Although Volvo->ke188 is often referred to as the automaker producing the safest vehicles in the industry, the Swedish manufacturer is also known for the massive amount of luxury->ke505 and technology->ke1701 it puts into its cars and SUVs. Sure, Volvo still lags behind German companies like Mercedes-Benz,->ke187 BMW->ke178 and Audi->ke14 in terms of sales, but the Chinese-owned brand’s lineup is as lush as it gets, with the brand-new 2016 XC90 paving a new path in terms of exuberance. While it may take a couple of years for the entire Volvo lineup to align to the trend set by the SUV,->ke145 the Swedes are trying to keep up with the Germans by bringing more Inscription models into dealerships. At the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, Volvo unveiled the S60 Inscription, basically the range-topping version of its compact sedan.

Introduced in early 2014, the Inscription trim is essentially a package that adds several unique features inside and out, including soft leather upholstery, bespoke paints, new wheels, and custom interior amenities with embroidered logos. The S60 is the latest to receive the Inscription trim, which will arguably enable the sedan to fare better against similar competitors from Germany and the United States as well.

Updated 05/21/2015: Volvo announced prices for its entire 2016 model year lineup, including its new addition: the S60 Inscription. The model will be offered in two versions, with prices starting from $38,700.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2016 Volvo S60 Inscription.

Exterior

Facelifted for the 2014 model year, the second-generation S60 is already a familiar face in the compact segment. The new hood and front fenders gave it a fresh look, while the widened grille and the revised headlamps added a touch of sportiness to its otherwise bland-looking front fascia. Volvo refined the sedan's rear end as well by mounting LED taillights and integrating the exhaust pipes into the apron.

Those of you who find the facelift appealing will certainly enjoy the Inscription model on the outside. That's because the package leaves the exterior unaltered, not counting the unique 19-inch wheels and the slightly longer wheelbase. On the other hand, if you were expecting a bespoke exterior, the S60 Inscription might not be your thing.

Interior

The interior is where the S60 Inscription really shines. Available in two versions, Premier and Platinum, the sedan comes with Volvo's finest materials, including high-grade leather upholstery, Linear Walnut trim, silk metal detailing, a standard sunroof, and the Sensus Navigation package.

While the aforementioned features are available for both trims, the Platinum model gets even more equipment, including the full Sensus Technology package, with Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Warning, Pedestrian/Cyclist Detect, Distance Alert, Driver Alert Control and much more. A premium Harman Kardon audio system is also included, while the Convenience Package adds Keyless Drive, Park Assist Camera, Digital Compass, a grocery-bag holder, and power-retractable mirrors. The Platinum also receives dual Xenon lights for a better driving experience after sundown.

Both trims benefit from 3.4 inches of additional rear-seat legroom, which, according to Volvo, results in best-in-class rear accommodation.

Drivetrain

The S60 Inscription is only available with the T5 trim, meaning power is provided by Volvo's tried-and-true, 2.5-liter, five-cylinder engine. The mill cranks out 250 turbocharged ponies and 266 pound-feet of torque, and mates to a six-speed Geartronic automatic transmission with Sport Mode. Both front- and all-wheel-drive configurations are available.

With only the front wheels handling the traction, the S60 Inscription needs 6.2 seconds to reach 60 mph from a standing start. Things become slower with all-wheel drive at 6.6 seconds. Top speed is listed at 130 mph for both layouts. Needless to say, the S60 is rather slow when compared with the BMW 328i (240 ponies / 0 to 60 in 5.7 seconds) and the Mercedes-Benz C300 4MATIC (235 horses / 0 to 60 in around 6.2 seconds).

In the fuel-economy department, the Volvo returns 21 mpg city, 30 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined with front-wheel-drive, and 20 mpg city, 29 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined with all-wheel-drive. Unfortunately for Volvo, both the Bimmer and the Merc fare significantly better, returning up to 33 mpg highway and 31 mpg highway, respectively, with AWD.

Prices

Competition

BMW 3 Series

The 3 Series, by far the most popular luxury compact as of 2015, was redesigned for the 2012 model year and there's a facelift scheduled for 2016. The sedan is available in four different guises in the United States, but the 328i is the best suited for a comparison with the S60 T5. Offered with both rear- and all-wheel-drive configurations, the 328i sports a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that churns 240 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque.

Mated to either a six-speed manual or a an eight-speed automatic, the German compact needs only 5.4 seconds to sprint from 0 to 60 mph, while top speed comes in at 155 mph. Both figures are far superior than the S60's, while fuel economy is estimated at up to 35 mpg on the highway for the RWD model. Naturally, standard equipment includes a host of luxury and convenience features, with more goodies available on the options list. Prices begin from $37,500 for the RWD model and $39,500 with xDrive.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Brand new for 2015, the C-Class took the compact segment by surprise with its impressive interior, which makes the 3 Series and the Audi A4 look rather dated. Highlights include revised materials, an optional 8.4-inch touchcreen and an overall sporty, yet still elegant layout. Two models are currently available in the U.S., with the base C300 4MATIC matching the S60 in terms of performance.

Motivated by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine, the C300 comes with 241 ponies and 273 pound-feet on tap. The four-banger mates to a seven-speed automatic and a 4MATIC, all-wheel-drive system and pushes the sedan from 0 to 60 mph in around 6.2 seconds, nearly a half-second quicker than the equivalent S60 T5 with AWD. The C300 4MATIC may not be the quickest of the bunch, but it's definitely the most expensive, starting from $40,400.

Conclusion

The fact that the second-generation S60 is nearing the end of its life cycle makes the addition of the Inscription trim that much more important to the nameplate. It's the most Volvo can do until a third-gen model with a new design language, more efficient engines, and added luxury arrives sometime in 2016. The amount of convenience and safety features is massive with the Inscription package, enabling the S60 to give both the 3 Series and the C-Class a run for their money. On the other hand, the Swedish sedan lags behind in terms of performance, while also being inferior to the Mercedes as far as luxury amenities goes. It all depends on what you need really. While the C-Class will satisfy one's need for the latest and most luxurious compact on the market as of 2015, the S60 is the best option for those looking for a safe, well-equipped, and rock-solid sedan.