This review of Volvo’s S60 sedan will necessarily begin with a look at the model designations currently in use. We drove a 2022 S60 B5 R-Design AWD model, in December 2022, when one expects the 2023 models to have been available for sale. The reason this is worth discussing here is that Volvo has entirely changed the model nomenclature of the S60 for 2023, from 2022’s Momentum, R-Design and Inscription, to Core, Plus and Ultimate. In addition, some features that were available in optional packages in 2022 are now part of the regular models.
So, to make that long story short, the models and some of their equipment are different, but essentially we drove a very well-equipped S60, and anything we comment on for the 2022 model should apply to the 2023 one.
The S60 is the large-compact sedan in the Volvo range, with a decades-long history of being a comfortable, safe, fashionable Swedish car. Over those years, there have been S60s with some sport credentials, and the current S60 continues that with the availability of the Sport Chassis our mid-range R-Design tester had, but which is now sold in the top-line Ultimate model. It consists primarily of lowered suspension and firmer springs and dampers, and it does impart a nice feeling of confident, nimble handling to the S60. The very attractive optional 19-inch wheels and 235/40-19 Pirelli P-Zero all-season tires also contributed to the sporty looks and capabilities. Those who are more used to the comparable German sedans will think the S60 to be not quite up to their level of handling, and that is fine.
The “B5” part of the model designation denotes the engine under the hood – a 2.0-litre four with turbocharger and mild hybrid system, which is a belt integrated starter generator to be precise. It generates electricity for the small battery, so that the motor can act as a booster for the engine, especially in low-rpm situations where the added instantaneous torque of the motor imparts a feeling of eagerness to the S60’s acceleration, despite the engine having a not-especially-high output of 247 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque at a usefully low 1,800 rpm. The propulsion system is not designed to move the car forward in purely electric mode.
The transmission is an eight-speed automatic, with manual control only via the shift lever, as there are no steering wheel paddles, which one usually sees on premium cars these days, to say nothing of one with some sporty intentions. Our tester had the all-wheel drive system; front-drive is available as the base set-up. Available drive modes are Eco, Comfort and Dynamic, with their settings eventually found in the touchscreen menu, rather than via what would be a more easy-to-use knob on the console, for example. By the numbers, Volvo claims zero-to-100 km/h acceleration in 6.5 seconds. Transport Canada rates fuel efficiency at 9.4L city and 6.9L highway, but in mostly urban use, we averaged 10.8L.
Perhaps every Volvo review ever written has raved about the seats being comfortable and supportive, and we will not say anything different. The Sport seats in our tester were quite wonderful in that sense, with full power adjustment in all directions, and that much appreciated feature by those long of leg, the sliding under-thigh extension. Another typical Volvo review comment is the unique Scandinavian look of the interior, with lighter shades and textures, for example.
As if the seat comfort is not enough to make this car one to spend a lot of time in, there is also the optional Bowers and Wilkins audio system, whose sonic goodness will make you think it is totally worth the extra $3,750 it costs.
On the practical side, the S60’s rear seat offers reasonable space except if the front seat is more than halfway extended towards the rear, and it folds down in 60/40 fashion to add to the cargo versatility. The trunk is somewhat shallow, so the added space might be handy for the couple setting off with luggage on an extended trip.
And really, that is where the S60 shines – as a luxury touring car, with some sporty equipment and appearance should that option be chosen. The S60 driver will be quite happy driving it long distances with those fantastic optional seats and audio system, or even without them, one has to think, and it will deliver quite reasonable fuel efficiency too. The occasional burst of enthusiastic driving will show that the S60 with Sport chassis can deliver engaging handling, too. Most people would call it quite capable.
As a premium European sedan, the S60 is a real value leader, with a starting price in 2023 of just $47,900. As the exact 2022 R-Design model we drove no longer exists in the same configuration, it must suffice to say that it started at $52,750 and was highly optioned to the point of having cost $63,300. The comparable 2023 mid-range Plus model starts at $55,650 without the Sport Chassis or Sport Seats, so on the face of it, without delving deeply into what features are and aren’t on it, the price has gone up for the current model. This is where you should check the Volvo Canada website, or see your local dealer.
