Volvo S60 in depth

What makes the new Volvo S60 an Editors' Choice vehicle? It's not just the world-first safety features and value for money, but the little things, too.

Prices begin at AU$51,950 for the T5, AU$57,950 for the D5 and AU$64,950 for the T6.

The T6's turbocharged straight-six petrol engine has 224kW of power and 440Nm of torque on offer.

A 177kW/320Nm four-cylinder turbo-petrol (T5) and a 151kW/420Nm turbo-diesel (D5) are also available.

It mightn't have the outright sex appeal of the S60 concept car, but it's still pretty good looking.

All-wheel drive is standard on the T6 and nixes any worries that you might have about torque steer.

Want a bit more bling? There's an optional R-Design pack for the T5 and T6 that brings its own alloy wheels, interior styling tweaks and tons of little R-Design badges.

Optional xenon headlights not only shine a piercing light into the night, they also follow the driver's steering inputs. Next to the grille are the LED driving lights.

Mounted in the grille is a radar for the car's active cruise control system and various safety features.

At night, the tail-lights form a very pleasing hockey stick shape.

Gorgeous 18-inch Sleipner alloy wheels are standard on the T6.

Below the wing mirror is a camera for the blind-spot warning system (BLIS).

When the system detects a car moving in the same direction in your over-the-shoulder blind-spots, an orange light goes on.

Both wing mirrors feature a highly curved section at the far edge.

Thanks to the coupe-like roofline, head room in the back is tight.

Leg room can be a bit tight, too, depending on who's sitting in the front.

The rear seats split-fold 60/40.

Before you can utilise the 60/40 split-fold rear seats, you need to use the backrest release located in the boot.

The bonnet release is on the passenger's side.

The T6's matte chrome finishings not only look nice, but avoid the glare issues of shiny chrome.

Boot space at 380 litres is sufficient and no more.

There's a flip-up divider in the boot.

Under the floor there's some tyre sealant, but no spare wheel.

Carrying long planks of wood? No worries, the front passenger's seat tilts forwards.

The front seats feature a small storage pouch.

Rear parking sensors are standard, but a reversing camera is an AU$795 option on all S60s.

Audi levels of interior quality are matched with Swedish decorating flair.

The leather-clad steering wheel is a pleasure to hold, but the power steering system doesn't feed much information back to your fingertips.

The leather seats do a wonderful job of imitating a sofa.

Soft, supple leather of various grains is used throughout the cabin.

Unlike many rear seat vents, the S60's aren't just for your feet.

A powered driver's seat with memory is standard throughout the S60 range.

Climate control air conditioning is standard throughout the S60 and the V60 line-up.

The bottom button not only disables all window controls except for the driver's, but also enables the child safety locks.

FM reception is fine, but listening to AM radio with the engine on is like trying to decipher an alien transmission through all the static and background noise.

These buttons on the steering wheel's left spoke adjust the active cruise control's speed and safety distance settings, as well as the system that warns you if you're following the car in front too closely.

Lights at the base of the windscreen warn you if you're following the car in front too closely. Orange lights are the least severe warning, with flashing red lights and an audio warning, followed by computer-controlled braking.

City Safety utilises cameras and sensors mounted high on the windscreen, and if it detects an imminent rear-ender, it will brake the car. It is able to avoid accidents at speeds of up to 30km/h. City Safety is standard on all S60s and V60s.

The premium sound system is standard on the T6, and sounds excellent, as it should.

All Aussie-bound S60s come with a six-speed auto. On the D5 and the T6, there's a sport mode available.

With keyless start, you don't need to put the key in, but you can if you want to.

Behind the air-con and sound system controls is a small padded nook perfect for a pair of sunnies.

The location of the electronic parking brake makes it incredibly easy to forget.

Rain-sensing windscreen wipers are standard throughout the S60 range.

In the D5 and T5, navigation can only be specified if the optional 7-inch high-res screen is fitted. Both the 7-inch screen and nav are standard on the T6.

The Sensus entertainment and nav menu system can be navigated by this less-than-handy knob and button combo.

Alternatively, and more conveniently, too, there are these controls on the steering wheel.

The only way to switch between different functions on the Sensus entertainment and nav system is via the buttons on the dash.

The 7-inch screen is brilliant in its high-resolution glory and can play DVD video and DivX files on USB.

Navigating music and movies stored on USB is quick and easy.

Using iPods with large music libraries can be trying on one's patience.

Available voice commands are displayed on-screen.

The system will recognise names straight out of your phonebook without any training.

It won't let you enter new destinations via voice, though.

The displays in the instrument panel cram in cruise control, fuel economy and trip computer info, but there's no space for navigation instructions.