The 2019 Volvo S60 brings the automaker's smallest sedan up to date with a raft of design and specification improvements to kick off its third generation. There’s a choice of two gas engines or a hybrid, front- or all-wheel drive, and three trim levels.
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What you must know before buying the Volvo S60- 2019 S60 available for order; 2018s still available
- Factory rebate steady at $3,500 on 2018s
- Lease a 2018 from $275 for 36 months
- See dealers for APR offers
Stocked to meet demand:
Volvo's entry-level sedan has been selling briskly since its introduction, and dealers are diligent about keeping a fine selection on hand. In fact, the 2018 S60 is easier to find than any other Volvo model.
The redesigned 2019 S60 is now available for order. Volvo hasn't announced any incentives on the 2019s yet, but we expect to see something once the model arrives in the flesh.
Current factory offers vary by region and will remain in effect until October 31, 2018. Examples shown here are for California and other western states.
Up to $4,500 off:
Every 2018 S60 comes with a $3,500 factory rebate, a very generous amount for this model.
As usual, current Volvo customers will get a $1,000 loyalty bonus for staying with the brand (or $500 toward a lease). The loyalty bonus is available on 2019s as well.
Outstanding lease value:
Once again, you can lease the front-drive 2018 T5 model in upscale Inscription trim from $275 for 36 months (10,000 miles a year) with $3,455 due at signing.
With an effective monthly cost of just $371, this is an exceptional deal for this class of vehicle. In fact, it's one of the best luxury leases available this month.
If you need all-wheel drive, we recommend the 2018 T6 R-Design, which goes for $439 a month with $3,619 down. We consider this an excellent value, if not as spectacular as the T5 lease.
Volvo has already announced lease specials on the 2019 S60. The T5 in base Momentum trim starts at $369 a month with $3,369 at signing. The T6 Inscription goes for $525 a month with $3,525 at signing. Neither lease is a particularly good value, but that's to be expected at this early stage. Offers will undoubtedly improve over the next year.
If you finance:
There are no APR specials yet on the 2018 or 2019 S60. For now, see your dealer for a rate quote.
Stocked to meet demand:
Volvo's entry-level sedan has been selling briskly since its introduction, and dealers are diligent about keeping a fine selection on hand. In fact, the 2018 S60 is easier to find than any other Volvo model.
The redesigned 2019 S60 is now available for order. Volvo hasn't announced any incentives on the 2019s yet, but we expect to see something once the model arrives in the flesh.
Current factory offers vary by region and will remain in effect until October 31, 2018. Examples shown here are for California and other western states.
Up to $4,500 off:
Every 2018 S60 comes with a $3,500 factory rebate, a very generous amount for this model.
As usual, current Volvo customers will get a $1,000 loyalty bonus for staying with the brand (or $500 toward a lease). The loyalty bonus is available on 2019s as well.
Outstanding lease value:
Once again, you can lease the front-drive 2018 T5 model in upscale Inscription trim from $275 for 36 months (10,000 miles a year) with $3,455 due at signing.
With an effective monthly cost of just $371, this is an exceptional deal for this class of vehicle. In fact, it's one of the best luxury leases available this month.
If you need all-wheel drive, we recommend the 2018 T6 R-Design, which goes for $439 a month with $3,619 down. We consider this an excellent value, if not as spectacular as the T5 lease.
Volvo has already announced lease specials on the 2019 S60. The T5 in base Momentum trim starts at $369 a month with $3,369 at signing. The T6 Inscription goes for $525 a month with $3,525 at signing. Neither lease is a particularly good value, but that's to be expected at this early stage. Offers will undoubtedly improve over the next year.
If you finance:
There are no APR specials yet on the 2018 or 2019 S60. For now, see your dealer for a rate quote.
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2019 Volvo S60 Overview
Neil Cumins, Automotive EditorWhat's New for 2019
The 2019 S60 is a completely new car, and the first Volvo ever to be built in America. There are new safety innovations and a more advanced infotainment system than the old S60, while styling elements are reminiscent of other recently-launched Volvos.
Choosing Your Volvo S60
Closely resembling the larger S90, the all-new S60 is a stylish compact luxury sedan. This third-generation model offers a combination of three powertrains and three trim levels. The T5 engine can only be acquired with front-wheel drive, whereas the more powerful T6 and hybrid T8 units come with all-wheel drive as standard. Every model has an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Each S60 is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine, generating 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque in T5 guise. A supercharger increases the T6’s output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, while the hybrid T8 is additionally bolstered by an electric motor. Collectively, the latter's two powerplants pump out 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, though fuel economy for the hybrid T8 has yet to be measured. The T5 returns an EPA-estimated 24 miles per gallon city, 36 mpg highway, and 28 combined, while the more powerful T6 delivers 21/32/25 mpg (city/highway/combined).
