Now re-styled, re-powered and re-launched, the 2011 Volvo S60 is on dealer lots and ready for test-drives. As such, the long-lived, last-generation S60 has officially completed its life cycle-- and will now be placed under our used-vehicle microscope to give shoppers an idea of what to expect in the pre-owned marketplace.
The last-generation S60 launched in 2000 as a 2001 model that came as a four-door, front-drive sedan. A wagon variant (called the V70) was available, as were a range of 3 five-cylinder engines. These started with a 2.4 litre, 168-horsepower unit, followed by a 2.4 litre turbocharged unit with 197 horsepower and a 2.3 litre, 243-horsepower mill. The so-called ‘2.4T’ engine was eventually bumped up to a 2.5 litre unit with 208 horsepower, and a 2.5 litre, 300-horsepower ‘R’ variant of the S60 was available, too.
All Wheel Drive was offered, depending on the model selected, as were both manual and automatic transmissions.
Features included leather seating, heated mirrors, a sunroof, headlight washers, dual-zone climate control, a 6-disc CD changer, remote entry, power seats, a tilt/telescopic steering wheel and plenty more. Of course, all staple power accessories were on board, too.
All in all, despite the understated styling, the S60 largely proved a unique, well-equipped and versatile sports sedan for the majority of owners. The plethora of leading safety features and a reputation for top-notch occupant protection were huge selling features, too.
Volvo S60 owners typically rate comfort, interior styling, ride quality, safety, confidence and fuel mileage highly. Performance with the larger engines is highly-rated as well. Finally, many enthusiast owners are happy they were able to choose their S60 with a manual transmission.
Gripes tend to centre around turbo lag related issues, though poorly-designed cupholders, lane-change visibility and torque-steer on front-drive models were mentioned, too. Finally, though the S60 tended to be ‘comfort first, sportiness second’, many owners wish for a bit more performance in the handling department.
On a test drive, shoppers are advised to double and triple check all on-board electronics for proper operation. These include lights, the stereo, climate controls, power seats, remote, driver computer, alarm and all windows. A variety of potentially sporadic electronic issues were reported, and may be hard to duplicate or diagnose. Check for proper operation of the air conditioner, too.
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| 2004 Volvo S60 (Photo: Volvo) |
The last-generation S60 launched in 2000 as a 2001 model that came as a four-door, front-drive sedan. A wagon variant (called the V70) was available, as were a range of 3 five-cylinder engines. These started with a 2.4 litre, 168-horsepower unit, followed by a 2.4 litre turbocharged unit with 197 horsepower and a 2.3 litre, 243-horsepower mill. The so-called ‘2.4T’ engine was eventually bumped up to a 2.5 litre unit with 208 horsepower, and a 2.5 litre, 300-horsepower ‘R’ variant of the S60 was available, too.
All Wheel Drive was offered, depending on the model selected, as were both manual and automatic transmissions.
Features included leather seating, heated mirrors, a sunroof, headlight washers, dual-zone climate control, a 6-disc CD changer, remote entry, power seats, a tilt/telescopic steering wheel and plenty more. Of course, all staple power accessories were on board, too.
All in all, despite the understated styling, the S60 largely proved a unique, well-equipped and versatile sports sedan for the majority of owners. The plethora of leading safety features and a reputation for top-notch occupant protection were huge selling features, too.
Volvo S60 owners typically rate comfort, interior styling, ride quality, safety, confidence and fuel mileage highly. Performance with the larger engines is highly-rated as well. Finally, many enthusiast owners are happy they were able to choose their S60 with a manual transmission.
Gripes tend to centre around turbo lag related issues, though poorly-designed cupholders, lane-change visibility and torque-steer on front-drive models were mentioned, too. Finally, though the S60 tended to be ‘comfort first, sportiness second’, many owners wish for a bit more performance in the handling department.
On a test drive, shoppers are advised to double and triple check all on-board electronics for proper operation. These include lights, the stereo, climate controls, power seats, remote, driver computer, alarm and all windows. A variety of potentially sporadic electronic issues were reported, and may be hard to duplicate or diagnose. Check for proper operation of the air conditioner, too.
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| 2005-2006 Volvo S60 (Photo: Volvo) |