2024 Volvo S60 Review

The Volvo S60 is the last sedan remaining in the Volvo stables, with the choice of a conventional petrol engine and a fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid powertrain at the top of the range.

Designed to go head-to-head with some of the biggest names in Europe, the Volvo S60 is said to blend comfort, technology and power in a safe and luxurious package, but how does it hold up against its main rivals?

Let’s take a closer look at the MY24 Volvo S60 lineup to see how it stacks up as a premium sedan and if it’s worth a hefty slice of your hard-earned dollars.

Volvo S60 Competition

How Much Does the Volvo S60 Cost?

The 2024 Volvo S60 range is offered in two variants here in Australia.

Prices for the entry-level S60 stand at $69,990 for the S60 Ultra B5 Bright, while the range-topping S60 Recharge T8 Black Edition is priced at $88,990.

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

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Volvo S60 T8 Black Edition PHEV Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the Volvo S60 Have?

Volvo’s entry-level S60 B5 Bright comes riding on a set of 19-inch alloys and receives adaptive LED headlights, leather upholstery with heated front & rear seats, keyless entry & start, a panoramic sunroof, four-zone climate control, a 12.0-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, a surround-view monitor, a crystal gear shifter and aluminium sill plates.

Stepping up to the S60 Recharge T8 Black Edition adds a set of black 21-inch alloys, as well as black Nappa leather upholstery with seat ventilation and an Onyx black front grille and paint finish.

Volvo S60 Connectivity & Infotainment Features

The 2024 Volvo S60 range comes packaged with a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display sitting vertically on the dashboard.

The system is equipped with Google Maps-based satellite navigation, DAB+ digital radio and is paired with a 10-speaker, 220W sound system in the base model.

Upgrading to the S60 Recharge T8 upgrades the sound system to a whopping 15-speaker unit provided by Bowers & Wilkins.

Does the Volvo S60 Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

The Volvo S60’s infotainment system runs on software designed by Google Automotive, which means it operates Android Auto natively, with a hands-free wireless connection.

For iPhone owners, you’ll need to connect your phone via a USB cable in order to access Apple CarPlay on the move.

Is the Volvo S60 Comfortable to Drive?

As per usual with Volvo’s passenger cars, the S60 is impressively comfortable, with the range-topping S60 Recharge offering a staggering amount of power.

With two distinctly different personalities on offer, the S60 impresses with its versatility, remaining smooth around town with outstanding acceleration, particularly in the flagship S60 PHEV.

Under the bonnet, Volvo’s entry-level S60 picks up a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with mild hybrid tech that pushes out 183kW of power and 350Nm of torque.

This gives it a 0-100km/h sprint time of 6.5 seconds and more than enough acceleration to whoosh you up the highway or brief overtakes.

Upgrading to the S60 T8 Recharge PHEV, however, throws in an electric motor and a substantial 18.8kWh battery pack that lifts power to a massive 340kW/709Nm, which drops the 0-100km/h time to just 4.5 seconds.

With undeniable straight-line pace, the S60 impresses with its well-mannered nature around town, where it remains smooth and stable, even with the larger 21-inch alloys fitted to the T8 Recharge. 

It’s not the most dynamic vehicle in the segment when pushed in the corners, though it is one of the most capable all-rounders if you’re after a long-distance tourer with a comfortable suspension package. 

Pushed on country roads, the S60’s suspension handles a hefty amount of punishment, keeping the body planted and helping to inspire confidence on a mix of road surfaces.

All things considered, the S60 is a dream behind the wheel. It’s happy to chew up countless country kilometres while remaining comfortable around town, with outright silly power figures on offer in the flagship T8 Recharge.

Is the Volvo S60 Fuel Efficient?

Both the S60 B5 and T8 Recharge receive some form of hybrid assistance aimed at dropping fuel economy figures.

In the base, mild-hybrid B5, Volvo says you’re likely to average 7.2L per 100km on a combined cycle, which drops to just 1.4L per 100km in the case of the T8 Recharge.

In order to hit the latter, though, you’ll need the battery pack to be fully charged to provide maximum assistance for the petrol engine with its electric motor.

