Volvo S60 Review
Published: 4th January 2004
Volvo S60 T5 SE
Ease of Use
As we have come to expect from Volvo everything about the S60 T5 is driver orientated. The cabin is simple, ergonomically laid out and packed with innovative features to reduce the strain of modern driving.
Our test car was fitted with communicatons pack 1 (£2,300 option) which included dual band integrated GSM telephone and an extremely easy to use and intuitive remote control operated DVD-based RTI (Road and Traffic Information) Navigation system with Europe DVD map. When powered up the system rises out of the top of the dashboard and sinks away when switched off. As an alternative to the remote control the navigation system can be operated with a joystick-style switch on the steering wheel. The navigation system/integrated GSM telephone is available with or without a TV tuner and costs £2,300 and £2,700 respectively. The telephone system is useful as you can use your own GSM mobile phone sim card to make and receive calls (all within the current legislation) with minimum fuss. The telephone controls are also steering wheel operated for ease of use.
The T5 is very easy to to drive around town and visibility is generally good although because of design constraints it can be awkward to reverse into tight spaces. Thankfully our test car was equipped with reversing sensors ( £387.33 option) which we feel are a must. The system works by audible warning which gets more urgent the nearer you get to the obstacle. This system is perfectly adequate but we prefer the Mercedes-Benz system which has an audible and visual system which actually shows you on a proximity scale how close obstacles are to the front and rear of the car.
The S60 has a spacious boot with 424 litres of space and has a standard split/fold facility which is useful for bulky items and the passenger seat folds forward to accommodate longer items. Volvo's practical philosophy doesn't stop there and offers a multi-function load & shopping bag holder (standard on SE models) which keeps important items upright and can be folded away neatly into the boot floor.
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