The S60 has always been impressively specified, and the new model has a wealth of standard safety features. It can detect and brake in response to pedestrians or animals, even in the dark, while a digital camera monitors lane markings and gently maintains position to prevent drifting out of lane.
The 2019 Volvo S60 is available in three trims: Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription.
Momentum
Starting at $36,795 (all prices include the $995 destination fee) with the T5 engine setup, the entry-level S60 Momentum is also available with the T6 for a $4,500 premium, while the T8 setup is unavailable. Standard features include a panoramic moonroof with opening front section, leatherette seating, a leather steering wheel and shift knob, LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, a nine-inch central touchscreen console, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and voice control.
The S60 is available in eight colors, though all but black are a $645 upcharge here. Other notable options include 19-inch wheels ($800), an exterior styling kit ($1,775), a rear diffuser with split end pipes ($595), and an active chassis with three selectable handling and ride modes ($1,000).
There are also five packages available. The Heated Front Seats & Heated Steering Wheel Package ($750) adds what the name suggests, while the Linear Lime Deco Inlay ($600) brings lime wood to the interior and increased interior illumination. The Premium Package ($2,100) includes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear park assist, keyless entry, a hands-free tailgate, auto dimming mirrors, power retractable rearview mirrors, HomeLink, and a compass in the rearview mirror. The Multimedia Package ($2,500) adds a 13-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, navigation, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Finally, the Advanced Package ($2,500) combines a surround-view camera, a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, adaptive headlights, a headlight cleaning system, and fog lights with cornering.
R-Design
A T5 R-Design starts at $42,895, while pricing begins at $47,395 for the T6 and $55,395 for the T8. The R-Design builds on the Momentum and adds keyless entry, a hands-free liftgate, the Harman Kardon audio system, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert as standard equipment. This model is distinguished by sport pedals, bespoke tread plates, an R-design steering wheel and gearshift knob, and a high gloss black grille, mirror caps, and window trim. A lowered sports chassis and paddle shifters for the eight-speed automatic gearbox are unique to this model.
All colors but black are still $645, 19-inch wheels are still $800, though the exterior styling kit now costs $1,520. Other options include integrated split end pipes ($340) and a 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system ($3,200), with an air-ventilated subwoofer and Kevlar speaker cones. The only packages available are the Advanced Package and the Heated Front Seats & Heated Steering Wheel Package, which are still priced the same as on the Momentum.
Inscription
The top-of-the-line Inscription trim costs $43,895 for the T5, $48,395 for the T6, and $56,395 for the T8. The $1,000 premium over R-Design models brings a number of unique specifications including swiveling LED fog lights, four-zone climate control, chrome window trim, chrome grille accents, and a leather-clad dashboard. Other interior details include leather seats, driftwood inlays, power front seats with lumbar support, and power cushion extensions.
The options outlined above for the R-Design are also available on Inscription models, though there's also more no-cost interior color choices here. A newly-available Nappa Leather with Massage and Ventilated Front Seats group ($2,200) includes power adjustable side support front seats with backrest massage capability.
CarsDirect Tip
The Momentum trim for the 2019 Volvo S60 is impressively specified, though the heated seats and steering wheel pack is an option many Volvo buyers tick almost automatically. The standard 18-inch alloy wheels also provide a slightly more comfortable ride than the 19-inch alternatives.
Our Take: 2019 Volvo S60
Anthony Sophinos, Automotive Editor
Like a grape that's been on the vine for too long, the 2018 S60 looked old and withered when compared to its recently-redesigned showroom siblings. The all-new 2019 Volvo S60, however, rectifies all that. With sharp new duds, a wholly modern interior, and the potential with real performance in the high-output T8 trim, the new S60 finally catches up to its brethren in both style and substance. Whether or not it can displace the reigning German champs in the compact luxury segment remains to be seen, but this handsome Swede sure isn't going down without a fight. It must be noted that we have not yet driven the new S60.
Best Value
Like other Volvos, the S60 is offered in three trim levels – Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription – with three powertrains, dubbed T5, T6, and T8. For those trying to build a budget sports sedan, don't get too excited. The base Momentum trim can't be paired with the top-shelf, 400-horsepower T8 hybrid powertrain. You can, however, get a competent and sprightly sedan for not a lot of cash in the form of the T6-powered Momentum. It comes with all the toys and gadgets that should keep you comfortable and cozy, and the turbo- and supercharged T6 four-cylinder engine delivers better performance than the turbo-only T5. Here's our S60 as it'd be shipped out of Volvo's South Carolina assembly line:
- Model: 2019 Volvo S60 Momentum T6
- Engine: Supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder
- Output: 316 hp / 295 lb-ft
- Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
- Drivetrain: All-wheel drive
- Fuel Economy: 21 City / 32 Hwy
- Options: Premium Package ($2,100, auto-dimming mirrors, HomeLink, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, keyless entry, hands-free tailgate, front and rear park assist, rearview mirror with compass, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster display), Advanced Package ($2,500, head-up display, LED fog and cornering lights, a surround-view camera, a semi-autonomous drive system with adaptive cruise control, active-bending lights, headlight washer system)
- Base Price: $41,295 (including a $995 destination fee)
- Best Value Price: $45,895
Performance
Volvo probably isn't the brand that first comes to mind when the word 'performance' is uttered, unless you're talking about their performance in the realm of automotive safety. But with the new S60, there's whiffs of something sporty in the air that have been notoriously absent from the safety-first Swedish brand.
