One of many fine entries in the compact luxury class, the Volvo S60 serves up understated elegance and a range of engines and equipment to satisfy a broad swath of the market.
What's New for 2015
Front-drive versions of the S60 get two all-new four-cylinder engines, dubbed Drive-E, that provide better efficiency than the five-cylinder they replace.
Choosing Your Volvo S60
The S60 line now offers four engine choices. Front-drive models carry the 2-liter four-cylinder turbocharged Drive-E engines. The standard E-Drive is good for 240 horsepower, and the supercharged version puts out 302. (Yes, the optional Drive-E is both turbocharged and supercharged.) A new 8-speed automatic transmission comes with both engines.
All-wheel drive models continue with either a turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder with 250 horsepower or a 325-horsepower 3-liter V6 turbo, both of which carry a 6-speed automatic with manual shift mode.
Trim levels are broken out by drivetrain:
T5 Drive-E FWD:
Carries the 240-horsepower Drive-E engine and standard features such as automatic wipers, heated mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power drive seat with memory, and an eight-speaker sound system with CD, USB connectivity, and HD and satellite radio.
- W/ Premier Package: Includes leather seating with passenger power, a sunroof, keyless access and ignition, bright window trim, a configurable instrument display and an auto-dimming mirror.
- W/ Premier Plus Package: Adds to the above a quick-fold front passenger seat, a grocery bag holder and a rearview camera.
- W/ Platinum Package: Includes all the Premiere equipment, plus navigation, ambient interior light, auto-dimming and -folding side mirrors, and an upgraded 12-speaker sound system.
- W/ Climate Package: Adds heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a heated windshield with heated washers, and an active cabin filter.
- W/ Technology Package: Comes with adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, driver-attention warning, lane-departure warning, and a collision alert system with automatic braking and pedestrian and cyclist detection.
- W/ Sport Package: Equips the T5 with 18-inch alloy wheels, paddle shifters, front sport seats and a sport-tuned suspension.
- W/ Blind Sport Information Package: Features front and rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, and a blind-spot warning system.
T5 AWD:
Shares the T5's features and options, but carries the 2.5-liter five-cylinder along with all-wheel drive.
T6 Drive-E FWD:
Gets the supercharged Drive-E engine with 302 horsepower, plus the contents of the Premier and Sport packages as standard equipment.
T6 R-Design AWD:
Gets the 3-liter V6 and all-wheel drive along with special wheels and exterior styling details, upgraded brakes and suspension, sportier interior trim and most of the contents of the Premiere Package as standard.
You can add bi-xenon headlights and a rear-seat entertainment system with dual displays to any S60.
CarsDirect Tip
By design, the S60 covers a lot of market territory. That's actually a good thing, but be aware that its price can get away from you quickly as you add option packages, and there are many to tempt you.
