Page 78 - Motor Trend (May 2020)

MT GARAGE
Real wood trim is always a nice
touch, and the Volvo S60’s
2019 Volvo S60 interior doesn’t disappoint.

Service life:
5 mo/9,752 mi • Avg Fuel Econ: 24.2 mpg

“Volvo’s On Call app has some
nice features, but it failed me when
a check engine light came on.”
Miguel Cortina

Avg CO2 0.80 lb/mi Energy cons 140 kW-hr/100 mi Unresolved
problems None Maintenance cost $0 Normal-wear cost $0
Base price $40,300 As-tested $50,630 EPA City/Hwy/Comb
Fuel Econ 21/32/25 mpg Real MPG 18.9/30.7/22.9 mpg

s technology becomes every morning at 7:00 a.m., for tion. You can also see other
A more accessible, new example, your Volvo can be at important stats like interior
phone apps like Volvo your desired interior tempera- temperature and fuel level.
On Call let us connect even ture every morning. I’ve found
closer with our vehicles. The this feature to be convenient Maintenance Just as we were
app is free for the first four during the hot summer months. approaching 10,000 miles, the
years, and I tried it out for a Although you can’t set timers check engine light came on.
few months in my S60. Here are for remote start, you can start as your address, and using a What was weird is that neither
a few things I like and dislike. the engine remotely up to 15 Volvo digital key, the driver can the infotainment system nor
minutes before you get in; this open your trunk to deliver the Volvo On Call said anything
A/C Controls and Remote helps keep the cabin nice and package. I haven't used this about it. Volvo On Call has a
Start Even when you’re thou- cool (or warm) when you’re feature yet, but I plan to before Maintenance tab, and even
sands of miles away from your about to get going. our S60 goes back this summer. when the check engine light
Volvo, you can turn on the A/C was on, the app said everything
or start the engine through Lock or Unlock Doors This may Location Through Volvo On Call, was good. A visit to the dealer
the app. With Volvo On Call, seem like a normal feature, but you can see your car’s location revealed the S60 needed a
you can set up to eight timers it also allows Amazon to deliver while it’s parked. If you forget replacement of the evaporation
for temperature controls, so if to your car. With in-car deliv- to lock your car, the app will let pipes; the dealer replaced them
you plan to leave your house eries, you can use your Volvo you know via a push notifica- in about two hours at no cost.

One area that has not been an issue is enough interior space
2019 Subaru Ascent for the many tasks our Subaru Ascent has performed.

In other travels, a fast
and furious rock hit the
windshield, and the crack
spread immediately. Turns
out, getting a new wind-
shield for a 2019 Ascent isn’t
easy. The vehicle is new
enough that the windshield
had to come from the
dealer, especially because
Service life: ours is equipped with the EyeSight driver assist safety system.
13 mo/19,043 mi • Avg Fuel Econ: 21.0 mpg The dealer needs the VIN to ascertain which of four windshields
you have, and failure to use a genuine Subaru windshield could
“Fingers crossed our Ascent can result in EyeSight not working properly. Aftermarket glass could
make it to the finish line with no block or distort the camera, preventing EyeSight from accu-
more dealership visits.” Alisa Priddle rately measuring objects around it. Once the new windshield is
installed, a Subaru dealer must inspect and recalibrate EyeSight
Avg CO2 0.92 lb/mi Energy cons 160 kW-hr/100 mi Unresolved to ensure it’s compatible with the new glass.
problems None Maintenance cost $0 (oil change, inspection, Chatter in the Ascent forums suggests as long as the cameras
tire rotation) Normal-wear cost $0 Base price $39,970 aren’t moved during installation, a recalibration isn’t necessary.
As-tested $43,551 EPA Fuel Econ 20/26/22 mpg
We played it safe and got the windshield installed through the
dealer. Cost: $865.74, which we’re not calling “normal wear.”
On a positive note: We’ve had no tire issues since we got the
W e have had a few mishaps. The Subaru Ascent was nail puncture fixed. And the front strut has stopped making that
in New York last year, and City Parking NYC returned
grunching sound as the nose dips upon braking. Maybe the car
it with fresh white paint scraped along the rear door
and back haunches. After months of waiting for the company to really did just need a longer break-in period than most.
acknowledge its responsibility, we were asked to submit repair At more than 19,000 miles, the Ascent is averaging 21.0 mpg.
quotes. They came in at $1,540 and $2,800. The buck has stopped It started strong at 22.4 mpg but has been on a downward
there, as City Parking dragged its feet before paying for a chunk trajectory since. It has made a lot of trips north, towed a trailer,
of the repair costs. If we weren’t MotorTrend, we wonder if they’d launched a boat, gone off-roading, and continues to perform
have coughed up a cent. yeoman’s service for those in the Detroit bureau.

78 MOTORTREND.COM MAY 2020