Volvo S60 (2018 – 2023) Review

The Volvo S60 takes on upmarket executive saloon such as the BMW 3 Series, Alfa Romeo Giulia and Jaguar XE. A four-door version of the V60 estate, the S60 blends a premium image with a sense of Scandinavian style. It is very comfortable and spacious, and offers a choice of petrol or hybrid power.

Not everyone wants to follow the herd, even when it comes to buying a compact executive saloon. Although German vehicles have long dominated this sector, the Volvo S60 makes a bold stand as an alternative option from Sweden.

There is a strong degree of family resemblance between the S60 and Volvo’s larger S90 saloon, but this is no bad thing. The Volvo S60 is certainly handsome, thanks to its wide front grille and elegantly sloping roofline. It looks expensive as well, ensuring co-workers or neighbours will know you’re doing well.

Volvo offers the S60 with a choice of just two engines, which is slightly polarising in the fleet-heavy executive saloon market. There is no diesel option, with buyers having to pick between the 250PS B5 mild hybrid petrol and the 455PS T8 Recharge plug-in hybrid. They each offer strong performance, and the T8 can travel up to almost 56 miles on battery power alone. An eight-speed automatic gearbox is standard, and both engines are now combined with all-wheel drive.

Despite those sizable power outputs, the Volvo S60 is not a truly sporting saloon. The driving experience is tailored more towards comfort than outright dynamism, and is none the worse for that. With a taut, but  relatively comfortable ride, the S60 makes for an effective long-distance cruiser.

Adding to the Volvo S60’s relaxing vibe is an interior that maximises comfort and quality. Even in a segment packed with upmarket German alternatives, the Volvo S60 stands out for its luxurious feel and high-quality components. Plenty of standard safety equipment adds to its appeal, too.

For a fairly compact saloon, the Volvo S60 is spacious inside. Passenger room in the front and rear is generous, with ample space for adults. Boot space is only average for the class, but there is at least an electrically opening bootlid. For those who need to carry more luggage, there is, of course, the option of the Volvo V60 estate.

With its simplified engine range and upmarket image, prices for the Volvo S60 are at the higher end for the executive saloon market. Volvo has made all the trim levels particularly well-equipped, but a starting price of more than £46,000 for the cheapest model will look steep.

At least the plug-in hybrid T8 Recharge comes with a low Benefit-in-Kind company car tax rate of eight percent, meaning it will hold considerable appeal for fleet drivers.

Choosing the Volvo S60 means eschewing the usual executive saloon ideas of sportiness and Germanic design. Instead, the Volvo focuses on delivering a calm and relaxing environment, turning long commutes home into a time to unwind. Only the relatively high prices, plus the lack of a diesel engine, seem like reasons not to consider the S60.

When creating the S60, Volvo wanted its saloon to be sporty enough to take on other executive four-door models such as the BMW 3 Series and Alfa Romeo Giulia. This included fitting features like dynamic chassis control, progressive steering and strong brakes.

The plan has worked, to a degree, but this is still hardly a sports saloon. Its steering is accurate and precise, if not brimming with feel and feedback, yet it allows for brisk cross-country pace. It just lacks that final degree of engagement that could see it truly rival the BMW or Alfa Romeo.

A sportier chassis setup also results in a firmer ride which, when combined with 19-inch alloy wheels, means the worst bumps and ruts around town are fed back to the driver. Things improve at speed, however, and the S60 will cruise along a motorway without complaint.

Unlike many plug-in hybrids, Volvo has managed to give the S60 T8 an impressive level of brake feel. Regenerative braking allows the batteries to be recharged, without affecting the pedal performance.

The engine range for the Volvo S60 is now remarkably simple, with buyers offered the choice of two options. There are no diesel engines in sight, with Volvo firmly on the path towards becoming fully electric by 2030.

The entry-level option for the Volvo S60 is the B5 turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. This develops a substantial 250PS, along with 350Nm of torque. Mild-hybrid technology is included to help improve fuel economy, while an eight-speed automatic transmission is fitted as standard.

Accelerating from 0-62mph takes 6.7 seconds in the B5, although the automatic gearbox can delay things slightly when pulling away from a standstill. At least the engine is smooth and refined, although some might find it a little bland and emotionless.

The T8 Recharge plug-in hybrid gives the Volvo S60 a major shot in the arm for performance, along with instant acceleration thanks to the combination of all-wheel drive and electric assistance. Combining the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor results in a total of 455PS, plus a colossal 709Nm of torque.

Such power means 0-62mph time of just 4.6 seconds, plus the potential to travel up to nearly 56 miles on battery power alone. Doing this will require keeping the 18.8kWh battery fully charged, though.

Again, although the T8 Recharge PHEV engine is ruthless in its performance, it does not turn the Volvo S60 into a true sporting saloon. Other rivals step up with a more engaging driving experience.

The Volvo S60 shares the same safety technology as found in the V60 estate, making it particularly well equipped to keep its occupants protected. When tested by the Euro NCAP organisation in 2018, the S60 was awarded the maximum five-star rating, including a huge 96 percent score for adult occupant safety.

Standard driver assistance systems include front collision warning with automatic braking, lane keeping assist, speed assist and a driver alert warning. There is also a host of airbags, along with Volvo’s ‘WHIPS’ whiplash protection system.

Volvo models traditionally have a strong association with towing, and the latest S60 is ready to continue that trend. Both engines can pull an unbraked trailers weighing up to 750kg, but there is a difference between the pair when it comes to braked trailers.

The front-wheel-drive B5 MHEV can tow a braked trailer or caravan up to 1800kg. Opting for the T8 Recharge PHEV increases this limit to 2000kg.

Volvo developed the S60 with the North American market in mind, and even builds some versions of it in the United States. As a result, the interior has been designed to be more accommodating than traditional European compact saloons. And that means more space.

The front seats feel particularly spacious, with plenty of headroom and a decent amount of legroom available. There is also lots of adjustment on offer, with lumbar options and extending front seat cushions for extra under-leg support.

Moving to the rear of the Volvo S60, space becomes slightly tighter than in the front. However, there is more room than you would find in a Jaguar XE or Alfa Romeo Giulia. The sloping roofline does eat into headroom, though, with anyone relegated to the middle seat likely to feel a tad cramped.

Boot capacity is determined by the choice of engine. In the B5 MHEV version, the Volvo S60 is able to accommodate 442 litres of luggage. This is on a par with the 450 litres found in a Jaguar XE, but lags behind the 480 litres of a BMW 3 Series, for instance.

Choosing the Volvo S60 T8 Recharge PHEV reduces luggage capacity by 36 litres, due to the need to accommodate a larger battery pack. The boot can be opened electrically as standard on both trim levels.

There is a definite sense of Scandinavian cool inside the Volvo S60, with a simple layout created from high-quality materials. It makes the car feel worth the slightly higher price tag, with every component feeling built to last.

Leather upholstery is standard on Plus and Ultimate trim levels, with a choice between two different colours. The ‘Blond’ leather brings an extra feeling of light and airiness to the cabin, although it might not be the best choice for those with young children.

The overall feeling of luxury exceeds that found in a BMW 3 Series or Audi A4.

Volvo was one of the first car manufacturers to embrace the multimedia touchscreen as a way to control almost every interior function. The Volvo S60 is no exception here, with a 9.0-inch central touchscreen mounted in a portrait-style position.

It does mean having to use the touchscreen to operate the climate control, although the temperature settings are easily visible on the main screen. Changing anything else requires delving into various menus, which is not ideal when on the move. A 12.3-inch virtual instrument panel is fitted as well.

Volvo has integrated Google directly into the  infotainment system, meaning instant access to Google Maps for navigation, along with voice searches. This also allows access to the Google Play store, plus the integration of apps such as Spotify for streaming music. Apple CarPlay connectivity is included, but wireless smartphone charging is only standard on the B5 MHEV model.

