Buying a used Volvo S60 (2011-2017)

The Volvo S60 was launched in 2000, joining the S80 in filling gaps left by departing 7, 8 and 9-prefix cars.

It was related in design to the Ford Mondeo (and Taurus) and the Mazda6. The five-cylinder engine came unboosted with 125kW or turbocharged with 147kW.

The S60 was built only as a sedan and offered by Volvo Australia for 2001 with front-wheel drive and either engine. All-wheel drive was added from 2002 and a year later the range expanded to include the 220kW all-wheel drive S60R.

Shortly before the release of the second-generation S60 came a D5 version with AWD and a 154kW five-cylinder turbo-diesel engine.

In 2011, the Gen 2 Volvo S60 brought a modernised shape and significant mechanical upgrades. The smallest engine displaced 1.6 litres, the largest was a 3.0-litre six-cylinder with 224kW.

The only five-cylinder block to survive into the new range was the diesel, and of the revised design only six-cylinder versions now came with all-wheel drive.

New sheet-metal appeared for the 2014 model year, with major upgrades to safety equipment including pedestrian detection, cross traffic and blind spot warnings.

The 2014 update brought significant alterations to the model range and mechanical enhancements, but the biggest news was the inclusion of a very serious performance model – the twin-turbo S60 Polestar.

• Sunroof leaks leading to water damage in interior.
• Transmission problems leading to jerking and slipping.
• Suspension and steering wear leading to clunking noises.
• Engine oil consumption higher than average for a comparable vehicle of this age.

The second-generation Volvo S60 came to Australia in three levels of trim with three engines and a choice of front-wheel drive or AWD.

By mid-2012 dealer listings showed 11 versions, ranging from an entry-level T4 at $48,990 plus on-road costs to the T6 R-Design at $72,990 plus ORCs.

Base models made do with 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engines and 132kW. Seat trim at all price points was leather, with a power-adjustable driver’s seat with position memory. The sound system featured an impressive array of buttons, offering sound enhancements that probably required some technical expertise to exploit.

Steering was electrically assisted, with signals from hard-working front tyres coming via a chunky leather-bound wheel. It also carried buttons for an array of functions including cruise control and the entertainment system. Wheels on lower-spec cars were 17-inch alloys with 235-section tyres.

Step up to a T4 Teknik and the extra $5000 delivered self-activating headlights with washers, an inbuilt sat-nav system and what might have been the first blind spot warning system offered in our market.

Also in the mix was autonomous emergency braking (AEB), keeping watch at speeds of up to 50km/h for wandering pedestrians and lane-encroaching fellow motorists.

Above the T4 Teknik sat the T5 and T5 Teknik, both with 2.0-litre turbo engines and a vigorous 177kW. No all-wheel drive, though, and the same six-speed dual-clutch semi-auto system as in the T4.

T5s at the base level listed at an attractive $51,990 plus ORCs, with Teknik versions starting at $56,990. Scanning carsales.com.au for used S60 Teknik models turned up only a couple of examples, suggesting that few buyers when the cars were new showed interested in outlaying $5K on the grab-bag of sat-nav and extra sensors.

D3 versions with their turbo-diesel engines are almost as scarce and haven’t held value at the same levels as petrol cars. The T3 listed at $54,990 plus ORCs, the engine delivered 120kW with 400Nm of torque and completed 0-100km/h in 9.0 seconds.

Anyone wanting a Volvo which ran 0-100 in 6.0sec should give the T6 a try. These were the only S60s with a turbocharged six-cylinder engine and required a conventional six-speed automatic transmission.

They were also the only ones with a Haldex all-wheel drive system, which from 2013 would drive as a normal front-wheel drive but in extreme cases where all traction up front was lost would funnel all the torque to the rear differential. Electro-hydraulic actuation reduced weight and complexity of the AWD componentry.

For 2014 the S60 got a new nose and brand-new set of model names, headed by the twin-turbo Polestar. Lower down the order the basic T4 was now called Kinetic and cost $49,990. Its better-equipped counterpart was simply called ‘Luxury’.

Beyond there came the D4 turbo-diesel, also in Kinetic and Luxury specification, followed by the same versions in 180kW T5 form, then the $72,000 T6 R-Design. Way beyond it, with twin-turbos and costing $109,990 plus ORCs, was the S60 Polestar. These all now included eight-speed automatic transmission with Sport mode.

