When the name Volvo is mentioned the first thought that comes to mind is the impeccable safety record. Many stories are found of drivers and passengers surviving collisions or having reduced injuries because of all the advanced safety features and improved design of the framework found in the Volvo cars. Most of the time this thought comes with a picture of a boxy, squared off plain looking sedan that really doesn’t excite anyone at all, but that is now a thought of the past. The S60 is a handsome and stylish sports sedan sure to turn heads as it zips on by. Add to the great looks the fact it is a Volvo and it’s the perfect combination of safety and sportiness to please a very large crowd.
Named as one of the 10 Best Luxury Cars Under $40,000 for 2014 by Kelley Blue Book the S60 offers performance and power to deliver a highly enjoyable and safe ride wherever the road may take the occupants. Adding the newly redesigned front end styling the S60 is such a great looking car anyone would be hard pressed to pass it up. On the inside the instrument cluster is brand new as well as some trim work on the interior adding a bit more elegance to the luxury. Volvo also added a couple more safety features, big surprise here, by adding blind spot monitoring and tire pressure monitoring to help with control and information for the driver.
Possessing a superior suspension and steering the S60 is easy to drive with quick maneuvering and road soaking abilities that are simply unmatched. Available in front-wheel drive FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) the car offers a vast amount of control in any driving conditions including inclement weather that sometimes leaves others stranded on the side of the road. As a luxury car, it is equipped with an expected amount of noise reducing technology allowing the occupants to enjoy their choice of music and not be lulled to sleep by the road noises around them.
With three engine options available for the S60, there is something here for almost every consumer; starting with the 2.5-liter turbocharged inline five-cylinder engine that brings a pleasing 250 horsepower and 266 lb.-ft. of torque. All engines are matched with a six-speed Geartronic automatic transmission that offers a manual shift mode. With this engine the powertrain will offer a fuel mileage of 21 city/30 hwy mpg for the FWD version and 20 city/29 hwy mpg for the AWD models.
Next up is the 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine that comes in with a very strong 300 horsepower and 325 lb.-ft. of torque. With this performance laden engine and the transmission together the fuel mileage offered for this power plant comes in at 18 city/25 hwy mpg. This engine offers a good amount of power to add some extra fun to the drive of the S60, but the last engine is really the cream of the crop.
Somehow the Volvo engineers achieved an engine that offers the same fuel mileage in this last engine as the second, but upgraded the turbocharging to give power hungry buyers a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine that offers a massive 325 horsepower and 354 lb.-ft. of torque. With huge numbers like this it’s amazing the fuel mileage comes in the same, but somehow it did and when given the choice between the two engines, this is the one that should be taken by those who want to maximize the power of their S60.
In many sports cars the seats seem to lack comfort, but this is a luxury sports sedan and with that it offers a very comfortable amount of seating that hugs the occupant for even the long drives. With well positioned instruments throughout and intuitive control the interior of the S60 is both luxurious and elegant with the array of materials used. This all allows not only a great drive from a power and handling standpoint, but also a comfort one.
On the outside the eye-catching appeal of the S60 is obvious from every angle. From the sweeping hood and angles and curves that extend from the front to the rear, this is not a Volvo from the past, but rather the beginning of a new and beautiful offering from the great automaker. Adding chrome accents in just the right places and a well-designed set of many-spoked wheels the S60 doesn’t go overboard but is simply appreciatively gorgeous. Add to all of this the LED lighting all around and anyone can see the luxury styling that had gone into making this great car.
Offering a veritable laundry list of features as standard fare the list includes a City Safety feature, Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake, and Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake are just a few of the many safety features found in the car. The S60 is fully equipped with all the luxury accoutrements that could be offered as standard fare for a luxury car making this car one of the best to drive and safest on the road.
The optional features that are offered for the S60 are trim level based as they are in many vehicles on the road today to include 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, dual xenon headlights, front and rear parking assistance, a premium 12-speaker 650-watt sound system, a navigation system, auto dimming mirrors, Cyclist Detection, and optional 18-inch wheels for the Sport package which also adds sport seats. Adding all the extras to this vehicle almost makes it not fair to even have the S60 compete in the luxury class as it outclasses almost every car in the ranks.
At a starting price of $32,500 for the base model, this is a vehicle that will be hard to pass up at that price. When fully loaded the S60 will max out in the mid $40000’s range, which is still a great price for a luxury vehicle that has it all from performance to safety and offers seriously handsome looks.