Credit the R-Design trim for this. Unlike the Momentum and Inscription models, the R-Design uses exclusive suspension tuning as well as paddle shifters to change the dynamic of the S60 from that of a cossetting, luxurious sedan to one of more sporting and eager pretensions. Get it in T6 or T8 trims and the included all-wheel drive helps better balance the car while also mitigating any nose-heavy sensations that can be common to front-drive cars. If cornering shenanigans aren't to your taste, try the more comfort-oriented suspension found in non-R-Design cars, which offer a softer and suppler ride.
All available engines are 2.0-liter four-cylinders matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission, but the forms of forced induction differ for each choice. Starting things off is what Volvo calls the T5, a turbocharged mill that makes 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Though it's the least powerful, the EPA estimates it returns a thrifty 24 miles per gallon city, 36 mpg highway, and 28 combined, making it one of the more fuel-efficient luxury compacts out there.
Up next is the T6, which is both turbocharged and supercharged. Utilizing both forms of forced induction should deliver more power in a smoother manner than the turbo-only T5, and indeed, this motor in action in the XC90 or S90 has proven exactly that. In the S60, this motor puts out 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, and fuel economy checks in at 21/32/25 mpg (city/highway/combined).
Highest in prestige and power is the T8, which takes the T6 configuration and adds two electric motors. This plug-in hybrid system uses the electric juice to crank out an impressive 400 hp and a whopping 472 lb-ft of torque. The T8 setup isn't available until after its siblings launch, and the EPA hasn't tested its fuel economy.
Once we drive the new S60, we'll be back to report on it's driving dynamics and real-world performance.
Style
The old S60 was visibly archaic. The 2019 model finally introduces a new look for the old name, and just a passing glance over its taut and attractive silhouette makes us think it was worth the wait. Along the sides, the body tapers in just slightly, and it lets the the fenders subtly bulge outward like a gym rat's muscles after banging out a few sets. Up front, the very horizontally-oriented design makes the car feel low and wide, like larger luxury cars; the sculpted hood also heightens the sense of power and prestige. Out back, there's the telltale bracket-style taillights that clearly denote the lineage to the S90 and, to a lesser extent, the brand's crossovers. Overall, it's a limber and lean look that can clearly hold its own against the establishment. Don't be surprised if you start to see S60s peppering the lots of fine country clubs and other highbrow venues.
Inside, the makeover may be even more apparent. Gone is the 2000s-era dashboard and center-stack; it's been replaced by a sleek and chic cabin that's replete with fine materials, tasteful trimmings, and modern technology. The crown jewel of this new space is the big, vertically-mounted nine-inch touchscreen, whose capacitive screen houses the controls for most functions. We've found other Volvos to have an intuitive system with a mostly painless learning curve, so we have high hopes the S60 doesn't break tradition in that sense.
All S60s are well equipped, but check off the right boxes and you'll get a truly sumptuous automobile. There's available features like a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with driver display, a Bowens and Wilkens 1,100-watt, 15-speaker sound system, a semi-autonomous driving system, and massaging front seats.
The Best and Worst Things
The new style and handsome interior are sure winners, and should have no trouble wooing over buyers that are straying from the German luxo-car fold.
The pricing, however, does get steep very quickly – a loaded T8-powered S60 is breathing down the neck of $60,000. At that price, you could be driving many other larger, performance-oriented or prestigious automobiles.
Right For? Wrong For?
Someone who likes to buck convention but appreciates fine things would find themselves enjoying the tasteful, unique, and well-appointed S60.
If you're trying to get the flashiest, most prestigious, or the most performance-oriented luxury car, the Volvo will disappoint.
The Bottom Line
Volvo has come a long way since even just 10 years ago, when they were still floundering under Ford's indifferent leadership. From struggling to remain relevant to now building some of the industry's most attractive metal, Volvo is poised to finally play with the big boys in the luxury arena. The new 2019 Volvo S60 is the best definition yet of the Swedish brand's new direction, and is an excellent choice in the ultra-competitive segment of compact luxury cars.
