Volvo S60 buying guide
Why buy the Volvo S60?
If you want a large premium-brand saloon car that stands out from the crowds of Audis, BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes, the Volvo S60 is a fine choice. It’s very comfortable and spacious, comes with lots of features as standard and can be very fuel efficient. It also lives up to Volvo’s excellent reputation for safety, with many features designed to protect you in a crash and to prevent one happening in the first place.
Volvo S60 range and updates
The latest version of the S60 has been sold new since 2019 when it replaced a version sold from 2010 to 2019.
The latest version is only available with petrol or plug-in hybrid power and all models have an automatic gearbox. The older version is available with a much wider range of petrol and diesel engines, plus the choice of manual or automatic gearbox.
There’s a wide range of trim levels available on both versions of the S60. The sporty-looking R-Design is most popular, though you may want to look for the more luxurious models, called Inscription on the latest version and SE Lux on the older version. The older version is also available in Cross Country form which, unusually for a saloon car, has a raised ride height and SUV-like styling details. It could be useful if you need to occasionally venture onto muddy fields or gravel tracks.
Volvo S60 tech and features
The latest S60 comes with a very long list of features included as standard. Highlights include a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and sat nav, cruise control, climate control, parking sensors and heated seats. R-Design models have sportier styling details inside and out and Inscription models have luxurious heated leather seats.
Standard features on many models of the older version of the S60 include climate control, cruise control, parking sensors, Bluetooth and DAB radio. Some also have sat nav and heated leather seats.
Volvo S60 running costs and value
According to official figures, the latest version of the S60 can give you an average fuel economy of up to 42mpg with a petrol engine. The plug-in hybrid can give up to 400mpg but exactly what you get will depend on whether you can regularly fully recharge the battery and how long your journeys tend to be. Annual Vehicle Excise Duty charges (car tax) are quite low but cars that cost more than £40,000 when new incur extra charges until they’re five years old.
Depending on exactly which model you get, the older version of the S60 can give you an average fuel economy of 44-52mpg with a petrol engine and 47-74mpg with a diesel engine. Vehicle Excise Duty charges generally fall into the lower brackets – annual charges on many diesel models are only £20-£30.
Volvo S60 vs rivals
Other premium brand mid-size saloons like the S60 include the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. All of those cars offer a larger selection of different models than the S60, so it may be easier to find one that fits your needs. Plus the Audi has a bigger boot, the BMW feels better to drive and the Mercedes’ interior has more of a wow factor. But the Volvo’s subtle style, generous passenger space and relaxing driving experience may appeal more to you.
