Hey car enthusiasts! Let's dive into the 2019 Volvo S60 T5 R Design, a car that really blends sporty aesthetics with that signature Volvo safety and comfort. If you're looking for a sedan that doesn't just get you from A to B but does it with a bit of flair and performance, this might just be your jam. The R Design package on the S60 takes an already attractive car and amps up the aggression, giving it a more dynamic presence on the road. We're talking about a car that looks as good as it drives, and that's a big plus in my book, guys.

Exterior Elegance and R Design Flair

The exterior of the 2019 Volvo S60 T5 R Design is where it really starts to shine. Volvo has always been known for its sophisticated Scandinavian design, and the S60 is a prime example. But the R Design trim? That's like adding a stylish, well-tailored suit to an already good-looking person. You immediately notice the sportier front bumper, the gloss-black grille, and those assertive R Design badges. The wheels are usually larger and more aggressively styled, further enhancing its sporty stance. It’s not just about slapping on some sporty bits; it’s a cohesive design that makes the S60 look lower, wider, and more purposeful. The lines are clean, the proportions are spot-on, and the overall impression is one of understated confidence. Even the rear gets some subtle R Design touches, like a small spoiler and a more aggressive diffuser, hinting at the performance within. When you see this car coming, you know it means business, but in a classy, refined way. It’s the kind of car that gets noticed for its design, not just its loudness. We’re talking about premium sedan styling that turns heads for all the right reasons. The LED headlights and taillights not only look sleek but also provide excellent visibility, which is crucial for safe driving, especially at night. The integration of these lights into the overall design is seamless, contributing to that modern and sophisticated look. The body panels are well-fitted, the paint quality is top-notch, and every detail speaks to Volvo's commitment to quality craftsmanship. It’s a car that feels solid and well-built, and that translates into a premium ownership experience. Whether you're parking it in the city or cruising down a scenic road, the 2019 S60 T5 R Design makes a statement without being ostentatious. It’s the perfect balance of sporty, elegant, and functional design that appeals to a wide range of drivers who appreciate a car that looks as good as it performs. The R Design elements aren't just cosmetic; they contribute to the car's aerodynamic profile, helping it cut through the air more efficiently, which can even have a slight impact on fuel economy and performance. It’s a smart design that merges form and function beautifully.

Interior Comfort and R Design Touches

Stepping inside the 2019 Volvo S60 T5 R Design, you're greeted with an interior that screams premium and sporty. Volvo's cabin design is famously minimalist and driver-focused, and the R Design takes it up a notch. The seats are usually a highlight – think sport seats with enhanced bolstering to keep you snug during spirited drives, often upholstered in a combination of leather and Alcantara. The steering wheel is typically a sporty R Design unit, feeling great in your hands, and you'll find R Design logos sprinkled throughout the cabin, like on the floor mats and the dashboard trim. The materials used are top-quality; soft-touch plastics, real metal accents, and a generally high-end feel that rivals more expensive luxury brands. The central infotainment system, with its portrait-oriented touchscreen, is intuitive and easy to use, controlling everything from navigation and media to climate control. While it might take a little getting used to if you're coming from a traditional button setup, it's very modern and integrates well into the dashboard's clean design. The cabin ambiance is further enhanced by features like ambient lighting, which you can often customize to suit your mood. It feels cozy yet spacious, with enough legroom and headroom for both front and rear passengers, although like most sedans in this class, the middle rear seat can be a bit tighter for longer journeys. The R Design touches don't just stop at aesthetics; they often extend to the feel and function. The pedals might be aluminum, and the gear shifter could be a crystal unit, adding that extra touch of luxury and sportiness. The sound system is usually excellent, providing a rich audio experience for your commute or road trips. Even the climate control system is designed to be user-friendly, with well-placed vents and intuitive controls. The overall impression is one of meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to creating a luxurious and engaging driving environment. It’s a place where you’ll genuinely enjoy spending time, whether you’re stuck in traffic or out on an open road. The R Design interior isn't just about looking good; it's about enhancing the driving experience through thoughtful design and premium materials. It truly feels like a driver's cockpit, designed to make every journey a pleasure. The integration of technology is seamless, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support ensuring you stay connected on the go. The digital instrument cluster is also a nice touch, offering customizable displays that keep all the vital information right in front of you. It’s a perfect blend of modern tech and classic luxury that defines the Volvo experience, especially in the sportier R Design trim. The quality of the switchgear is superb, giving a satisfying click and feel when operated, reinforcing the premium nature of the car. The attention to detail in the stitching on the seats and steering wheel, as well as the brushed metal or carbon fiber trim options, further elevates the cabin's appeal, making it a truly special place to be.

