We're ten minutes into our long-term test of the 2012 Volvo S60 T5 when a fact breaks like a wave over our staff. One by one most of us realize that it's been years since we've driven a Volvo sedan. The last S60 debuted way back in 2000 while the newest S80 arrived way back in 2006. That's probably why we think of wagons and SUVs these days when the name Volvo is mentioned.
This new S60 is more than just a sedan, it's a self-described sport sedan, hence the new "naughty" tag line. The turbocharged S60 is poised to take on the best and brightest in the class with a sport-tuned chassis, wide array of luxury and high-tech features and dramatic Swedish styling.
But in a category dominated by BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Cadillac and Infiniti, is there room for Volvo, too?
What We Got
Our 2012 Volvo S60 T5 came from the factory with a 250-horsepower, 2.5-liter turbocharged I5 and a six-speed automatic transmission with sport mode and adaptive shift. It's a combination that's good for 20 mpg city and 30 mpg highway on the EPA cycle.
Like any respectable European sport sedan, the S60 comes packed with a long list of standard features that include an 8-way power driver sport seat, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth, push button start, HD radio with USB and aux input and, thankfully, Volvo Sensus infotainment system with 7" high-resolution color LCD monitor.
Volvo Sensus is the replacement for the outdated system Volvo had been using. Sensus allows access to the stability control, city safety, driver alert, collision warning, lane departure, adaptive cruise, central locking, audio and navigation systems all in one place — assuming you've purchased the proper packages. Our Volvo has the packages.
The Multimedia package ($2,700) includes nav, premium sound, rear park assist camera and voice control. We've also got the Technology and Climate packages that offer adaptive cruise with queue assist (we'll figure out what this is during the year), collision warning, pedestrian detection, distance alert, lane departure warning, heated front seats, interior air quality system and all for an easy $2,900.
Next, is the Leather Seating package that adds a power passenger seat and a glass moonroof for $1,900 and the Dynamic package for $900 that adds 18-inch wheels and speed-sensitive steering with driver controls. There's also metallic paint ($550) and a personal car communicator ($550) plus an $875 destination fee.
And then there are the standard safety features — let's not forget that it is a Volvo — dynamic stability and traction control with sport mode, side curtain head protection airbags, side airbags, driver and front passenger dual-stage airbags, whiplash protection system, adaptive steering wheel column, LATCH, safe approach perimeter lighting system, intelligent driver information system, security system and child safety locks.
Out-the-door price for our loaded 2012 Volvo S60 T5 is $41,350. We didn't fork that over, however, as Volvo provided this car to us for a year.
Why We Got It
With the exception of a misguided wheel turn by a sincere idiot, our long-term test of the 2010 Volvo XC60 went off without a hitch. Well, if you exclude the awkward and impossible-to-use navigation system and paranoid safety equipment.
The mid-size SUV impressed us with its handling and ride quality, and generally wowed us with interior features and build quality — except for that NAV. In short, what's often seen as a vehicle for people who are concerned only with safety turned out to be a fairly terrific all-arounder that many of us preferred to its German and Japanese counterparts.
Sedans, however, swim in a deeper pool than luxury crossovers with long-standing frontrunners which have been tuned and tweaked over decades. The S60 T5 has the Infiniti G, Cadillac CTS, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW 3 Series to contend with this time around. Winning over the hearts and minds of entry-level luxury shoppers won't be easy.
And it won't be easy winning us over, either. We've got 12 months and 20,000 miles to see if the naughty label fits and if the Volvo S60 T5 belongs in the elite ranks of premium sport sedans, or if this outlier really is a safety car first and a European sedan second.
Follow along on our long-term road test blog for updates over the next year.
Current Odometer: 1,220
Best Fuel Economy: 21.9
Worst Fuel Economy: 20.3
Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 21.1
The manufacturer provided Edmunds this vehicle for the purposes of evaluation.
Add A Comment »
howiek says:
09:27 PM, 04/13/2012
I purchased a 2012 S60 T5 Flamenco Red with Sport Appearance pkg, Spoiler, Premium, Climate, Technology pkgs. Added Active Bending Lights (ABL) and BLIS. Took advantage of European Delivery program and selected Beige/Beechwood interior. Picked up in Gothenburg Oct18. Put 2450 miles on driving Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany over 10 days. (Autobahn! - way cool!) Picked up at local dealer 12/8.
Having so much fun put another 5000+ miles of pleasure driving over here in 5 months!
Just had it in for 7500 mi service. No problems. Gas mileage 25.5 combined. Got better after I calmed down on the "fun" stuff ;-)).
After driving with the ABL going back to the company vehicle is a bummer driving at night.
Keep getting comments from strangers "That's a Volvo?"
If you are not in a rush check out the overseas delivery! Can't wait to do it again!
All praise aside the lack of voice control for phone and console is a major oversight and disappointment. How hard can it be if it is included with the NAV pkg? (Perhaps it would have been included with the NAV Prep for an add'l $90+!)
Overall trip of a lifetime and a fantastic car to bring home!
