2017 Volvo S60 Road Test and Review

The 2017 Volvo S60 is on the sidelines of a top-down overhaul to elevate the Swedish carmaker to a more premium market position. After sedan, coupe, and wagon concepts were introduced three years ago, the XC90 midsize SUV was the first vehicle to inherit Volvo’s new design language and architecture.

The XC90 wasn’t just an upward journey for Volvo – it was a rocket. The luxury manufacturer has since renovated its S90 sedan, V90 wagon, and XC60 CUV. Each successive redesign has pushed Volvo further into a conversation that has been traditionally dominated by German manufacturers. Soon, the remainder of the brand’s 60 Series models will undergo transformations, but until then, Volvo must convince premium buyers that its entire portfolio is worthy of consideration – not just its new offerings.

Among the remnants, Volvo’s S60 faces the toughest battle. The entry-level luxury sedan segment is unforgiving; design, performance, and quality are essential, but pedigree is an unspoken cornerstone in buyer decisions. To earn sales, the S60 must match or best its rivals in every category.  

With an all-new S60 due in the next year or so, the 2017 model doesn’t boast major changes to its look, but Volvo’s latest 4-cylinder engine now sits under the hood of every S60-badged sedan. T5 models ditch the “Drive-E” name and continue to use turbocharged versions of the 2.0-liter unit. Trim-topping S60 Polestar models, meanwhile, lose their 3.0-liter turbocharged inline 6-cylinder for a turbocharged and supercharged version of the 4-cylinder.

Volvo’s second-generation S60 has been in production since 2010; apart from a front-end update in 2014, the sedan’s overall aesthetic has remained unchanged since then. Despite its age, the S60 continues to look fresh and upscale. Only when parked next to Volvo’s latest 90 Series cars does the S60 appear in any way dated.

In a word, the S60 is “smooth.” Each exterior detail is purposeful; every angle refined. Some may consider the S60’s rounded rump and nose unremarkable, but none will contest its mature posture. Few cars can pull off bright red without looking ostentatious, but our T5 Dynamic tester and its optional 19-inch diamond cut wheels is perfectly suited to the popping paint scheme.

Highlights of the Dynamic trim include LED daytime running lights, platinum accents on the front and rear lower bumpers, 18-inch alloy wheels, and large dual exhaust ports within a rear diffuser. Amidst an ocean of German sport sedans, the S60 rides its own stylistic wave.

As for the S60’s cabin, we could simply copy/paste our impressions of the S60’s exterior. Though a familiar layout, the 2017 S60’s interior continues to feel high-end. Whereas some entry-lux models impress with artful cabin designs, the S60’s minimalist aesthetic is refreshingly restrained.

A single, textured piece of milled aluminum dominates the center stack and encompasses seat, climate, and multimedia controls. Elsewhere, brushed metal surfaces accentuate the driver display, door panels, and air vents. Soft leather is wrapped around the steering wheel and gear selector. We could write a novel about the support and comfort of Volvo’s leather seats – they are in a class of their own.

If there’s one area that trips up the S60, it’s cabin space. Standard wheelbase S60 models lack sufficient rear legroom for full-size adults. Inscription and above models resolve this issue with three inches of addition length, but all S60 variants have below-average trunk space (12 cubic feet). Thankfully, 60/40 split-folding rear seats expand utility in a pinch.

The 2017 S60 T5 Dynamic comes loaded with a number of convenience and safety features to make its starting figure even more compelling. Standard highlights include HD Radio, Sirius XM, a Wi-Fi hotspot, Volvo On-Call assistance, and an 8-speaker audio system. Smartphone connectivity is facilitated through USB, Aux, or Bluetooth, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are unavailable.

A 7.0-inch “Sensus” multimedia display may not be as large or crisp as competitor infotainment modules, but its processing speed and intuitive design is plenty competent. If you prefer not to use the center stack’s rotary controller, steering-wheel-mounted controls and voice recognition help you safely access audio and navigation functions. An analog driver gauge comes standard, but the optional digital TFT display has three customizable themes and provides useful vehicle information front-and-center.

Volvo has a reputation for building some of the safest vehicles on the road, and these days, that means more than physical engineering. Complementing the S60’s standard dual stage driver and passenger airbags, side airbags, and side-curtain airbags, are Volvo’s side impact protection, whiplash protection, and low-speed collision avoidance systems. Optional features include adaptive cruise control, pedestrian/cyclist detection, collision warning with full auto brake, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. A backup camera is also available, but we feel something so essential should be standard equipment.