Performance: The T5 Engine and Driving Dynamics

Now, let's talk about what makes the 2019 Volvo S60 T5 R Design tick – the powertrain and how it handles. Under the hood, you've got that peppy T5 engine. This is typically a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, putting out a healthy amount of horsepower and torque. It’s mated to an automatic transmission, usually an 8-speed unit, which shifts smoothly and efficiently. The combination provides brisk acceleration, making it feel quick off the line and confident when overtaking. It's not going to blow your mind with supercar-level speed, but it offers more than enough grunt for daily driving and spirited jaunts. The driving dynamics are where the R Design really shows its personality. Volvo tunes the R Design suspension to be firmer than the standard S60, giving you a more connected feel to the road. This means less body roll in corners and a more agile feel when you're carving up some twisty roads. It strikes a good balance – it's sporty enough to be engaging but still comfortable enough for longer journeys, avoiding that bone-jarring harshness you might find in some other sport-oriented sedans. The steering is precise, providing good feedback, so you know what the front wheels are doing. The brakes are strong and confidence-inspiring, essential for a car that feels this capable. The all-wheel-drive system, often available or standard on the T5 in certain markets, further enhances grip and stability, especially in less-than-ideal weather conditions. This car feels planted and secure, no matter the situation. The T5 engine delivers a satisfying surge of power when you need it, and the transmission does a commendable job of keeping the engine in its sweet spot. It’s a powertrain that’s both responsive and refined, offering a good blend of performance and efficiency. While it’s not the most powerful engine in the S60 lineup (that would be the T6 or T8), the T5 in the R Design package offers a compelling balance for many drivers. It provides a noticeable step up in performance over base models without the higher running costs associated with more potent engines. The driving experience is further refined by the car's chassis, which is built on Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture (SPA). This platform is known for its rigidity and ability to support advanced suspension setups, contributing to the S60's composed ride and handling. Even with the sportier suspension tuning of the R Design, the car manages to absorb road imperfections effectively, ensuring a comfortable ride for passengers. The car's overall weight distribution and low center of gravity also play a crucial role in its agility and handling characteristics, making it feel nimble and responsive to driver inputs. The integration of various driving modes, if equipped, can further tailor the car's performance to your preferences, allowing you to switch between a more comfort-oriented ride or a sharper, sportier response. This versatility ensures that the 2019 S60 T5 R Design can adapt to various driving scenarios, from daily commutes to weekend adventures on winding roads. The responsiveness of the throttle and the transmission's eagerness to downshift when accelerating make overtaking maneuvers quick and effortless, adding to the overall confidence when driving. It's a well-rounded performance package that complements the car's sporty looks and premium interior, offering a truly engaging driving experience that doesn't compromise on comfort or refinement. The exhaust note, while not overly aggressive, provides a subtle but satisfying growl under acceleration, adding to the sporty character of the vehicle without becoming intrusive or annoying during normal driving conditions. This attention to acoustic refinement is typical of Volvo's approach to creating a premium driving environment. The power delivery is linear and predictable, making it easy to modulate speed and control the vehicle with precision, which is a hallmark of a well-engineered performance sedan. It offers a robust and engaging drive that’s sure to please those who appreciate a good balance of power and handling in their daily driver.

Safety Features: Volvo's Signature Strength

When you're talking about a Volvo, you have to talk about safety. The 2019 Volvo S60 T5 R Design is no exception; it’s packed with advanced safety features that are pretty much standard across the Volvo range. We're talking about things like City Safety, which is an autonomous emergency braking system that can help prevent or mitigate collisions at lower speeds. It also comes with features like lane keeping aid, blind spot information system (BLIS) with cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. These aren't just buzzwords; they are genuinely helpful technologies that work together to make driving safer and less stressful. The car's structure itself is designed with incredibly strong high-strength steel, forming a protective safety cage around the occupants. Airbags are strategically placed throughout the cabin to provide maximum protection in the event of a collision. The S60 also incorporates Volvo's latest advancements in collision avoidance and mitigation technology, aimed at protecting not just the occupants of the car, but also pedestrians and cyclists. The driver-assistance systems are seamlessly integrated, working quietly in the background until they are needed. For instance, the lane keeping aid gently nudges the steering wheel if it detects you drifting out of your lane unintentionally, while the blind spot monitor alerts you to vehicles in your blind spots. The adaptive cruise control maintains a set distance from the car in front, significantly reducing driver fatigue on long highway journeys. The rearview camera and optional 360-degree camera provide excellent visibility when parking or maneuvering in tight spaces. The integration of these technologies underscores Volvo's commitment to their vision of zero fatalities or serious injuries in their new cars. It’s this dedication to safety that really sets Volvo apart, and the 2019 S60 T5 R Design is a testament to that philosophy. You can drive this car knowing that it’s equipped with some of the most sophisticated safety technology available on the market, giving you peace of mind on every journey. The robust safety structure is the foundation, but the active safety systems are the icing on the cake, constantly working to prevent accidents before they happen. It's this comprehensive approach to safety that makes Volvo a leader in the automotive industry. The car’s collision warning systems, for example, can detect potential hazards and alert the driver with visual and audible warnings, giving them crucial time to react. Furthermore, the S60 is designed to protect occupants in a wide range of crash scenarios, including frontal, side, and rear impacts, as well as rollovers. The whiplash protection system (WHIPS) is another innovative feature that helps reduce the risk of neck injuries in rear-end collisions. The car's body is engineered to deform in a controlled manner during an impact, absorbing energy and channeling it away from the passenger compartment. The advanced airbag system includes dual-stage front airbags, side-impact airbags, and curtain airbags, all designed to deploy optimally based on the severity and type of collision. The seatbelt pre-tensioners also tighten the belts in the moments before a crash, ensuring a secure fit for all occupants. This multi-layered approach to safety means that the 2019 S60 T5 R Design offers a level of protection that is second to none, making it an excellent choice for families and safety-conscious individuals alike. The active safety features are not intrusive but rather provide a helpful layer of assistance, making driving a more relaxed and secure experience, especially on longer trips or in challenging driving conditions. The car’s overall design philosophy prioritizes the well-being of its occupants above all else, reflecting Volvo's long-standing reputation for building some of the safest cars on the road.

