2024 Volvo S60 Sedan

　　

2024 Volvo S60 Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　One of today's underrated compact luxury sedans, the Volvo S60 doesn't typically find its way into the conversation with class standouts like the BMW 3 Series or Audi A4. And while the 2024 Volvo S60 isn't as athletic as those rivals, or offer Mercedes-like indulgence, it provides its own brand of ice-cool luxury, with high-quality cabin materials, sublime seat comfort, and advanced driver and safety aids. It also offers a rarity for the class: a plug-in hybrid option. For drivers who prefer fluidity to fireworks in a luxury sedan, the S60 earns its place alongside its more vocal peers.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 Volvo S60 B5 Core 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$157/mo  for S60 B5 Core

　　S60 B5 Core

　　B5 Core 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $42,000 MSRPB5 Core 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $44,300 MSRPB5 Plus 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $44,950 MSRPB5 Plus 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) (Most Popular) - $47,250 MSRPB5 Plus Black Edition 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $46,650 MSRPB5 Plus Black Edition 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $48,950 MSRPB5 Ultimate 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $49,750 MSRPRecharge T8 Core 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $51,950 MSRPRecharge T8 Plus 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $54,900 MSRPRecharge T8 Plus Black Edition 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $56,600 MSRPRecharge T8 Ultimate 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $57,400 MSRPRecharge T8 Ultimate Black Edition 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $58,550 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　

zzdcar spotlight: Plug in for power

Among the features that set the 2024 Volvo S60 apart from its rivals — exceptionally comfy seats, understated style, standout Bowers & Wilkins audio system — is its optional plug-in powertrain. The Recharge T8, as it's called, pairs a rechargeable electric motor with a turbocharged gas engine for both increased fuel efficiency (the EPA rates it at up to 530 miles of range on a full tank and battery) and about 40 miles of all-electric range. The S60 Recharge also adds a wallop of horsepower and nearly double the low-end torque of the standard gas engine, and it can refill its battery in five hours on a 240-volt charger. We'd take the Recharge for its extra performance and efficiency, even with the nearly $10K premium.

　　

Competitors to consider

The compact luxury sedan class is flush with choices, starting with established benchmarks like the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Then there are more affordable alternatives like the Cadillac CT4 and Genesis G70. All offer sharper handling compared to the S60 (the Mercedes leans into its luxury roots more than any performance pedigree), which is closer in execution to the similarly cushy Lexus IS 350. The S60 has an edge with its optional plug-in hybrid, though. BMW offers the only other rechargeable rival.

　　

Which S60 does zzdcar recommend?

The base trim comes well equipped, but we think it's worth the stretch to the midlevel Plus trim. It builds on the Core trim with upgrades that make daily drives more pleasant, including leather upholstery, cabin air purifier, and additional safety aids such as adaptive cruise control and lane-centering for reduced stress on long drives. A surround-view camera and front and rear parking sensors also make parking easier.

　　

Volvo S60 models

The 2024 Volvo S60 is sold in Core, Plus and Ultimate trim levels. All trims offer either the B5 or Recharge T8 powertrain. The former pairs a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (247 hp, 258 lb-ft of torque) with an eight-speed automatic transmission and the choice of front- or all-wheel drive (AWD only for Ultimate trim). The Recharge T8 combines the B5 engine with a plug-in hybrid system for more power (455 hp, 523 lb-ft), greater fuel efficiency, and up to 40 miles of all-electric range. It only comes with all-wheel drive.

　　Core

　　The base trim comes well equipped with:

　　18-inch wheels Adaptive LED headlights Panoramic sunroof Keyless entry and ignition Interior ambient lighting Dual-zone automatic climate control Synthetic leather upholstery Heated front seats (AWD only) 12.3-inch digital driver display screen 9-inch touchscreen display Google Maps navigation Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Four USB-C ports 10-speaker audio system (11 speakers with Recharge T8) Whiplash-protection front seatsAdvanced driving aids and safety features include:

　　Forward collision mitigation (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time) Blind-spot warning (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Blind-spot intervention (automatically steers the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle's blind spot) Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position) Rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while in reverse) Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking) Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle) Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)Plus

　　The Plus expands on the base model with:

　　Leather upholstery Upgraded interior ambient lighting Power-folding rear seats and headrests Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the S60 and the car in front) Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) 360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the S60 and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Front parking sensors Ultimate

　　The fully loaded Ultimate adds:

　　19-inch wheels Front seats with power-extendable seat bottom Passenger seat memory settings Four-zone automatic climate control (B5 only) Crystal gear shifter 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)All trim levels come standard with the Dark exterior styling theme, which adds gloss black exterior trim. The optional Black Edition package goes a step further by adding the crystal gearshift, front seat-bottom power extension, passenger seat memory settings, and black 19-inch wheels (Core and Plus trims only), along with a black grille emblem, black badging, and black interior upholstery and headliner (only available in Onyx Black and Crystal White paint colors).

　　The S60 only offers a few other options, including:

　　Climate package Heated front seats (FWD only) Heated rear seats Heated steering wheel Headlight spray cleaners 19-inch wheels (Core and Plus trims only) 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system (Plus trim only) 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system (Ultimate trim only)

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