Volvo S60 0-60 times

In the ultra-competitive midsize luxury-sedan segment, the Volvo S60 is the oldest model – it’s nearly a decade on the market. Luckily, for most of the things that are important to buyers of a luxury sedan, the S60 is a fine car and is still a viable alternative for buyers who want safe and reliable transport.

Volvo S60 Performance

The S60 is offered with two powerful four-cylinder engines and front- and all-wheel drive. Both engines have the same 2.0-liter capacity, but the first one has only a turbocharger and pumps out 240 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the more powerful one has a turbocharger and a supercharger that help it achieve 302 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.

The less powerful T5 four-cylinder offered in the Volvo S60 gets things going easily and provides powerful thrust forward, but the noise it produces can sometimes be very intrusive. This is certainly not an engine you’ll want to thrash all of the time. That said, it’s good enough for normal everyday driving. The transmission on offer is an 8-speed, which is a solid one, even though it can get confused at times.

The more powerful T6 is the one to get if you’re into a more spirited driving experience. The sprint to 60 mph with this unit takes only 5.2 seconds, which is almost sports car territory. The engine feels every bit as fast as the numbers suggest in everyday driving – it gets things going even from lower rpm’s and doesn’t stop to the redline.

All models can be applauded for their comfortable riding experience – this is a Volvo after all. The more powerful T6 engine comes with a tighter suspension that helps the handling, but don’t expect BMW M3 levels of excitement. That said, it’s still good for an occasional blast down a windy road.

Exterior & Interior

The outside of the S60 has no resemblance to the new Volvo styling started with the XC90, but the new-for-2019 model will rectify that. Overall though, it’s not a bad looking car thanks to its coupe-style roofline and swoopy lines, even though it’s missing some aggressiveness as most competitors have on their front fascia. The biggest problem is most people are used to it right now – this is really an old car.

On the inside, the S60 brings the popular, minimalistic Swedish approach which many would certainly like, but overall it lacks the refinement and luxurious appointments the competitors have. This is especially evident in the infotainment system which looks dated and isn’t very easy to use. We also don’t like the plethora of small buttons on the center console, as they’re not very easy to hit while driving. The rear bench is also cramped for adults in the normal S60, but there’s an extended-wheelbase model that rectifies the situation.

Conclusion

Even though it’s a bit old now, the S60 still has a few aces up its sleeve. It comes with generous and advanced safety equipment, it drives smoothly with the base T5 engine and can make your heart race with the more powerful T6 engine, and it’s still a nice-looking car. That said, buyers must accept a sub-par infotainment experience, dated interior, and cramped rear-bench to enjoy the benefits of this Swedish sedan.

Written by Ivo Gievski