EDMUNDS.COM 2004 VOLVO S60
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 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
An elegant luxury sedan or a sleek sport sedan? The S60 can fill both of these roles, though not with the grace of some German rivals.
Pros
Superb comfort, wide variety of safety and luxury features, balanced ride and handling characteristics, available all-wheel drive.
Cons
Handling lacks true sport sedan precision, expensive optional equipment, turbo lag and torque steer in the T5 model.
What''s New for 2004
Last year''s 2.4T model is now the 2.5T, with the same 208-horsepower engine as the AWD model. Bi-xenon headlights are a new option, while the sport package for the 2.5T includes speed-sensitive power steering.
Overview
Introduction:
Remember the days when Volvos were universally thought of as boxy, boring, sensible cars? OK, some of you may still think that, but in the past five years or so, the Swedish company has undergone a renaissance in terms of softer design and improved driving dynamics, in order to appeal to a greater audience than your typical suburban parent. It started with the introduction of the sleek C70 in 1998 and the curvaceous S80 in 1999, and then continued with the debut of the midsize S60 for the 2001 model year. Without sacrificing any of the usual Volvo trademarks such as safety and upscale features, Volvo has positioned the S60 as a sporty car, a car that would appeal to someone who likes to drive. To achieve its sporty ambitions, the S60 was given smaller dimensions than the S80 and fitted with up to 247 horsepower. Suspension tuning in the S60 is tighter than you might expect, but it''s still not firm to the level of most German sport sedans. With ample power and "vise-grip" brakes, the S60 can hustle through canyons at a brisk pace, just don''t expect to keep up with BMWs. In terms of equipment and safety, there are few entry-level luxury cars that can match the S60''s package. It''s larger in interior dimensions than most of the compact entry-level luxury sedans it competes with, and it''s equipped with incredibly comfortable seats and, of course, there''s all the latest safety equipment on board as well. Volvo''s somewhat enigmatic climate control system makes for unnecessary fiddling now and then, but for the most part, the S60''s interior uses high-quality components and a functional design. But would you want to buy one? That probably depends on what you are looking for. If you have owned Volvo sedans in the past and want one that''s sportier, the S60 would be an excellent match for you. But if driving excitement is a top priority, an Acura TSX, Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G35, Lexus IS 300 or even Volvo''s own in-house performance model, the S60 R, would probably be a better choice. One other thing to keep in mind: Most S60s don''t come with a great deal of luxury content, and a couple thousand dollars'' worth of options are usually necessary to create an upscale ambience -- at which point Japanese competitors like the Acura TSX and TL and Lexus ES 330 might begin to seem like a better value.
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For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
Four trim levels are available: Base 2.4, midlevel 2.5T, winter-friendly 2.5T AWD and upscale T5. The four vary on the basis of standard equipment and kind of engine. The 2.4 is equipped with 15-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, a CD player, power-fold rear headrests, one-touch front windows and tilt/ telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel. The 2.5T and 2.5T AWD get 16-inch wheels, a power driver seat with memory, automatic climate control and faux wood interior accents. The T5 comes with aluminum mesh inlays, a power passenger seat and a trip computer. Options include an excellent 13-speaker Dolby sound system with a four-disc CD changer, DVD-based navigation system, 17-inch wheels, leather upholstery, heated seats, bi-xenon headlights and a sunroof.
Powertrains and Performance:
The S60 2.4 comes with a 2.4-liter five-cylinder engine that produces 168 horsepower (165 in California where it''s SULEV-certified). The 2.5T, as you might guess, is turbocharged, and it makes a healthy 208 horsepower. The 2.5T AWD has the same engine but power is routed through an electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system. The T5 is the most powerful S60 with its 247-horsepower, 2.3-liter turbocharged engine. Both the 2.4 and T5 can be equipped with either a five-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission, while the 2.5T and 2.5T AWD are available only with the automatic. Automanual functionality is available on all models except the 2.4.
Safety:
Safety features include side airbags for front occupants, side curtain airbags for front and rear passengers, anti-submarine seats and whiplash-reducing head restraints. Stability control is standard on the T5 and optional for all other models. In government crash testing, the S60 scored four out of five stars for the driver and front passenger in the frontal impact category. Side-impact scores were five stars for both front- and rear-seat occupants. In 40-mph offset crash testing, the S60 received a "Good" rating overall (the best possible).
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For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
Much like the V70, the S60''s interior is functional but doesn''t feel upscale unless you add options like leather upholstery. The controls are nicely weighted, although the pictograms depicting the various functions can be difficult to understand. There is seating for five, but rear passengers may find legroom tight. The front seats always receive the highest accolades, with a blend of cushioning and support and a myriad of controls that allow variously sized bodies to fit comfortably.
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For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
The base S60 2.4 offers adequate power, though most people are apt to prefer the more powerful 2.5T models. The T5 should be your choice if you like performance but don''t mind some turbo lag. All S60s provide a smooth, serene ride that leans more toward comfort than sport. The Volvo holds the road well for the most part, but when pushed hard it can''t maintain the composure of sportier rivals. Bumps and ruts tend to upset the chassis more so than in other entry-luxury sedans. The steering is relatively quick but lacks road feel while the brakes provide strong stopping power.
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For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
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