Howie K
myob says:
04:05 PM, 06/30/2011
1. Recalls are not the same as Reliability. Most recall issues never happen to anyone. They recall them because of the consequences if they did. No injuries reported, and apparently it affects a whopping 478 vehicles. Get some perspective, chicken little.
2. Recent Data has Volvo as the top rated European brand for reliability. (not that that's saying much).
3. I own a newer Volvo that has had zero issues the first year. Therefore by some of the logic here they must all be perfect.
4. An instrument cluster issue and your car not starting or dying on the side of the road are not issues of equal importance.
5. Real world equipment and pricing, they're a lot cheaper than the competition. In an era when a "loaded" Ford Focus reaches almost $30,000, $35K is a bargain in a car in this class.
6. I get 22.5 overall in a heavier XC60. Your S60 may have an issue if you're getting 14 something. It got 24.5mpg on a recent long high speed trip to Florida. That's about 10% better than the sticker says it would. Usually one expects the opposite.
The S60 won't be superior to most of the German competition. But for a little less you may get a more comfortable, less obnoxious, more reliable reasonable substitute. Owned 3 BMW's and am happier with the Volvo so far. Especially when someone goes through a parking lot keying the cars of "rich aholes" and they skip mine becaue they don't know how much it costs.
lions208487 says:
07:16 PM, 06/27/2011
The Volvo dealer in calabasas, ca has fully loaded T5 S60's for under 35K. Yes 18's and stereo upgrade included. IL simply just over estimated; however, with all of the bells and wistles plus 5 yrs free maintenance, this S60 is still less expensive then it's competition. By competion I mean an A4 2.0T, G37, and 328i. Try pricing out a 3 series or A4 and stay under 45K...
lookatmyshoes says:
09:40 AM, 06/26/2011
You can get a S60 T5 with premium package (leather, home link and moonroof) for less than 32K.
At that price you get a very good value for a better car, ride, engine, style better than IS250, 328, C300 etc...
I have to admit that the chassis of a BMW is more communicative has better feel on the road but also sacrifices comfort. A 328 with run flats is rough and noisy.
Usually people buying these cars are looking for a balanced car not a race car, reason why Audi is leading this segment- the S60 is a better A4
taxman10 says:
04:29 PM, 06/24/2011
One more thing...
Did you guys get the Xenon headlights?
These are not packaged - individual option.
I did and glad of it .
We discovered you can't put fog lights on this model - some pump or other thing blocking the area where fogs would go.
Not very smart design there.
Also had the fuel pump recall handled this week.
First visit to dealer - no issues whatsowever.
Otherwise still love it.
taxman10 says:
08:29 AM, 06/24/2011
I have this car now since May 1 without the Tech and Multimedia - otherwise same.
Great car so far..very interested in Edmund's Long Term test opinions.
My other car is an '08 Audi A4 Avant Q M6.
Using Audi as a benchmark ( including the current gen A4) , the S60 compares favorably.
I'll be following the blog updates too.
mn2bound says:
06:49 AM, 06/24/2011
I must chime in. I was the poster guy for Volvo. But after 3 of them I can no longer say I believe in the brand. Of course neither do alot of people which is why they went from selling 130,000 cars to 58,000. All my volvo's were new and driven apprx 8k miles a year and dealer maintained. I had mechanical problems with them all. My 5 1/2 year old volvo wagon with 23,000 miles on the OD broke down 3 times in 6 weeks, $3,500 dollars later it was the last straw. I think everyone hears volvo and thinks...you can drive it 200,000 miles or more. But that was volvo's of the past. In the 90's and through today....they are highly unreliable and super expensive to fix. My other 2 volvo's, mechical problems as well. New and low miles...i don't get it. Sad part is...i love volvo interiors more than almost any other car. But i refuse to return. Test driving the new S60 edmunds? be careful, they were just recalled for engine fires...........go figure...........good luck.
bassrockerx says:
02:39 PM, 06/22/2011
i think the volvo has a great base package 250hp base engine awd available (most people contrary to what us auto enthusiests believe DONT want AWD) and lots of base fetures and tech. most buyers probably wont option the volvo like this BUT people should not whine about the price of this volvo is trying to compete with BMW and the average 3 series car is at least 44k this was reported by bmw of america late 2010.
wikiwiki says:
01:05 PM, 06/22/2011
Dominated by Cadillac? Really? LOL. I can't remember the last time I saw one new on the road.
Either way, this looks really nice but Infiniti would still have my money if I could buy a luxury sedan. Followed by Acura.
I still can't believe Volvo is stopping sales of its wagons in N. America. I think it should revamp those and push them hard since they beat the hell out of any SUV/CUV out there. Very odd. When I think Volvo, I think V70 wagons.
merlot8 says:
06:16 AM, 06/22/2011
marvilyn says:I purchased this car and like it very much - but I'm very interested in what kind of mileage you're getting in strictly city driving, which is what I do - because I'm getting only about 14.6 mpg! A service person at my dealership said that's what everyone is getting and about all I should expect - but I'm hoping when I have more miles on it I'll do better (at present I have under 1000).
So please report strictly city mileage once in a while.
I'm getting 27 mpg with mixed driving (and I'm not always easy with the throttle). I realize you are stating city mileage, but that's pretty bad!