Used Volvo S60 Review (2011-2018) MK2
Independent review by Peter Hayward from Driving Force
4-minute read
Overview
- Attractive looks
- Very reliable
- Plenty of safety tech
- Average boot size
- Rivals are more fun to drive
- Not the most affordable to run
What's the Volvo S60 like?
The latest Volvo S60 saloon, also available as an estate known as the V60, is a superb car, right up there with the best in the premium sector.
The previous model that was replaced in 2018 are very good to drive and of course, among the safest cars you could buy, in the Volvo tradition.
With plenty of safety tech, the S60 is a clever car that will save you in many situations, even if you haven’t realised you’re in trouble.
Engines
The vast majority of S60 models on the used car market are diesels, probably because most were originally bought as company cars, and many also have the mainly optional 6-speed automatic gearbox.
The diesels start with a D2 1.6-litre turbo that has 115bhp or 120bhp and reaches 60mph from rest in 10.6 seconds while being able to do around 60mpg.
Next comes a 2.0-litre with either 136bhp or 163bhp in the D3 and D4, and these cover the sprint in 9.9 or 8.9 seconds respectively, while still being capable of 60mpg.
The most powerful is the 2.4-litre D5 with 215bhp. This gets to 60mph in a swift 7.5 seconds and should still better 50mpg.
The smallest T3 is again a 1.6-litre turbo, but this time with around 150bhp, and the same unit is used in a higher state of tune for the T4, which has 190bhp.
The T3 reaches 60mph in 9.1 seconds and is rated at 42mpg, while the T4 takes 7.4 seconds and can do 40mpg.
The range topping T6 is a 3.0-litre with a standard auto and all-wheel drive. It gets to 60mph in 5.9 seconds and will give a best of 25mpg.
The 1.6-litre diesels are fairly slow, but all the others have decent to excellent performance and all have surprisingly good handling and roadholding.
Practicality
All are very family-friendly, even down to the 40/20/40 split fold back seats and built-in booster seats in many.
Comfort is excellent, except for an unsettled feel at low speeds in town.
These are cars built to last a lifetime with classy, durable materials throughout the cabin, among the best seats on the market, and an enviable reputation for reliability.
Peter Hayward
The big cabin has excellent legroom front and rear, however, the boot is only average.
Equipment
Entry ES trim brings alloys, remote audio controls, cloth seats, traction control, heated electric mirrors, loads of seat and column adjustment, cruise control, and an excellent stereo. From the wide range of other models, many have electric leather seats, sat nav, parking sensors, and more.
That safety in the S60 is top of the class, with electronic stability control, loads of airbags, anti-whiplash seats, and hi-tech innovations – Pedestrian Protect and City Safety.
Pedestrian Protect was an extra, but would've been fitted to many used models. It uses a radar system to detect pedestrians in the car’s path and, if the driver doesn’t react, will apply the brakes and bring the car swiftly to a stop.
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What's the Volvo S60 like?
If you're looking for an executive car with unrivalled levels of practicality and comfort, the Volvo S60 is likely to tick all your boxes. With an extensive range of class-leading safety tech and eye-catching looks from the inside out, the S60 offers the perfect balance between style and reliability.
