Topic: Test Drive: 2011 Volvo S60

[Autos_Editor]

Volvo calls the all-new 2011 S60 sedan "naughty," but it really belongs on the "nice" list, says Assistant Editor Jil McIntosh. "This is a lovely car, if a little too overbearing when it comes to protecting me from myself."

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[John MacDonald]

I think this is a huge step forward for Volvo compared to previous model S60.  I'm sure that their are better options out there for a sports sedan but I think this is at least worthy of a test drive where as the old one wasn't even a consideration.  The starting price is pretty good considering all the goodies you get and it's standard with a great engine and AWD.  Try and get that in a BMW, Audi, Merc, and you'd be paying a bit more for those.  That being said you can get the Infiniti G37X for about the same price and that car is definitely more sporty.  Personally I think this new Volvo is better looking than the G37 but that's me, others would disagree.

[D70]

Geely have bought into a good car company. Within a few years they will be selling their cars in Volvo showrooms in Canada and the USA

http://www.flickr.com/photos/d70w7/4193924045/

[TagueVagn]

I love Volvo designs... but this one is not hitting the mark with me (from the front end that is).  It's a bit of a mashup of the previous honda accord and the chevy impala with some extra lights.  At least the rest of the car looks good.

[John MacDonald]

I love Volvo designs... but this one is not hitting the mark with me (from the front end that is).  It's a bit of a mashup of the previous honda accord and the chevy impala with some extra lights.  At least the rest of the car looks good.

This is a complete change of pace for Volvo so those that loved the old boxy designs will therefore find the new design very different.  As for the comments on accord/impala comparison you have to remember that there are very few "new" designs nowadays.  Everyone is taking hints of different designs and making their own.  Is this a bad thing, I don't think so, because a lot of those "brand new" designs (Nissan Juke, Acura ZDX, Aztec, etc) have very polorizing looks and therefore are tougher sells.  By using existing designs that already appeal to the public and mixing them to your design taste you get a car that is appealing to the general public, that is still rather distinctive, and have less risk of public not liking the looks of the vehicle.

[Bullet Blue]

FYI this engine also won one of the engines of the year for 2011 by Ward's:

"Volvo Car Corp. lands its first Ward’s 10 Best Engines honor, for the 3.0L turbocharged I-6 in the S60 sedan. Volvo clearly benchmarked BMW in developing the supremely smooth “T6” engine, based on its delicious mid-range power band and paucity of turbo lag."

http://wardsauto.com/ar/names_best_engines_101207/

My feeling on the safety nannies is if you don't like them, don't option out the car that way. There's a 2011 S60 T6 for sale at the local Infiniti dealership. I inquired about it and they told me a woman traded it in after owning it for just 3 WEEKS because she couldn't stand the adaptive cruise control. Why did she get it then, especially when its optional?  I guess some people like to waste their money as she likely took a hit on the trade.

[ktm525]

Too pointy for a Volvo.

Other than that lets see:

1) Pebbly ride. Check
2) Numb steering. Check

Naughty? Like in wearing one rubber rather than two?

My version of naughty is more along the lines of a Mustang GT with no traction control on...

[dragonflyjack]

 Hehehehe....dragonfly

[safristi]

..Man that KOLOR is nasty...........and the crappy looking wood effect around the centre stack is cheaper than a Goodwill T shirt...............for $55K  No thanky.

[Spec5]

So could someone explain to me why this engine wins an award? Its certainly not for power - 300hp out of a turbo inline six seems weak to me in this day and age when Hyundai is getting 274 out of a 4 pot and Ford is getting 380 out of its 6. Granted real world fuel mileage seemed to be pretty good for a vehicle this size.

If that center console is in fact wood it should be burned - I've never seen such hidious wood in my life - and my parents owned an '83 Park Avenue Electra with real plastic wood! If I wanted laminate flooring I'd have put it in my house.

[John MacDonald]

So could someone explain to me why this engine wins an award? Its certainly not for power - 300hp out of a turbo inline six seems weak to me in this day and age when Hyundai is getting 274 out of a 4 pot and Ford is getting 380 out of its 6. Granted real world fuel mileage seemed to be pretty good for a vehicle this size.

If that center console is in fact wood it should be burned - I've never seen such hidious wood in my life - and my parents owned an '83 Park Avenue Electra with real plastic wood! If I wanted laminate flooring I'd have put it in my house.

I can't explain why the engine won for sure but I know that the amount of power made from it is not the only indicator of a quality engine.  The VW 2.0 turbo engine that makes around 200 HP has won the award a number of times and the Mitsu 2.0L turbo engine that's in all the Evo's hasn't won it once and it makes a lot more power.  It's about how well the engine performs.  I've test drove a number of vehicles and one of my favorite engines is that VW 2.0 turbo because of how well it uses it's power and the refinement it has.  I'm guessing that's the same reason why this engine won for Volvo. 

[ktm525]

So could someone explain to me why this engine wins an award? Its certainly not for power - 300hp out of a turbo inline six seems weak to me in this day and age when Hyundai is getting 274 out of a 4 pot and Ford is getting 380 out of its 6. Granted real world fuel mileage seemed to be pretty good for a vehicle this size.

If that center console is in fact wood it should be burned - I've never seen such hidious wood in my life - and my parents owned an '83 Park Avenue Electra with real plastic wood! If I wanted laminate flooring I'd have put it in my house.

To me the wood is passable but what is really horrific is the light beige on the inside of the steering wheel. Looks nasty with the orange leather.

[Roy]

I like what the S60 offers the market; it has most of the big check marks like a 3 in-front of the hp number, 4 doors, 4 driven wheels (well kind of), and mid-40's pricing.  But most of all it offers some uniqueness and style, although subjective, to a somewhat conservative segment. It's also nice how they packaged all of the e-nannies into one option so that you don't have to have any of it, nor pay for it, if you don't want them.

Not that the S60 is really my cup of tea though.  But swap the auto 6 for a manual 6 and change the boot to a wagon, hold the line on pricing and it'll shoot up to top 3 on my next car list.

[PlanB]

If I were in the market for a 4-door AWD sedan I'd look at (in order): Audi, BMW, Lexus, MB, Infinity and perhaps 15 other vehicles from other segments before I even began to consider this car. 

I don't care how many awards the engine has won - the total package sells the car IMO and for myself, this car falls short, very short. 

[mmret]

I don't care how many awards the engine has won - the total package sells the car IMO and for myself, this car falls short, very short. 

C&D review seemed to be quite pleased with the total package. Greater than the sum of its parts.

[JSCC]

Is the 250HP S60 T5 coming in AWD?

[Bullet Blue]

Is the 250HP S60 T5 coming in AWD?

2.4 trim and AWD has been discontinued for 2011. Volvo is planning on discontinuing the S40 all together in the near future so this is part of the phasing out stage.

[nsmyhte]

Not a fan of the front.  It looks way too front heavy, as if it just did a face-plant.

[mmret]

Is the 250HP S60 T5 coming in AWD?

2.4 trim and AWD has been discontinued for 2011. Volvo is planning on discontinuing the S40 all together in the near future so this is part of the phasing out stage.

S60..?

[Kirspin]

I note that in the latest issue of the Lemon-Aid Book by Phil Edmonston, he has down rated Volvo due to the China connection, he says that Ford neglected them and sold Volvo for 30 cents on the dollar to new owners from China who are not used to dealing with North American markets, he suggests not to buy any Volvo product until we see where the Company is heading!