How Far Can the Volvo S60 PHEV Drive on Electric Power?

The range-topping Volvo S60 Recharge is packaged with a pretty sizable 18.8kWh battery pack that offers a claimed 90km of driving on electric power alone, on the more lenient NEDC test cycle.

Is the Volvo S60 Practical and Spacious?

While its on-road performance on the road may hint at a more sporty nature, the S60 remains a truly practical and premium sedan that impresses on looks, feels and interior space.

Step inside the Volvo S60 and things are a familiar affair, with its cabin mirroring that of the XC60 midsize SUV.

This means there’s a relatively clean design on offer across the dashboard, with a simple set of buttons beneath the display, accented air vents and some lovely materials used throughout that make it feel deserving of a premium price tag.

The low-slung seating position helps to give it sporty first impressions while lending itself well to the purpose of adding a healthy amount of headroom for tall drivers.

Storage options in the front of the Volvo S60 are limited.

The list of practical touches includes a pair of cupholders, a shallow storage area underneath the armrest, a small stash for smartphones between the two, a sizable glovebox and some door bins hiding in the flanks.

Move to the rear and things are, thankfully, more practical - making the S60 a viable family car indeed.

With acres of legroom in the rear of the cabin, the seating experience in the second-row fo the S60 is first class.

Headroom is decent, though the panoramic sunroof does eat away at the potential for even more accommodation for taller rear occupants, but overall, things are undeniably spacious.

The S60’s second row picks up USB-C chargers as well as a folding centre armest with cupholders, door bins and storage net options, ticking all the important boxes in the back of the cabin.

For parents, the S60 is packaged with two pairs of ISOFIX anchors as well as three top tether mounts behind the seatbacks, with no issues in terms of fitting three child seats across the rear bench. 

How Big is the Volvo S60’s Boot?

In terms of cargo capacity, the Volvo S60 has a boot that measures 442L, which means it falls short of some of the most capacious sedans in the segment, though offers enough to get the job done for an average-sized family.

The S60’s rear bench folds in a 60:40 split manner to help accommodate large, bulky items and sports gear, making it reasonably practical for the premium, sporty sedan segment - but it doesn’t lead the charge.

Is the Volvo S60 Safe?

As you’d expect from a modern Volvo vehicle, the Volvo S60’s safety credentials are rock-solid.

The S60 receives autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alerts, Pilot Assist, a surround-view monitor with front & rear parking sensors, traffic sign detection and curtain airbags as standard.

No active safety features are reserved for the flagship S60 T8 Recharge, which is a particularly nice touch for price-conscious buyers.

Does the Volvo S60 Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

The Volvo S60 has scored a five-star ANCAP safety rating from testing in 2018, though the range-topping S6 T8 Recharge remains unrated.

• Adult Occupant Protection: 96%

• Child Occupant Protection: 88%

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 74%

• Safety Assist: 77%

What Warranty Does the Volvo S60 Come With?

Volvo offers the S60 range with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty, with five years of roadside assist bundled in.

The S60 T8 Recharge’s battery is also backed by an additional eight-year warranty.

Service intervals sit at the regular 12-month/15,000-kilometre mark, with three- and five-year pre-paid service packages on offer which are priced at $1,750 and $3,000, respectively.

Our Verdict: Is the Volvo S60 Worth it?

While the sun may be setting on the sedan segment here in Australia, the Volvo S60 asserts itself as one of the most versatile and well-equipped in the segment.

With silent, fuel-efficient driving and outlandish power on offer in the flagship, the T8 Recharge remains the most desirable in the lineup, though the entry-level B5 remains a rock-solid option for buyers looking for a comfortable, premium sedan.

Don’t forget that if you’re looking to upgrade to a new car, our team of car-buying experts can help take the stress out of the process and can even find you the best possible price.

Five Volvo S60 Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. Eight-year warranty for PHEV battery pack

3. 90km electric range (NEDC test cycle)

4. Five-star ANCAP safety rating (T8 Recharge remains unrated)

5. 442L boot space