2025 Volvo S60

If the 2025 Volvo S60 was an all-new compact luxury sedan today, it would still gain our respect. There are so many aspects to the car that we like, such as the overall comfort and refinement, the relatively roomy cabin, and even the styling. The majority of our owner reviews say similar things. However, this third generation of S60 launched for the 2019 model year and Volvo is concentrating on all-electric SUVs these days. Newer rivals are attracting that dwindling pool of buyers who still prefer this kind of vehicle.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of compact luxury cars, including the Volvo S60.

Volvo has ceased production of the S60. There is a 2025 model, though. As a farewell flourish, the S60’s top trim changes its name from Ultimate to Ultra, and the T8 plug-in hybrid loses the Recharge part of its title.

The B5 Plus has been a popular choice, with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD).

Although the S60 passes into history, there are still some great compact luxury sedans, like the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and Genesis G70. The two Germans begin at prices higher than the S60’s, while the G70 is similar.

Resale values of the S60 are a little below the class average. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The B5 version of the Volvo S60 has 247 horsepower, enabling a standstill-to-60 mph acceleration time of 6.4 seconds. The added traction of all-wheel drive shaves off 0.2 of a second. For comparison, the 255-hp BMW 330i is about one second faster, while the Mercedes-Benz C 400 (with the same power as the BMW) would come second in this hypothetical 3-car drag race.

We wouldn’t call the S60 athletic, but we do think it’s comfortable. From the seats to the suspension, the S60 can handle long trips without creating unnecessary driver fatigue.

The T8 plug-in hybrid could scratch that itch for better performance as well as superior fuel economy. It develops a considerable 455 hp and hits 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, yet rides just as smoothly as its B5 stablemate.

Fuel Economy

With front-wheel drive, the B5 setup achieves 30 mpg in combined city/highway driving. Subtract 2 mpg with all-wheel drive in the mix. That’s in the same ballpark as top rivals like the BMW 330i and the Mercedes-Benz C 300.

The T8 plug-in hybrid can travel for up to 41 miles using just the battery’s energy. When operating as a regular hybrid, it’s rated at 31 mpg combined.

Volvo’s logical and no-frills approach to interior design has enabled the S60’s cabin to remain attractive, even if the 9-inch infotainment touchscreen is on the small side these days. At least the materials and build quality are still competitive for this luxury sector. And Volvo has a well-deserved reputation for its extremely comfortable seats, especially those in front.

We’ve also found passenger space to be adequate. Rear legroom of 35.2 inches is second only to the C-Class (with 36 inches). It’s when we get around to the trunk that’s there a slight disappointment. The S60’s volume of 11.6 cubic feet isn’t bad for the class, but the BMW 3 Series conquers all with 16.9 cubic feet.

Maybe one day, at car design school, tutors will show a picture of the S60 sedan as an example of styling that weathered the years and trends exceptionally well. We still think it looks great, in that distinctly Volvo way. The Black Edition package offered with the top Ultra trim brings exterior accents in, um, black.

There’s a wagon version of the S60, the 2025 Volvo V60, which we review separately.

Pilot Assist
This combination of adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assistance and road sign recognition takes some of the grind out of long highway stretches. It’s a standard feature, and we’ve found that it works well.

All-wheel drive
Optional in the lower trims, standard higher up, all-wheel drive brings confidence in rough weather and enhanced traction in the dry.

BLIS
The opposite of ignorance, BLIS — or Blind Spot Information System — makes drivers aware of vehicles that otherwise aren’t perceived so easily. We’re always happy to see safety features like this come as standard.

After run parking climate
We like how considerate this standard feature is. For those times when you want to stay in the car at the end of a drive, perhaps to catch that favorite part of a song or the rest of a weather report, the climate system remains active even though the engine is turned off.

Infotainment system
Even though there’s a bit of a learning curve, we still appreciate this Google-based system. In part because of how it obeys voice commands given in natural speech. And we’ve found the Google Maps app great for navigation.

Bowers & Wilkins audio
At $3,200, it’s a little pricey. And it’s only available as an option with the top Ultra trim. But we think about audio systems like most people think about mattresses — you’re going to use it a lot, so why not invest in a good one? This 15-speaker/1,410-watt example is, to our ears, among the absolute best.

The base B5 drivetrain in the 2025 S60 employs a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 247 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, which feels no more than adequate. This goes through an 8-speed automatic transmission to a standard front-wheel-drive configuration. All-wheel drive is optional with the two lower trims and standard in the Ultra.

The alternative is the T8 plug-in hybrid setup, with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that’s both turbocharged and supercharged, augmented by an electric motor for a muscular total output of 455 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive is standard in the T8. An 8-speed automatic transmission is deployed here as well.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Volvo provides bumper-to-bumper limited protection and powertrain protection for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. This is typical among European luxury vehicle manufacturers. The company also includes free scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles. The plug-in hybrid battery is covered for eight years or 100,000 miles.

Safety Ratings

Previous model years saw the Volvo S60 receiving the highest accolade of Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). A more recent version took a top score of Good in an updated small overlap front impact test. The S60 was also awarded the maximum overall score of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).