The $110K being asked for a Polestar was still less than Audi or BMW wanted for cars with similar performance and features.

With 254kW, Brembo brakes, 19-inch alloys and 40-profile tyres (with 20s and 35-profile optional), the Polestar gave fans of Volvo’s Supercars participation a car to mirror their enthusiasm.

At $71,990 plus ORCs, the T6 R-Design toned down the ferocity but only a bit. Its straight six still punched out a very respectable 242kW and there were other attractions including improved seats, a proximity key, Xenon headlights, heated folding mirrors and paddle shifters to make driving in Sport mode a little more enjoyable.

You rarely hear Volvo jokes any more, nor jibes about people in hats using their Swedish status symbol as a mobile motorway blockade.

Perhaps lots of those people now drive Lexus or BMW cars, or because late-model Volvos lack the distinctive shapes of older models and blend so easily into the urban carscape.

Basic petrol and turbo-diesel Volvo S60 models still offer lively performance, with typically excellent seats and a spacious cabin. Even cheap ones have spec sheets packed with gadgets, no outstanding attributes but no horrendous flaws either.

Diesels are available only with automatic transmission, which could disappoint people who crave the impressive average speeds and fuel economy available from a thoughtfully driven manual diesel.

The dash might be concealing Mondeo architecture but Volvo has managed to create character and make everything accessible without ending in a cluttered mess. The Polestar steering wheel could be gifted a bit more character, though.

Big mirrors and blind spot sensors compensate for skimpy side windows but not much can be done with a roofline that must hurt headroom for the tall.

Boot space is a bit stingy too, especially since Volvo doesn’t even supply a proper spare wheel – and if you carry one there won’t be space for much else.

Wheel/tyre packages influence ride quality, with 50-profile on 17-inch wheels offering a reasonable compromise for people who need to tackle rough conditions.

Certainly, you wouldn’t want to be going bush in a Polestar with optional 35-profile rubber on fat rims that work fine when the going is smooth but won’t deal at all well with corrugations.

Primary and secondary safety is almost perfect. When tested against Euro NCAP criteria, various versions of the Volvo S60 produced a best result of 36.34 from a possible 37 points and easily achieved a five-star rating.

Economy from petrol-engined cars ranged from a combined 7.4L/100km for 1.6-litre versions to 13.6L/100km recorded by a Polestar during real-world media testing. Turbo-diesel versions are said to average 5.9L/00km and will tow a braked trailer of up to 1800kg.

The Volvo S60 is close to perfect for the family with bored offspring, just falling short due to its lack of rear seat entertainment as standard.

The DVD player and screens were available in other markets but presumably the US option cost, which translated to $A3000, was more than our market was deemed likely to bear.

Rear legroom is average for a car of this size and access to install child seats is okay.

The boot takes 30 per cent less luggage than an Audi S4 and space for that big child pusher will be compromised. If you need more space then perhaps hunt down a Volvo V60 wagon.

• S60s have been subject to lots of factory-initiated recalls during their lifespan and even recently. Reasons for recalls included airbag and seat belt faults, and potential engine overheating so serious it could cause a fire and brake issues. Volvo dealers when given the VIN for any vehicle you’re considering will let you know of any unresolved issues.
• Owners early in the S60’s life reported problems with erratic transmission upshifting in automatic cars. Affected transmissions were remapped but a car that holds a ratio for too long or upshifts in quick succession may be suffering a recurrence.
• Turbo-petrol versions are known to use oil, so check the level every month or 2000km. If a car is visibly blowing exhaust smoke, avoid it completely.
• Engines in some cars can be running less coolant than is safe, so be aware of overheating.
• Check rims for bumps and buckles, especially on cars that run ultra-low-profile tyres.

RedBook Inspect mobile inspectors can take the guesswork out of buying a car with a comprehensive vehicle inspection.

Used vehicle grading for Volvo S60 (2011-17)
Design & Function: 13/20
Safety: 16/20
Practicality: 14/20
Value for Money: 12/20
Wow Factor: 14/20 (Polestar)
Score: 69/100

Also consider: Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Lexus IS 350, Mercedes-Benz C-Class