Swedish Automaker Volvo never was a large volume player here in the United States or worldwide, but has established a loyal following for eighty plus years with its penchant for safety innovations and advances. Ford Motor Company thought so highly of the business model, that from 1999 through 2009, Gothenburg-Sweden-based Volvo was part of the Blue Oval's Premier Auto Group. After Ford disbanded and auctioned off its Premier Auto Group piecemeal (including Jaguar Land Rover and Austin Martin) Volvo became part of Geely Automotive, one of China's fastest-growing automakers. From Latin, Volvo translates to "I Roll.'
Volvo's 2013 model line includes an array of sedans, coupes and crossovers. Sedans are noted with an "S" prefix (the mid-size S60 and flagship S80 sedans) while crossovers sport XC branding (XC60, XC70 and XC90). Two coupes are also available with "C" denotations (C30, C70). Among the list, our tester of the week, the S60 sedan remains the most popular Volvo in the U.S with sales in calendar year 2012 of 23,365 units, a 9.7 percent increase from 2011. Volvo's total 2012 U.S. sales reached 68,117 units, a 1.3 percent jump from the previous year.
The S60 is the mid-luxury choice competing with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class from Europe, Lexus GS from Japan and Cadillac CTS domestically. The mid-size S60 sport sedan comes with two turbocharged engine selections (a five cylinder or six cylinder) and three model choices (T5, T6 with standard all-wheel drive and top-shelf T6 AWD R-Design). Turbo charging takes advantage of highly compressed air feed into engine cylinders for a more potent air/fuel combustion delivering increased power. Other than some option group modifications, little changes from the 2012 model year.
The 2.5-liter five cylinder (available only in S60 T5s) turbo delivers 250 horsepower while the 3.0-liter six cylinder turbo cranks out 300 horses in T6 editions; advanced engine tuning in T6 R-Design models bump horsepower up to 325. Both engines are matted to a standard six-speed automatic transmission with illuminated mode lighting (new for 2013) on the gearshift knob. No gas-electric hybrid powertrains are currently available in Volvo's lineup.
The S60 sedan includes a myriad of trims, option packages and a-la-carte choices so the purchasing process requires some advance study.
'Premier' trim includes glass moon roof, leather seating and power passenger seat. 'Premier Plus' includes all Premier nuances plus Xenon headlight, compass directional in rearview mirror and rear park assist. Choose 'Platinum' and add in-dash navigation and upgraded sound system. All three trims are available in the five-cylinder T5. The T6 model offers Premier Plus and Platinum while R-Design offers only Platinum.
Option packages include a Climate Package (heated front seats, heated windshield washer) and Technology Package with adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning. Stand-alone options include a dual rear entertainment system, assortment of alloy wheel selection, side blind spot detectors and new for 2013 rear heated seats.
For 2013, all trims add as standard equipment rain-sensing wipers and headlight washers. Also, Volvo's instant traction all-wheel drive is now available as a $2,000 option in entry T5 trims.
Our tester, a T6 all-wheel-drive R-Design included a $43,900 starting price. Extras included Platinum trim (in-dash navigation system with rear camera assist feed, $2,700), climate package ($700) along with an $895 destination charge for a $48,195 bottom line. The lowest price S60 T5 front-wheel drive edition sans a Premium, Premium Plus or Platinum package checks in at $31,900.
Front buckets envelope occupants with a deep recess and side bolsters keeping folks planted during spirited turns. Seats and side doors include white trim stitching. A lower-profile roof contributes to average-at-best headroom, necessitating some head bending when entering. The driver's door is home to power window, lock and mirror controls. The electronic parking brake is found in the left-side, under- dash region.
The bright, blue-hued instrument panel includes two circular gauges; a left-side speedometer with bar-type fuel gauge ensconced in the center and right-side tachometer. The black dash and doors are accented with brushed-aluminum trim and facing. The three-spoke steering wheel manually tilts and telescopes; most luxury rivals include a power operating mode. It's also home to cruise control functions and secondary radio presets. The glove box offers decent and deep storage capacity. Push button start is activated from an oval button right of the steering column. Both the fuel tank door and trunk release buttons conveniently reside on the upper dash adjacent to the far-left headlight dial.
Vertically down the center and skewed towards the driver resides the ventilation and communication interface. This design flows seamlessly downward flowing effortlessly into the transmission shifter. This handsome frame work is also found in Volvo's XC60 crossover.
A deeply imbedded display window at top center is home to the backup camera feed and navigation screen (Platinum Trim). This clear, four-color multi-purpose window also lists and rotates through AM/FM and Sirius satellite radio stations. Two dials help to scroll through selections and select desired stations or navigation perspectives. A numbered-pad below borrows the look of a push-button cell phone with rows and columns of numbers doubling as pre-set audio buttons. Framing the pad are clearly marked buttons for navigation, radio and optional heated seats.
Below is the ventilation region where Volvo artistically blends function and form. A tri-sectioned, push-pad selector resembles a human profile of sorts. Choose a section for the desired fan direction. A circular button represents the head/defroster region, and body-type triangular shapes indicating a chest and lower torso floor region. Between the front buckets are dual cup holders with sliding panel cover. Rearward is the arm rest/storage bin, home to a USB port.
Rather than sharp creases and angles, S60's exterior is smooth and flowing. The familiar Volvo logo with circular frame and arrow-head extension at about 2 o'clock depicts the ancient symbol for the element iron and is also associated with the astrological designation of the planet Mars (along with the gender-specific 'Male' symbol). Narrow side windows get off-set by longer lower door panels. The large, square rear window connects with the short, angled deck lid with almost a hatchback-like silhouette; but S60 is a sedan with an average-sized 12.0 cubic-inch trunk. Interior goose-neck-type hinges are padded and housed as not to crunch packages. Narrow 'C" pillars add to the sleek design as do strap-like, body-colored side door handles. Peek under the flat trunk floor board and no spare tire is evident, but a tire repair kit is available. Our R-Design tester featured chrome-like coating on rear view mirrors.
The S60 glides along effortlessly, but wind noise is somewhat apparent at highway speeds. All R-Design models include sharper steering for a more precise experience and nimble responses. With minimal blind spots, drivers have good perception in all directions. Fuel mileage is average at best at 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway in the all-wheel-drive six cylinder. The fuel leader of the group is the front drive five-cylinder T5 at 21 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.
Volvo recently introduced its Safe and Secure Coverage Plan of complimentary scheduled maintenance for 2013 models at 10,000, 20,000, 30,000 40,000 and 50,000 mile intervals for the first five years. In addition brake rotors, pads and wiper inserts are replaced as needed free of charge through Volvo dealers.
2013 Volvo S60Price as tested: $48,195
Wheelbase: 109.3 inches
Length: 182.2 inches
Width: 73.4 inches
Height: 58.4 inches
Engine: 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbo
Horsepower: 325
Curb weight: 3,835 pounds
City/Highway economy: 18 mpg city/ 25 mpg highway
Assembly: Ghent, Belgium