A 10-speaker 220W audio system is fitted as part of the Plus trim level, with the Ultimate version gaining a more powerful Dolby Pro Logic II setup. With 13 speakers, this has a considerable output of 600W, and comes with an integrated subwoofer.

Volvo has positioned itself as a premium brand, and prices for the S60 saloon reflect this. Buying one new will require just over £46,000 at the time of writing. This secures you a B5 mild-hybrid in entry-level Plus specification. Moving up to the plug-in hybrid T8 Recharge version will require a minimum of £49,000.

Given the Volvo S60’s relatively limited range, comparing it with other manufacturers is not easy. A BMW 3 Series can cost less than £40,000, but a 320i version will not have the same level of performance or standard equipment as the Volvo. A plug-in hybrid BMW 330e will cost just over £49,000.

The obvious impact of not having a diesel option in the engine range can be seen when it comes to the Volvo S60’s running costs.

As the entry-level engine option, a 250PS turbocharged four-cylinder petrol won’t be great for maximising fuel economy. On the official WLTP evaluation, the S60 B5 averages up to 39.8mpg. Using all of its performance will see this reduced, as there is only so much the mild-hybrid technology can do to help.

To understand how this translates into real-world fuel economy, be sure to check out our Real MPG section – and see what actual S60 owners have achieved.

Choosing the plug-in hybrid Volvo S60 T8 Recharge offers the potential for official fuel economy as high as 353.3mpg, with CO2 emissions of just 17g/km. Such figures are entirely reliant on keeping the S60’s batteries fully charged, and fuel economy will drop rapidly when running solely on the petrol engine.

The Volvo S60 T8 Recharge PHEV has the ability to cover around 56 miles on battery power only, making it more than suitable for most daily commutes.

An added bonus of the modest CO2 emissions and electric-only range is a very low Benefit-in-Kind company car tax rate. Choosing the S60 T8 Recharge PHEV will see drivers pay just eight percent, while the mild-hybrid S60 B5 attracts a much higher rate of 35 percent.

Volvo only offers the S60 with a three-year or 60,000-mile warranty. This isn’t particularly generous, but is still common among premium European brands at present – even if many mainstream alternatives offer more. For the T8 Recharge PHEV version, its lithium-ion battery pack is covered by a separate eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty.

Volvo has simplified the model range for the S60 saloon, meaning there are now only two trim levels available. These are both generous in the amount of equipment included, helping to justify the relatively high prices charged for the Volvo S60.

Standard specification on all versions includes LED headlights with active high beam assist, LED tail lights, a rear-view camera and front and rear parking sensors. The front grille is finished in piano black, while the exterior mirrors fold electrically.

A 9.0-inch multimedia touchscreen is fitted, supported by a 12.3-inch virtual instrument panel. There is a 10-speaker audio system, satellite navigation with Google Maps, and wireless smartphone charging on non-hybrid models.

The Pure trim level is now the starting point for the S60, but it would be unfair to describe it as ‘entry-level’. A set of 19-inch alloy wheels is fitted, along with a handsfree-opening electric boot. Pure spec also means that both front and rear seats are heated, and upholstered in leather. The steering wheel is heated as well, along with the windscreen.

Other benefits include four-zone climate control, keyless entry and a host of safety equipment. This includes a driver alertness monitoring system, blind-spot monitoring and autonomous braking.

Moving up to Ultimate specification adds even more equipment to the Volvo S60. This starts with the addition of Volvo’s Pilot Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control, giving the car a degree of autonomous driving capability.

There are also surround-view parking cameras, including side proximity sensors. The active headlights are able to bend around corners and feature ‘adaptive shadow technology’. A panoramic sunroof is fitted on Ultimate models, too, along with dark-tinted privacy glass.

Completing the Ultimate package is a 13-speaker Dolby Pro Logic II surround sound system, which features a ‘fresh air’ subwoofer.