Review - Volvo S60

Going head-to-head with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Lexus IS, Audi A4 and the BMW 3 Series, the Volvo S60 has a huge task in winning over buyers from its European rivals; let’s take a closer look at how it stacks up. 

Starting Price: $62,490

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Volvo S60 (B5 INSCRIPTION MHEV) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Volvo S60 car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The Volvo S60 lineup is available in a single model variant, with the S60 B5 Inscription priced at $62,490. 

Keep in mind that this price is subject to change, and does not include on-road costs.

Optional extras for the S60 range include an upgraded 14-speaker sound system from Harman/Kardon for $1,460, a Nappa leather upholstery upgrade for $2,420 and a Bowers & Wilkins sound system for $3,770. 

How Much Can OnlineAuto Save You? 

Using OnlineAuto’s car buying service, you could save by sourcing one of our car specialists to help you find the best value model for you. 

What Features Does the Volvo S60 Have?

The Volvo S60 comes riding on a set of 19-inch alloys, and receives adaptive LED headlights, keyless entry & start, a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery with heated front seats, four-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, hands-free tailgate, surround-view camera, semi-autonomous parking, wireless smartphone charging, a 12-inch digital driver’s display and a 9.0-inch infotainment system packed with sat-nav, DAB+ as well as Apple CarPlay & Android Auto. 

Range Features: 

• 19-inch alloys 

• Adaptive LED headlights 

• Adaptive cruise control

• Leather upholstery with heated seats 

• Hands-free tailgate 

• Surround-view camera 

• Ambient lighting 

• Four-zone climate control 

• Keyless entry & start 

• Semi-autonomous parking 

• Panoramic sunroof 

• 12-inch digital driver’s display 

• 9.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto 

Volvo S60 Colours 

The Volvo S60 is available in a choice of eight colours as a no-cost option which includes Crystal White, Fusion Red, Thunder Grey, Pine Grey, Denim Blue, Onyx Black, Birch Light and Pebble Grey. 

Is it Comfortable to Drive? 

Volvo has become synonymous with smooth, stable and confidence-inspiring platforms, and the latest S60 is no exception, offering buyers an extremely premium and dynamic package that remains smooth and comfortable. 

Power is supplied by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that kicks up 183kW of power and 350Nm of torque to all four-wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, which is paired with a 48-volt mild hybrid system. 

Volvo claims a 0-100km/h sprint for the S60 in 6.5 seconds.

On the road, the driving experience is absolutely sublime, with the S60 offering a heap of power to get you up and moving in a smooth and relaxing package thanks to the sleek and responsive eight-speed auto transmission. 

Thanks to Volvo’s clever all-wheel drive system, the S60 feels safe and planted at all times, even when you’re misbehaving. 

It remains user-friendly and easy to drive around town thanks to its lightweight steering rack that progressively adds feedback as you pick up speed, making for a user-friendly driving experience with an impressive amount of responsiveness when pushed. 

The suspension does a great job at evening out bumpy surfaces, even with its large 19-inch alloys, and adds to the versatility of the package that isn’t afraid to venture off the smooth city streets and onto rough Australian B-roads. 

Is it Practical and Spacious? 

Interiors have always been a strong point of Volvo’s road cars, and the S60 is yet another example of the company’s sleek interior designs that are filled with clever, practical elements that lend themselves perfectly to family duties. 

Up front, the driver and front passenger gain a set of leather seats while leather makes its way through and atop the dashboard. 

The design is a classic blend of Swedish simplicity with modern technology and a heap of premium highlights, with the vertically-mounted infotainment system dominating the dash, flanked by a large set of air vents that make the S60’s interior one of the most streamlined on the market. 

It’s not all looks, either, with the central tunnel housing a storage area behind the crystal gear lever, another hidden cubby hole with storage and cup holders beside the lever, and a decent amount of storage in the folding arm rest and large door bins on either side of the cabin. 

Better still, the panoramic sunroof adds massively to the sense of space inside the cabin. 

Move to the rear of the S60 and you’ll find a comfortable bench seat with inbuilt ISOFIX anchors that have no problem accommodating forward and rear-facing child seats. 

There’s more than enough legroom on offer in the back of the S60 for adults to get comfortable, and while it could use a tad more headroom, overall the second row is comfortable and receives a folding arm rest with in-built storage and a pair of cupholders. 

Finally, the S60 has luggage space rated up to 427L, which is pretty much on par with its main rivals and helps to keep up with the practical needs of a growing family. 

Is it Safe? 

As you can expect, the Volvo S60 is a strong performer when it comes to official safety scores and safety equipment lists. 

It has been awarded ANCAP’s maximum five-star rating, and comes packing autonomous emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alerts, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assistance, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition and a surround-view camera as standard. 

As a result, the S60 can’t be faulted when it comes to its design and the amount of safety equipment included as standard 

Is it Fuel Efficient?

The Volvo S60 returns a combined cycle figure of 7.2L per 100km, making it relatively fuel efficient for a large, premium sedan utilising a petrol engine that emits 165g per km of CO2. 

The S60 requires 95RON premium unleaded fuel, and has a fuel tank measuring 60L. 

Our Verdict: Is the Volvo S60 Worth it?

The Volvo S60 is a hidden gem within the premium sedan market, and offers buyers a stylish, safe and feature-packed platform that is an absolute pleasure to drive. 

It holds strong when put under the microscope in all key areas, and is particularly competitive in terms of price and features as standard when compared to its main European rivals. 

As a result, we highly recommend you add the S60 to your shortlist if you’re shopping around the premium sedan market. On that note, if you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925 

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year, unlimited KM warranty 
2. 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol with mild 48-volt hybrid tech 
3. Five-star ANCAP safety rating 
4. 427L of boot space 
5. 7.2L per 100km combined cycle fuel economy 

Pros 

• Stylish interior design with a heap of practical elements 
• Comfortable ride quality 
• Great engine & transmission combination 
• Generous equipment list with active safety tech 

Cons

• Pricey optional extras 

• Less dynamic than rivals 

OnlineAuto Rating: 9/10

Volvo S60 Competition