The Volvo S60 is Slick, Efficient, and Luxurious

With the handsome new S60, Volvo hopes to take on the Big Three German carmakers, which together dominate the luxury car segment in India

- Sameer Kumar

According to the 2020 edition of the World Happiness Report, Sweden ranked 7th on the list of the world’s happiest countries (India took the 10th place on the list of the world’s unhappiest countries), purportedly on the back of factors like high levels of societal support, freedom to make individual life choices, and the lack of corruption.

Another factor that we suspect the Happiness Report missed out on, might be Swedish cars. Driving to work in something like a Volvo S60 should make one happier, right? Beautiful to look at, pleasant to drive, and with a luxurious cabin that’s designed to pamper its occupants, the S60 has the potential to moderate Monday morning blues.

So, why do we think a Volvo S60 could boost happiness levels in our lives? Well, look at it. In a country like ours, where dreary hatchbacks, awkward-looking sub-4m sedans and ungainly wannabe-SUVs have run amok, the S60 is like a moment of Zen-like calm in an ocean of chaos. The Volvo doesn’t need to shout and push for attention; it just sits there, cool and relaxed, confident in the knowledge that it will attract attention effortlessly.

With its sensuous mix of curves and creases, carefully sculpted bodywork, and spot-on proportions, the S60 is undeniably handsome. The car, with its large, 18-inch alloy wheels, blackedout B-pillars, slim LED headlamps, and compact front grille, seems to have a general sense of purpose. No frippery here, no superfluous design flourishes; the S60 is lean, taut, and business-like.