V70 minus 10, a first feedback

I picked it up on the first week of January, so slightly less than a month. However already 1700 km driving it and the first impressions are good!

Like any petrolhead, I went on Drivetribe and on the web (in that order) to learn about the Volvo V60. And I found everything: the pro Volvos who will drive anything from Sweden (and love it!), the 2-hours testers who focused on some insignificant details and the long term testers. While I love having facts more than feelings, I started with the 2-hours testers.

Imagine you can drive a car for 2 hours. No time to get used to the multimedia system, hardly enough time to check the chassis and the suspension. And you have to say something not dull so that people will watch your video. But that isn't the reality of driving a call on a regular basis. By opposition, the pro Volvo will love everything. Everything. Poor mileage? An opportunity to visit nice petrol stations. Hazardous brakes? The countryside is even better once you leave the main roads.

What about the third category? "We made 1500km on a 3-days trip", that a good basis to test a car. But not long enough to start loving it. Just like the test drive I did before buying it. So, how does it feel after 3 weeks? Here are a few answers.

Chassis and suspension

In the order of priority, this comes second after the engine, maybe first sometimes if you are really into handling. A wagon remains a wagon and comfort will always be priority number one for me. I've heard that going for the R-Design and the adaptative suspension was killing the famous Volvo comfort. Believe me, I'm picky when it comes to comfort. And suspension might be harder, it's still comfortable. Nothing to see with the previous V70 which was the summum of comfort. But you don't buy something with a "R" in its name, hoping it will be absolutely smooth. So, like an Audi S4, the suspension is firm, but nice. And the fact that it is adaptative doesn't mean that it's bad. Sorry Carwow.

Engine and gearbox

Here we are, the focus of the petrolhead! 190 CV and 400 nm of torque. I wanted to make that clear. Not an RS6, but it's not supposed to be such animal. Power is smooth and the torque makes the difference. You can't expect the sound of a V8 but the engine is silent on a daily basis, even when it's very cold outside. You can't hear it. When doing at higher revolutions, it makes the sound of a petrol engine. Nothing funny, but nothing bad. The gearbox makes the job very well. I'm tempted to say that it's the perfect gearbox for this car. You cruise and occasionnally you drive a bit more aggressive. The gearbox can manage both. And the engine response is immediate. Again, sorry Carwow.

Sound system and multimedia

The bower&Wilkins equipment is doing a fantastic job in terms of sound quality and sound effect. Much more than the basic equipment. But remember that it's a car, not a recording studio. I don't see the point to have the "perfect" sound if you can't manage the external noise. But it's brilliant, I have to admit it. Multimedia system... well, there is a logic, maybe not so obvious at the beginning. You have to get used to it. Once you have the mental map of the menus and options, it becomes more easy. But still playing with temperature via the screen or the voice command is a bit tricky.

Conclusion

"If you want to know what people have to say, you have to know who they are." Well, I am a Volvo fan. I like the brand, I liked the simplicity of my V70 and I like today the atmosphere of my V60. You don't get the "no surprise" effect from a german car where everything is where it's supposed to be. Nor the handling you can expect from such car. Here you have a car with it's own logic, own codes. There is ofter an idea behind the function. The charm comes with the time, not yet here, but on the right way to love it. But three weeks of v60 after six years of v70, there is no magic to expect. However I have to admit that the V60 is doing very well after only three weeks...