Technology and Infotainment

In the 2019 Volvo S60 T5 R Design, the technology and infotainment system are all about seamless integration and user-friendliness. At the heart of it is Volvo's Sensus infotainment system, typically operated through a large, portrait-oriented touchscreen display. This screen controls pretty much everything – navigation, audio, climate, phone connectivity, and vehicle settings. While it looks sleek and modern, it can have a bit of a learning curve initially, especially if you're used to physical buttons. However, once you get the hang of it, it’s quite responsive and allows for pinch-and-zoom gestures, similar to a smartphone. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are usually included, which is a massive plus. This means you can mirror your smartphone's interface onto the car's screen, giving you easy access to your favorite apps, music, navigation, and messaging services. It really bridges the gap between your digital life and your car. The digital driver display is another tech highlight. Instead of traditional analog gauges, you get a crisp, high-resolution screen that can display a variety of information, including navigation maps, media details, and trip computer data, all customizable to your preferences. This adds to the modern, high-tech feel of the cabin. For audio enthusiasts, the sound system is usually quite impressive. Volvo often partners with Harman Kardon or Bowers & Wilkins for their premium audio options, delivering rich, immersive sound quality. Even the standard system is generally well-tuned. Connectivity options are plentiful, with USB ports and Bluetooth streaming readily available. The navigation system is usually accurate and easy to input destinations into, though many drivers find themselves relying more on their smartphone's navigation apps via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The climate control system is also integrated into the touchscreen, but thankfully, there are still some physical buttons for basic functions like defrosting, which is a smart compromise. Voice control is also available, allowing you to perform certain functions without taking your hands off the wheel. This is incredibly useful for tasks like making calls or changing the radio station. The overall tech package in the S60 T5 R Design aims to enhance the driving experience by providing convenient access to information and entertainment, while also bolstering safety through integrated driver-assistance features. It’s a sophisticated system that keeps you connected and informed without being overly distracting. The user interface is designed to be clean and uncluttered, reducing cognitive load on the driver. Software updates are often available over-the-air, ensuring that your infotainment system remains up-to-date with the latest features and improvements. The integration of smartphone applications is particularly well-executed, offering a familiar and intuitive user experience for those who are accustomed to using these platforms in their daily lives. The car's onboard diagnostics and system status information are also easily accessible through the infotainment system, allowing drivers to monitor the health of their vehicle. The inclusion of a Wi-Fi hotspot capability further enhances connectivity, allowing multiple devices to connect to the internet simultaneously, which is great for families on road trips. The overall approach to technology in the 2019 S60 T5 R Design is focused on enhancing convenience, safety, and entertainment, making it a truly modern and connected driving machine. The responsiveness of the touchscreen and the logical menu structure contribute to a positive user experience, ensuring that drivers can access the features they need quickly and efficiently. The system also supports various media formats, including satellite radio, allowing for a wide range of entertainment options. The seamless integration of these technological features underscores Volvo's commitment to providing a premium and sophisticated driving experience, making the S60 T5 R Design a compelling choice for tech-savvy consumers.

Conclusion: A Stylish and Capable Sport Sedan

So, what's the final verdict on the 2019 Volvo S60 T5 R Design? It's a seriously compelling package, guys. It nails the brief of being a sporty, stylish sedan that doesn't compromise on Volvo's core values of safety and comfort. The R Design elements give it that extra visual punch, making it stand out from the crowd. The T5 engine provides lively performance for everyday driving and more, while the sportier suspension tuning makes it genuinely enjoyable to drive on winding roads. Inside, you're treated to a premium, well-appointed cabin that's both comfortable and technologically advanced. And, of course, you get that legendary Volvo safety net, giving you ultimate peace of mind. If you're in the market for a premium compact sport sedan that offers a great blend of performance, style, and safety, the 2019 S60 T5 R Design is definitely worth a serious look. It’s a car that manages to be both exciting and practical, a rare combination these days. It truly represents a smart choice for anyone who wants a bit more flair and engagement from their daily driver without sacrificing the core qualities that make a car a Volvo.