Solid, practical, quiet and unassuming, the Volvo S60 brings to mind the qualities you might want in a good neighbor. Capable and comfortable, if not exciting, it is an upstanding citizen of compact European sport sedans. If you're looking for fun, spirited performance or styling pizzazz, however, shop elsewhere.
A freshening for 2015 brought subtle updates and a turbocharged four-cylinder engine reflective of the brand's future. With the introduction of this powerplant, Volvo began phasing out five- and six-cylinder engines.
As you'd expect from the brand, safety is a big part of the S60's package. It protects its passengers with a long list of advanced features, including the standard City Safety system, which can automatically brake the car to avoid or reduce the severity of a low-speed collision. Crash-test results are excellent as well.
The 240-hp, 2.0-liter engine and eight-speed automatic transmission brought a marked improvement in drivability, fuel economy and refinement over many of the earlier Volvos. Power is generous and smooth. The well-integrated turbo makes the car very responsive and provides effortless power throughout the broad power band. We also measured a good 25-mpg overall.
Inside, you'll a well finished and reasonably quiet interior, with a simple, clean design and very comfortable front seats. Handling is fairly nimble and definitely secure, although the car doesn't really live up to its sports-sedan expectations. The ride is so firm it borders on being stiff.
Oddly for a brand that has built a reputation for safety, a backup camera is standard only on upper trim levels; it's an expensive option on lower-trim versions. Rounding out our list of gripes is the coupe-like, form-over-function styling, which limits rear visibility and contributes to a cramped rear seat. And, while the infotainment system has the basics covered, it's not particularly easy to use.
All in all, the much-needed update helped the S60 stay competitive.