Let’s face it: Volvo faces an uphill battle in the United States. In a crowded field of luxury sedans, Volvo is middle-of-the-pack at best. No, it is not a bad car; it simply never found its place in the United States, and thus has never been fully appreciated like some of the bigger names.
The Volvo S60 is a great example of this dynamic. This is the second generation of the S60, and so far it has proven to be an admirable entry into the midsize luxury market. It has lovely European styling, handles quite well, and performs upon demand. The all-wheel drive version is a great performer, and it is lovely to look at. If there is a drawback to the S60 it is a rather cramped backseat, but now we are being a little picky.
Having said all that, the S60 still struggles for recognition in the United States, and most sales, we suspect, are repeat owners who have tried a Volvo and become loyal customers.
The S60 offer three trims, the T5, the T6, and the T6 R-Design. As you move up the ladder you move up in engine size and power, and all engines offer an inline-r or inline-6 rather than the standard six-cylinder found in other luxury vehicles.
Let’s talk about those engines. The T5 offers a turbocharged inline-5 engine with 250 horsepower. The all-wheel drive T6 has a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 that gives 300 horsepower, and the T6 R-Design has all-wheel drive with 325 horsepower. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard for all trims.
Standard features include 17-inch wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, an eight-speaker audio system, Bluetooth, and power-folding rear headrests in the T5. The T6 has 18-inch wheels and leather upholstery. The T6 has firmer suspension, bi-xenon headlight, and a sunroof. Options include keyless ignition, a navigation system, and a 12-speaker audio system as well as a dual-screen rear seat entertainment system.
Since the S60 is only into its second generation, finding replacement parts might be somewhat of a chore. You can pay top dollar at a dealership or auto parts store, or you can do the wise thing and keep your eyes peeled for an S60 to show up at your local salvage yard. Places like All Import Auto Parts will have an S60 on occasion, and you would be wise to buy up any used parts you find at that time.