Tested: 2018 Volvo S60 Inscription T5 AWD - Car And Driver

What It Is: The long-wheelbase variant of the Volvo S60 entry-luxury sedan. Imported from China, the S60 Inscription has a wheelbase that’s 3.1 inches greater than that of the standard car. The additional space is gifted entirely to rear-seat passengers, where legroom grows from 33.5 inches to 36.9.

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Only the S60’s entry-level turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four is offered in the Inscription. Christened T5 in Volvo parlance, the engine produces 240 horsepower and mates to an eight-speed automatic transmission (the standard S60 that Volvo builds in Sweden also is available with either a 302- or a 362-hp turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter in T6 or Polestar models). Priced from $37,945, the S60 Inscription comes standard with front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive is a $2000 option.

Among the included features are navigation, power front seats, leather upholstery, a sunroof, and low-speed automated front braking. The Platinum model, tested for this review, is a $4200 upgrade and also includes a premium audio system, HID low-beams and automatic high-beam headlights, a proximity key with push-button start, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and a forward-collision-warning system with automated front braking that can also identify pedestrians and bicyclists. To that, our test car added metallic paint ($595), 19-inch wheels ($750), the $925 Blind Spot Information System package (blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors), and the $1300 Climate package (heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, heated windshield-washer nozzles). All in, this S60 Inscription wore an as-tested price of $47,715.

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Why We Tested It and How It Performed: This marks the first opportunity we’ve had to get behind the wheel of an all-wheel-drive S60 Inscription. We previously tested a front-wheel-drive model.

Despite weighing 135 pounds more than its front-wheel-drive counterpart, this S60 Inscription managed to scoot to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds—0.2 second ahead of the front-drive model, likely due to its greater traction off the line. Once the car was on the move, though, the all-wheel-drive system’s extra weight took its toll, and this car’s 30-to-50-mph and 50-to-70-mph passing times of 3.5 and 4.7 seconds were 0.3 and 0.2 second behind the front-drive Inscription.

Rolling on 19-inch Pirelli Cinturato P7 all-season tires, the S60 Inscription moderately understeered around our 300-foot skidpad to the tune of 0.89 g and stopped from 70 mph in 173 feet.

What We Like: At seven years old, the mechanical components of the S60 still feel refined. Its chassis offers a sturdy assuredness worthy of the Volvo badge, and the T5 powertrain is fully class competitive. Additionally, the S60 benefits from top-notch interior materials, solid build quality, and some of the most comfortable front seats available in any new car today.

What We Don’t Like: Unlike its mechanical bits, the S60’s infotainment system and switchgear are constant reminders that this entry-level luxury sedan is no spring chicken. Its screen is a relatively small 7.0 inches and can only be manipulated via the center console’s confusing array of tightly spaced buttons. We also were disappointed by the fuel economy, which averaged a middling 21 mpg over 825 miles—a far cry from the EPA’s 26-mpg combined estimate.

Verdict: Comfortable but an elder statesman among newer and technologically superior competitors.

Specifications

SPECIFICATIONS

2018 Volvo S60 Inscription T5 AWDVehicle type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

PRICE AS TESTED$47,715 (base price: $39,945)

ENGINE TYPEturbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injectionDisplacement: 120 in3, 1969 cm3Power: 240 hp @ 5600 rpmTorque: 258 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm

TRANSMISSION8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONSWheelbase: 112.4 inLength: 185.6 inWidth: 73.4 in Height: 58.4 inPassenger volume: 97 ft3Trunk volume: 12 ft3Curb weight: 3833 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS Zero to 60 mph: 6.1 sec Zero to 100 mph: 16.7 sec Zero to 130 mph: 37.8 sec Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 7.3 sec Top gear, 30-50 mph: 3.5 sec Top gear, 50-70 mph: 4.7 sec Standing ¼-mile: 14.7 sec @ 94 mph Top speed (governor limited): 130 mph Braking, 70-0 mph: 173 ft Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad*: 0.89 g *stability-control inhibited

C/D FUEL ECONOMY Observed: 21 mpg 75-mph highway driving: 32 mpg Highway range: 560 miles

EPA FUEL ECONOMY Combined/city/highway: 26/22/33 mpg

c/d testing explained

Despite their shared last name, Greg Fink is not related to Ed "Big Daddy" Roth's infamous Rat Fink. Both Finks, however, are known for their love of cars, car culture, and—strangely—monogrammed one-piece bathing suits. Greg's career in the media industry goes back more than a decade. His previous experience includes stints as an editor at publications such as U.S. News & World Report, The Huffington Post, Motor1.com, and MotorTrend.