WASHINGTON — The time for Chinese-built cars to hit our shores has come.
Chinese automaker Geely bought Volvo in 2010, and the first new model to roll out is — drum roll, please — the Volvo S60 T5 Inscription: A longer-wheelbase version of the popular Volvo S60 that’s been around for a few years now.
I’ve driven some other Volvo S60 versions over the last year, and the Inscription model is an improvement. For one thing, it adds about three inches for rear-seat riders, really opening up the space. The rest of the interior is like any other Volvo, with comfortable and heated leather seats and wood in the center console. The plastics are soft and have a grainy look to them, which adds a bit of interest. The center screen could be a little larger.
One thing that’s easy is the ventilation control. It looks like a person, so it’s easy to select where you want the air to hit you. There are also a lot of buttons instead of a single knob controller. I preferred the buttons out of ease; it’s just one button over countless menus.
The extra length also helps the look of the Volvo S60 T5 Inscription. It looks more like a midsize sedan than before, and adds a bit more presence in the parking lot with larger rear doors, which means it will be much easier to get into.
The look of the Volvo is more modern, with curves and lines as opposed to the box-on-wheels look of years past. Both the front end and rear styling make it recognizable as a Volvo, though. Even the 18-inch wheels are pretty stylish units and help with the look of the car. It looks like the luxury car it is, with a price tag of nearly $46,000 after a good number of options.
The “Made in China” Volvo drives much like other Volvos I have driven lately, with a quiet ride and good manners on all street surfaces. Most bumps are well taken care of without upsetting the ride too much.
This time around, the usual five-cylinder turbocharged engine is replaced with a 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 240 horsepower, which does a good job of moving this longer sedan. There is even an 8-speed automatic that’s a smooth operator and helps with fuel economy. I averaged 30 mpg of mixed driving over the week and 202 miles. The sticker said 29 mpg of mixed driving.
Safety is a big calling card for a Volvo and this new S60 T5 Inscription is no different: The City Safety low-speed collision avoidance system is standard. Select Platinum and it adds a Tech package with adaptive cruise, collision warning with pedestrian and bicycle warning with full stop. Road sign information pops up in front of you so you’re not looking around for the speed limit on unknown roads. Lanes keeping assist and distance alert are also available.
The Swedish Volvo S60 T5 Inscription is the first car built in China for America. After a week of driving, it seems like a normal Volvo. But this is a more rear-seat passenger-friendly vehicle, with a much-needed bump in space. With a lot of available safety features and economical turbocharged engine, Volvo is making itself relevant again in the luxury market.
