Judged purely on its towing ability, the Volvo S60 was close to the top of most judges’ score sheets.
The S60 is as stable as they come. The Al-Ko ATC sensors recorded almost no movement from the van, even when slowing from 70mph. Through the lane-change the Volvo refused to be bullied by the tourer, although the stability control did kick in earlier than with many rivals.
It’s a quick car, too. Driven solo, the engine’s 309lb ft of torque makes short work of any overtaking opportunity. Even towing, you won’t be stuck behind slower traffic for long. Be prepared to turn up the stereo, though, as the engine is gruff and noisy when worked hard.
That’s a shame, because otherwise the Volvo is a quiet enough car for long drives. It’s comfortable, too. The driving position is sound and there’s enough space for tall drivers to stretch out. Rear-seat space is comparable with the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
The boot didn’t have space for all our holiday luggage. Our practicality judge was also disappointed that the towing electrics were fiddly to access. However, the Volvo scored well for having a Towing Stability Programme.
