Name: Volvo S60 Review
Item: Volvo S60
Author: Gumtree.com

First launched in 2009, the Volvo S60 is one of the top cars in the Swedish manufacturer’s range. On its third generation as of 2018, it’s a sharp-looking saloon with a lush interior and a decent amount of pep in its step. While it might come with a surprisingly high price tag for a Volvo, the S60 offers more than enough class and excitement to compete with high-end cars from the bigger names. Driving enthusiasts who can appreciate great style would be wise to check it out.

Visit the Volvo S60 model page to learn more.

What we think about the Volvo S60

The S60 is a sporty saloon with powerful engines and bags of style, inside and out.

Pros

Impressive design

Sophisticated, classy interior with plenty of space

Generous tech features and upgrades

Great safety rating

Surprisingly fast

Cons

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Handling could be a bit smoother

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No diesel engine

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Not the most affordable

The 2020 model of the Volvo S60 is a five-seater compact executive saloon. Its entry-level engine is the T5, a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit that delivers up to 39.8 mpg. Its available trims include the R-Design Plus or Inscription Plus. There’s also the newer S60 Polestar Engineered, a slight variant on the model with the highest performance available.

Driving performance of the Volvo S60

Our Driving Rating7 / 10

In terms of handling, the Volvo S60 offers a decent balance between fun and comfort. But considering its status as a high-end saloon, it doesn’t provide quite enough of either. The steering is sharp and precise, with a reasonable amount of engagement and some great grip to make cornering enjoyable and satisfying. It’s the chassis that’s the weak link. Though the suspension is tuned well enough for agility and limited body roll in corners, you might start to feel a bit too much harshness from the road on longer drives.

Safety and reliability of the Volvo S60

Our Safety Rating9 / 10

When it was last put through its paces by the Euro NCAP in 2018, the Volvo S60 achieved a full five-star rating for safety. It scored a near-perfect 96% for how well it protected adults on board, while the safety of children was given an 84% rating. The car’s Pilot Assist system offers a range of safety and driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, plus cross-traffic alert, rear collision mitigation and a rear parking camera.

Under the bonnet of the Volvo S60

Our Engine Rating8 / 10

The S60’s basic 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine offers up to 247bhp, and it will get you to 62 mph from standing in as little as 6.5 seconds. If you want even more speed off the starting blocks, you can opt for the T8 Twin Engine. This manages 0-62 mph in a blistering 4.6 seconds, with a second electric motor powering its rear axle. Uncompromising buyers might want to try the S60 Polestar Engineered, which shaves an extra 0.2 seconds off that time, and has a top speed of 155 mph.

What you'll find in the Volvo S60

Our Design Rating9 / 10

The Volvo S60 is a truly impressive car to behold, and its head-turning power might lead some people to assume that it’s a vehicle made by a more prestigious manufacturer. It’s has a nice streamlined shape, balancing a relatively compact size with a powerful road presence. Its wide “Thor’s Hammer” headlights are particularly stylish, and the huge air intakes are another distinctively racy feature on the front end. There’s also a small lip spoiler in the rear for another subtle hint of sportiness.

Comfort and interiors in the Volvo S60

Our Comfort Rating8 / 10

Though the interior aesthetic of the S60 is a lot more subdued than its exterior design, it’s every bit as impressive and unique. The cabin is decked out in quality leather, plastics and metals that look and feel expensive, and Volvo’s minimal layout is satisfyingly neat and elegant. Passengers will love how easy it is to adjust the seating arrangement, and they’ll enjoy plenty of headroom and legroom. The only downside is a relatively small boot compared to some rivals.

What features you'll find in the Volvo S60

Our Features Rating8 / 10

With the Volvo S60, you’ll get a 9-inch, clear touchscreen to operate the infotainment system, but its portrait orientation might take some getting used to. There’s also a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel on the dashboard of the R-Design version, which also offers extra black trim on the outside and blue detailing in the cabin, to shift the S60’s aesthetic sophistication up into an even higher gear. A 12-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system is available as an optional upgrade, along with a bike carrier for three bikes, a 430 litre roof box and a ski rack.

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Volvo S60

Our Fuel Consumption Rating8 / 10

There are no diesel engines available for the S60, but the basic petrol unit has decent efficiency, considering its size and power. It will get you up to 39.8 mpg, with CO2 emissions of around 155 g/km. With its petrol engine backed up by an electric motor, the T8 has an emissions quote of around 40 g/km, and its reported fuel economy is around 170 mpg. It can offer an all-electric range of up to 36 miles.

Running costs of the Volvo S60

Our Cost Rating7 / 10

Decent fuel economy means that the Volvo S60 will save you a fair amount of money in the long-term, particularly if you can shell out extra for the electric-assisted T8 versions. It’s a reasonably expensive car to insure, but low CO2 emissions could qualify you for road tax discounts if you’re using the car as part of a fleet. If you buy a manufacturer’s warranty directly from Volvo, you’ll get coverage up to three years, or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Our verdict of the Volvo S60

4.5 / 5 Gumtree rating

One of the best-looking saloon cars without a prestige badge, the S60 also boasts some impressively quick engines that make it hard to ignore.

Volvo S60 Review