Used 2021 Volvo S60

The 2021 Volvo S60 is the Swedish brand’s compact luxury sedan. It competes with rivals like the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, and Acura TLX.

The Volvo S60 stands out with its long list of safety features, comfortable road manners, and an appealing price tag that starts thousands below its European rivals. The 2021 Volvo S60 is offered with three main powertrains. T5 models are front-wheel drive and use a turbocharged 250-horsepower 4-cylinder engine. T6 models have all-wheel drive standard and pack a 4-cylinder that is both turbocharged and supercharged to make 316 horsepower. And the T8 models, now called “Recharge,” are all-wheel drive and use a plug-in hybrid powertrain that is both efficient and powerful with 400 horsepower.

Volvo has long gone its own way, and where its competitors tout speed and dynamics, Volvo emphasizes safety and efficiency – though we also find the S60 a very competent handler. In addition to the usual purchase options, Volvo also offers a subscription service.

We drove an S60 was an R-Design, an all-wheel-drive (AWD) model equipped with a turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter inline-4 that sends 316 horsepower to all four wheels via a smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission.

We found the S60 to be a handsome, solid, quiet, and roomy sedan with plenty of headroom, even with the large panoramic sunroof. Backseat room is equally impressive, as a 6-foot-tall person can sit with ease behind a driver of the same height. The electric-assist power steering feels natural, and well-controlled body motions help this 5-seat Volvo stay composed on twisty and undulating roads. In those situations, it’s best to choose the Dynamic driving mode for its sharpened transmission and throttle response.

Volvo’s T6 engine makes great power with minimal turbo lag, and the all-wheel-drive powertrain means no torque steer comes through the S60’s steering wheel during brisk acceleration. The 8-speed automatic shifts smoothly and unobtrusively. Highway cruising in this new Volvo is both comfortable and relaxed.

In general, we find Volvos deftly split the comfort/sporty equation, combining a taut ride that is refined and pleasant enough for long highway commutes.

For 2021, Volvo has limited the S60’s speed to 112 mph – which is far above the legal limit anyway.

In Scandinavian fashion, the Volvo S60 has a handsomely uncluttered interior, one highlighted by large analog gauges and a 9-inch vertically oriented Sensus screen dominating the center stack. Swipe the screen one way, and you can call up multiple vehicle functions, everything from ESC Sport mode and Active Bending Lights to cruise control and Road Sign Information; swipe it the other way for handy apps like Spotify and Pandora.

While Sensus helps to de-clutter the S60’s dash, it’s not for everyone. Some people feel the multifunction screen forces the driver to look away from the road far too often. On a positive note, the S60’s heavily bolstered seats are quite comfortable, and they’re available in a good-quality Leatherette (Momentum model) or attractive leather (all the others). We Volvo’s details like the fun little Swedish flag sewn onto a side seam of the S60’s front seats. All told, the S60 exudes luxury inside, and the thick rim of the 3-spoke steering wheel feels substantial in your hands.

For 2021, two USB-C outlets have been added for rear-seat passengers, taking the place of the former 12-volt outlet.

Our eyes think the Volvo S60 is an especially attractive sedan, highlighted by its long hood, sweeping roofline, and short rear deck. Styling details that we particularly like include the sculpting on the hood and sides of the car, plus the S60’s distinctive T-shaped LED “Thor’s Hammer” front driving lights. In back, the LED taillights emphasize the width of the new S60.

A big badge in the middle of the S60’s diagonally bisected grille leaves no doubt that this is a Volvo. Nice standard upgrades for 2021 include retractable side mirrors, LED fog lights, and a new design to the standard 18-inch wheels. Larger 19-inch wheels are also available.

VALUE
While the S60’s BMW and Mercedes competitors now start over $40,000, the S60 has been able to begin well below that mark, more on par with rivals like the Acura TLX. Given the S60’s long list of standard features, we think it’s a great value.

CITY SAFETY
This safety technology, standard on all Volvos, combines automatic braking and other collision-avoidance systems to help keep you safe. Volvo says City Safety is the only system on the market that detects pedestrians, cyclists, and large animals such as moose and deer.

The 2021 Volvo S60 is available in three primary trims: Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription. From there, you get a choice of three powertrains: The front-wheel-drive T5 turbocharged 4-cylinder, the all-wheel-drive T6 that’s turbocharged and supercharged, and the Recharge T8 plug-in hybrid model. New this year is a lower-priced plug-in hybrid trim called the R-Design Expression, which has many features of the Momentum. Those specifics in mind, here are highlights of each trim.

Volvo S60 Momentum models include 10-way power front seats, dual-zone climate control, leatherette upholstery, panoramic moonroof, 18-inch alloy wheels, and keyless entry with a power trunk lid. The standard infotainment system is robust and includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 9-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a 10-speaker/220-watt audio system. Standard safety systems include lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.

S60 R-Design models include sportier blacked-out aesthetics, Nappa leather interior, 4-zone climate control, tailored dashboard, Harmon/Kardon premium audio, and front-seat extender.

S60 Inscription models have similar features as the R-Design but feature more elegant aesthetics and materials such as wood inlays.

2021 S60 sedans can be further outfitted with navigation, power-folding backrests, a head-up display, 360-degree camera system, wireless phone charger, heated front/freat seats and windshield wiper, and universal garage remote.

One option we suggest is Volvo’s Pilot Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system that combines adaptive cruise control and steering assist. We’ve found it really takes the stress out of long highway commutes and stop-and-go traffic.

R-Design and Inscription models can be had with a great sounding Bowers & Wilkins audio system.

Volvo offers three powertrain choices in its S60 sedan. The T5 powertrain, available only in front-wheel drive (FWD), features a turbocharged and direct-injected 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and surprisingly good low-end torque.

The T6 powertrain, found exclusively in the AWD S60 and featuring a turbocharged and supercharged version of the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, puts out 316 peak horsepower and a stout 295 lb-ft of torque.

The T8 powertrain also is exclusive to the AWD S60, but it’s a PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) powertrain featuring an onboard lithium-ion battery pack and a rear-mounted electric motor driving the back wheels. Total system output is an impressive 400 horsepower. This S60 travels up to 22 miles on electricity alone with a total range of 510 miles.

One gearbox is used throughout the S60 lineup: a smooth 8-speed automatic.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (T5)
250 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/34 mpg

2.0-liter turbocharged/supercharged inline-4 (T6)
316 horsepower @ 5,700 rpm
295 lb-ft of torque @ 2,200-5,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/32 mpg

2.0-liter turbocharged/supercharged inline-4 with plug-in hybrid (T8 eAWD Plug In Hybrid)
400 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
472 lb-ft of torque @ 2,200-5,400 rpm
EPA combined city/highway fuel economy: 30 mpg, 69 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent)