2001 Volvo S60 Review

Volvo's stuffy old image is disappearing fast, with stodgy models consigned to a chapter in its history.



The Volvo has been the soccer mom's sedan or wagon of choice. But the Swedish automaker wants more younger, childless buyers from Generation X. Most buyers now are married with two kids.



Unlike Oldsmobile, Volvo is doing a good job changing its image. For one thing, sleek new styling is making it hard to recognize a Volvo, which looked like a box on wheels for decades.



Moreover, Volvos were a snore to drive. It felt as if you were at the wheel of a 1950s U.S. sedan or wagon.



The stylish C70 and rakish, luxurious S80 Volvos have been joined for 2001 by the slick S60 mid-range sedan line, which replaces the old S70 design.



Volvo says the S60 has "a coupe profile and sporty soul" and completes the transformation of Volvo line styling while "interjecting new emotion."



Besides adding styling pizzaz to Volvo, the 2001 S60 contributes to its growing reputation as a maker of high-performance models with its hot T5 model.



Volvo and performance? You bet. Volvo started here in the 1950s with practical-but-sporty PV444 and PV544 two-door sedans that beat sports cars in races. (Volvo always has used lots of letters and numbers in model names.)



There are three S60 sedan models. They weigh about 3,300 pounds and come with inline 2.3- or 2.4-liter five-cylinder engines with overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. They have a two-inch-longer wheelbase than the S70, but are about half a foot shorter, an inch taller and about two inches wider.



The base 2.4 M model has 168 horsepower and costs $26,500. It provides decent performance. The turbocharged $29,800 2.4T A has 197 horsepower for those who want more zip. The $31,800 T5 M is a hot rod with a high-boost turbocharger and 247 horsepower.



Base and T5 models come with a five-speed manual transmission or five-speed automatic, which is mandatory for the mid-range 2.4 T A.



The T5 is offered with a special $1,200 Geartronic automatic that can be used like a clutchless manual. But there's no substitute for a true manual in such a sporty car.



The T5 M (for manual) model generally shifts well, although its shifter is notchy when rushed. The long-throw clutch has a light action, but lacks the linear motion necessary for consistently easy use.



The T5's smooth engine has virtually no turbo lag; put your foot down and you're rewarded with neck-snapping acceleration (0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds.)



There's almost no front-drive torque steer to yank the steering wheel to the left or right; an all-wheel-drive model that puts power on the road even more effectively is expected.



Fuel economy is good even for the pavement-burning T5: an estimated 21 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway with the manual gearbox.



The power steering is quick and light. Handling of this hot model is in the sports-sedan class. But comfort--not razor-sharp handling--is the priority. The T5 has a traction






control system--optional for the other two models.



Emergency stopping distances are short, especially for the T5--although the brake pedal is mushy.



Anti-lock brakes are standard, as all S60 models are fairly well equipped.



The S60 uses the front-drive P2 platform of the S80 and V70 wagon. It has the C70 coupe's flowing roofline, but rear-seat headroom is good for 6-footers under that sloping roof. The interior is mostly roomier, although leg room is poor for a 6-footer behind a tall driver with his seat shoved all the way back.






The trunk is long and deep, with a low opening. Rear seatbacks can be flipped forward to considerably enlarge the cargo area.






Much of the no-nonsense interior--including the dashboard--is taken from the V70 wagon, which is Volvo's best seller.






The big controls work smoothly, but the ignition switch is on the steering column and not more conveniently located on the dash. Front seats are very supportive and outboard back seat positions are nicely formed.






But the front power windows are almost impossible to stop until they're completely lowered or raised after you activate the window switch; that causes your arm to get soaked in a rainstorm after tossing coins in a tollbooth.






This is a Volvo, so there's a long list of safety items including side air bags and side curtain air bags--besides front seats with whiplash protection.






The S60 provides the solid feel and safety expected from Volvo, but it's a lot more exciting than previous Volvo mid-range sedans.