Volvo has moved its S60 sedan to a new platform for its third generation, which will enable the sedan to provide more safety technology, interior comfort, and stylish design for the pharmaceutical companies that add it to selector lists for their sales associates. Volvo made the updates late into the 2019 model year, and is expanding availability with the 2020 S60, according to Matt Falcone, Volvo's national fleet manager.

It's all part of a 60-line update that began with its second-generation 2018 XC60 and also includes the V60 wagon for Volvo's medium-tier vehicles. While fleets have leaned toward the XC60, the S60 is also a very solid choice and could be a better fit for a business driver with minimal cargo demands. Consulting and insurance companies may also find it well suited to their needs.

The 2020 S60 is underpinned by the Scalable Product Architecture platform, which allows Volvo to add driver assistance technology as well as a plug-in hybrid model. Many of the updates are the same ones that were added to the 90-lineup of XC90, S90, and V90 in recent model years.

Powertrain Trio Adds PHEV

The trim grades and engine lineup mostly carries over. Volvo again offers the 2020 S60 in Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription trims. All trims offer the T5 base 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with front wheel drive, as well as the T6 2.0-liter turbo and supercharging. With the T8 plug-in hybrid, buyers get a higher-performance Polestar Engineered model with even more power.

We tested the S60 Momentum T5, which was suprisingly peppy for the base car. It makes 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and EPA fuel economy ratings will be released later this year. The front-wheel-drive model is expected to be in line with the 2019 S60, which offered 36 miles per gallon on the highway, 24 mpg in the city, and 28 mpg combined.

The S60 T8 would provide the most power and highest fuel efficiency. It has been rated at 31 mpg in combined driving.

Safety Tech and Interior Upgrades

The Volvo S60's already-robust safety technology gains lane departure assist technology known as Steer Assist. It's tied into the blind spot information system. When the vehicle drifts toward lane markers without the turn signal activated, the system countersteers the wheel in a more aggressive way than we've seen in other models.

In the cabin, upgrades include a 12.3-inch driver display for Momentum that can be configured to show a range of operating information such as the trip's fuel efficiency, range, and audio data.

The R-Design adds more wide-ranging interior illumination, four-zone electric climate control, a cooled glovebox for warm summer days, and a tailored dashboard. This model also offers a slate interior color.

2020 Volvo S60 Specs:

• Engines: 2.0L turbo I-4 (250 hp, 258 lb.-ft.), 2.0L turbo/supercharged I-4 (316 hp, 295 lb.-ft.), or 2.0L turbo/supercharged I-4 PHEV (400 hp, 472 lb.-ft.)

• Transmission: 8-speed automatic

• All-wheel drive: Optional on all trims

• Cargo space: 12 cu.-ft.