The Volvo S60 T5 Dynamic is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, which makes 240 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The S60’s compact powertrain is connected exclusively to an 8-speed automatic transmission with manual shifting available via the gear selector. Our sport package-equipped tester also allows the driver to shift via steering-wheel-mounted paddles.

Front-wheel drive is standard on T5 models, and a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system is available for $2,000. Our impressions are limited to the AWD configuration, but straight-line performance for both drivetrains is similar on paper. With peak torque available from just 1,500 rpm, the S60 gets up to speed quickly and never bogs in the mid-range. Gearshifts err on the side of efficiency unless sport mode is engaged, but are smooth regardless of throttle input.

The EPA rates Volvo’s 2017 S60 T5 at 25 city/36 highway/30 combined mpg for front-drive models. If you opt for all-wheel drive, there’s a steep penalty of 2 mpg in the city, 5 mpg on the highway, and 4 mpg combined.

The S60 employs a McPherson-strut front suspension and multi-link rear setup. The sport package re-tunes the chassis and adds a three-mode electric steering system. Our test car's optional 19-inch  wheels are wrapped in uprated Pirelli GT tires, which improve grip considerably over the standard all-seasons.

At high cornering speeds, the Volvo S60 is balanced and communicative, with a touch of understeer at the limit. Volvo’s torque-vectoring system feeds power intelligently to whichever wheel has the most available traction, letting the sedan carry greater momentum. Drivers can increase or decrease steering weight, but only moderate feedback is available from the front tires. Fortunately, the electronic rack isn’t over-boosted to compensate for lack of feel.  

Volvo’s reputation for safety transcends all other notoriety, but the T5 AWD Dynamic proves there’s ample fun to be had behind the wheel.

The Volvo S60 T5 Dynamic starts at $33,950, excluding $995 in destination and handling fees. Highlights of the base model include 18-inch gloss black alloy wheels, active headlights, leather seats, LED DRLs, power/auto windows, remote engine start, Bluetooth, HD Radio, Sirius XM, USB, Aux, a power driver’s seat, and dual-zone auto climate control.

Four packages are available on the Dynamic trim. We won’t itemize the aforementioned Sport Package ($1,000), but the Tech Package ($1,500) adds rain-sensing wipers, adaptive cruise control, collision warning with full-auto brake, pedestrian detection, distance alert, driver-alert control, lane-keeping assist, road-sign information, and active high beams. The Vision Package ($1,950) includes blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, cross-traffic alert, a backup camera, digital TFT driver display, keyless drive, and a homelink garage-door opener. Finally, the Nav/Harmon Kardon Package ($2,300) upgrades the audio system and adds satellite navigation.

Above the Dynamic trim is the Inscription ($36,800), Inscription Platinum ($41,000), R-Design ($47,400), and Polestar ($60,000).

Highs:
-    Strong power and nimble handling
-    Intuitive convenience features
-    Robust list of safety technologies
-    Supple seats and ride quality
-    Excellent value

Lows:
-    Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are missing
-    AWD comes with a big mpg penalty

Volvo’s S60 T5 squares off against a trio of Germans, a Brit, and three Japanese luxury marques. To cut down on clutter, we’ll leave the updated Acura TLX and Infiniti Q50 off this list.

BMW’s 330i ($38,750) and Mercedes-Benz’s C300 ($39,500) rule the segment, but Audi’s redesigned A4 Premium ($37,900), Jaguar’s new XE 25t ($34,900), and Lexus’ IS200t ($38,825) craft their own compelling arguments.

The overall performance picture favors Volvo’s German rivals, but the T5 powertrain falls right in line with this group’s 240 hp range (the A4 makes 252 hp) and 250 lb-ft of torque range (the A4 and C300 develop 273 lb-ft). As standard equipment goes, the S60 is competitive, and additional equipment is far less expensive than rivals. Loading a T5 Dynamic with every available option is a $44K proposition, while other luxury sport sedans quickly move into $50K territory.

If every vehicle in this set carried the same starting figure, a case for the aging S60 would be harder to make. However, the Volvo’s $33,950 starting price represents significant value for a dignified alternative to the norm.  

Overlooking the 2017 Volvo S60 amidst the extensive list of competent luxury sedans isn’t difficult. Volvo lacks the marketing budget of its German competition, and even if it had the spare cash, advertising a seven-year-old design doesn’t make much sense. Therefore, the S60 won’t seek you out via billboards, but you owe it to yourself to seek out the S60 in dealerships. Everything you hope to find in a compact luxury sedan — styling, build quality, and performance — can be had for thousands less than you imagined. Isn’t that worth investigating?