2011 Volvo S60

The 2011 Volvo S60 is being hailed as the sportiest Volvo yet. When it comes to Upscale Midsized Cars it is Ranked 7 out of 21. This is based on a dozen reviews, test drives and specification analysis. Enthusiasts will appreciate how Volvo balanced sports, style, performance and safety in the S60.

Performance

The S60 is available in one trim with an optional moon roof. The S60 sport is All Wheel Drive, Automatic Twin-Scroll, Turbocharged Gas V6 3.0L/180 machine that delivers stunning horsepower. Mileage is 18 miles per gallon for City and 26miles per gallon in the highway. The S60 is available in only one model and starts at $37,700.

Performance is unparalleled. The 2011 S60 is a huge improvement to the 2009 model. Volvo knows its target market in the S60. Volvo goes backs to its roots in terms of safety and goes off the reservation in terms of styling and performance in the S60. This leads to stunning reviews on all features and the most that reviewers can fault the S60 is the standard 6 speed transmission which is not on par with the engine and performance.

Exterior & Interior

Volvo S60 gets high marks for exterior and interior styling. The rating of 9.5 speaks for itself and most agree that the .5 missing is a consideration for preference. The s60 is both handsome as a gentleman and muscular like a work horse, reminiscent of the Aston Martin. Most Volvo owners and/or enthusiast picture a Volvo interior as classy and minimalist but the S60 is not a standard Volvo.

The dashboard is filled with buttons that provide creature comforts at the touch of a button. The dash is tilted towards the driver which indicates that the S60 is all about driver experience. Front seats are excellent and provide superior amount of legroom. The seats are orthopedic which ensures superior rear and back support especially in high speed turns which the driver will certainly try a lot. In contrast is the passenger leg room which could use a few more inches. Standard amenities such as the center display screen, Bluetooth, automatic climate control and trip compute are a welcome addition.

Safety & Reliability

Volvo gets a perfect score for safety, nuff said! Okay, let us elaborate. While unfortunately federal a crash test review is still unavailable, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety names it one of the top safety picks in terms of front, side, rear and roof strength. This coupled with the over the top standard Volvo safety package that includes traction control, six airbags, automated city safe brakes system, blind spot information system, park assist, pedestrian detection and auto brake function.

This is obviously the weakest point of the S60. However this figure is not a direct reflection of the 2011 S60 model since reliability test is based on three years trending, with the 2009 model having scored less in terms of safety then it would seem that the 2011 model if rated independently should have a higher safety rating. Standard S60 warranty is the five year or 60,000 miles warranty and five years roadside assistance.

Competition

The S60 delivers a sporty exterior, classy interior, great performance and superior safety. However there are cheaper and sportier alternatives in the market. Also, the 2011 Volvo S60 has a lot of tough competition from BMW and Audi. The BMW 3-Series (MSRP $34,600; 18 city / 28 hwy) a serious contender to the Upscale Midsize category is however more expensive than the Volvo. The Audi which boasts a 211 horsepower engine which is amazing enough fuel efficient is probably the strongest competition of the S60 but the former still behind Volvo in terms of safety and overall performance. The Audi S4 (MSRP $47,100; 18 city / 27 hwy) would be a better competitor for the Volvo but at a higher price tag.

Overall Rating
72 out of 100

What others say:

“Volvo is no longer just for those who want to play it safe; the new S60 is a stylish and well-designed sport sedan that’s very enjoyable to drive – even if it trades off a bit of edginess for comfort and refinement.”Car Connection

“Acceleration is robust from any speed, with almost no turbo lag. Throttle response is snappy from a stop, and passing power is excellent.”Consumer Guide

“Powerful engine; smooth ride; instantly comfortable front seats; cutting-edge safety features.”Edmunds

“Not only is the S60 the most attractive Volvo sedan ever, it is also much more fun to drive that the brand’s safety reputation might suggest.”KBB

Specifications

General Info
Vehicle Type: Sedan Base Price: $37,700.00
Fuel Tank Capacity: 17.8 gallons (67 liters) Miles Per Gallon: 18 city / 26 hwy
Dimensions
Length: 182 in. (462 cm) Width: 73.4 in. (186 cm)
Height: 58.4 in. (148 cm) Wheel Base: 109.3 in. (277 cm)
Curb Weight: 3901 lbs (1769.5 kg) Curb to Curb Turning Radius: 39 ft.
Luggage Capacity: 12 cu ft Maximum Seating: 5 people
Performance
Engine: DOHC 24-valve inline-6 Displacement: 3.0 liter
Horsepower: 300 HP Max RPM: 5600 RPM
Torque: 325 lb-ft @ 2100 rpm Transmission: 6-Speed Shiftable Automatic
0-60 mph: 5.8 seconds Max Towing Capacity: 3300 lbs (1496 kgs)
Available Trims & Engine
Option:2012 S60 Sedan T5, 5 cylinder MSRP: $31,150; MPG: 20 city / 30 hwy
Option:2012 S60 Sedan T6, 6 cyl. MSRP: $37,900; MPG: 18 city / 26 hwy
Option:2012 S60 Sedan R Design MSRP: $42,500; MPG: 18 city / 26 hwy

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