexpected or problematic for everyday driving. Switching to Polestar Engineered mode adds noticeable weight to the steering, requiring more effort to turn the wheel. However, what’s still missing is any real feedback from the front end. The added weight doesn’t translate to increased information transmitted to the driver’s hands. And on-center, the steering remains quite dead, albeit with slightly more resistance.
Interestingly, this steering feel doesn’t significantly detract from its cornering ability on back roads. Thanks to its weight, all-wheel-drive system, and inherent Volvo stability, the S60 feels remarkably planted. The lowered suspension is firm enough to manage corners with minimal body roll while maintaining a ride quality that isn’t harsh. Despite the steering’s lack of communication, the overall handling and composed feel inspire driving confidence. And if enabling comfortable and relaxed driving at a brisk pace isn’t a key attribute of a good sports sedan, it’s hard to say what is.
The Verdict: A Balanced Swedish Sedan
The 2019 Volvo S60 T6 R-Design is a stylish car with high-quality materials, excellent comfort, and decent driving dynamics. Is it worth its approximate $55,000 price tag? Yes. Overall, the S60 T6 R-Design feels premium and effectively achieves its intended purpose. It’s sporty enough, sufficiently luxurious, and maintains the solid and safe feeling expected from a Volvo. While more tactile driving engagement would be appreciated, that’s not really Volvo’s design philosophy. The 2019 S60 T6 R-Design might not drive like a truly exceptional sports sedan, but it certainly looks and feels like it borrows appealing traits from the sporty side of the sports-sedan spectrum, while firmly covering the luxury aspect. It demonstrates that in the complex sports sedan segment, outright driving dynamics aren’t everything. And for many considering a Swedish sedan, the S60 T6 R-Design will be just right. Is it the Goldilocks of the segment overall? Maybe not. But is it the Goldilocks of the S60 range? Absolutely. That’s the right kind of Swedish spice.
(Disclaimer: My employment with Volvo afforded me the opportunity to drive this car. Let the record show that, aside from retaining my job, I have no vested interest in the betterment of the brand and the writing herein reflects my unbiased opinion. These are wholly my own thoughts and do not represent those of Volvo, its employees, or the brand in any way. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed here are my own and may not align with the founders of Everyday Driver.)
By Ross, Expert Automotive Content Creator at obd2global.com
