We’re no strangers to the Volvo S60. While living in Europe, our lease car was a beautiful 2000 S60, which we lovingly called our “little black limo”, as it was comfortable, reliable and fun to drive! Volvo continually upgrades the S60 series with the best in safety features, infotainment and environmental standards.
This four-door, mid-size sedan is built on a modular product platform – Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) – that translates to their entire 60 and 90 lineup.
We recently took a 2021 S60 T5 AWD on a little Vancouver Island adventure to explore the natural beauty of Ucluelet and Tofino, BC.
Volvo’s classic Scandinavian styling is met with an intuitive touch screen interface that combines car functions, navigation, connected services and in-car entertainment applications such as Spotify, Pandora, Baidu and TuneIn.
The portrait-oriented touch screen is easy to navigate; both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is available.
Interior Design
Gorgeous metallic accents are well matched with the Bowers & Wilkins speaker system design. Continuous lines create a sleek dashboard, while the infotainment screen is easy to navigate for both driver and front passenger.
The Heads-up display allows you to see current speed and speed limit through the front window in front of the hood so you’re not constantly needing to look down at the console.
The middle console contains a wireless charging mat (though we weren’t able to get it to work with either an iPhone 6 or 12), a metallic sliding screen to hide any small essentials from view as well as storage area for snacks, etc. where you’ll find two USB outlets.
The power operated seat cushion extension provides comfortable thigh support – very convenient if you have long legs. Smoothly adjusted to your preferences using an intuitive power control, they’re extra wide to provide generous support independent of your leg positioning. And in cold weather, they’re electrically heated combined with heated seats.
Powertrain Tech
The S60 is powered by Volvo’s Drive-E petrol powertrains and is the first Volvo car to be sold without a diesel, signalling the company’s commitment to electrification and a long-term future beyond the traditional combustion engine.
The S60 is also available with a range of 48-volt mild hybrid variants, as well as two plug-in hybrid options: a T6 Twin Engine AWD that generates a combined 340hp and the T8 Twin Engine AWD that delivers as much as 407hp.
Volvo’s Twin Engine plug-in hybrid delivers all the benefits of a high performance, low emission petrol engine with an electric motor that delivers power on demand with ultra-low CO2 emissions plus over 40 km of pure electric range.
The engine is very responsive, making for a zippy, road-hugging, pleasurable driving experience on both desolate island roads and city streets alike.
Key Specs
– 2.0L, Direct-Injected Supercharged and Turbocharged Engine
– 250 hp at 5500 rpm
– 8-speed Geartronic Automatic Transmission
– Fuel Efficiency: 10.8 City / 7.2 Highway / 9.2 Combined
MSRP: $52,350.00
S60 T5 AWD R-Design includes:
– CleanZone
– Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert
– 12.3” Driver Display
– Keyless Entry with Handsfree Tailgate Opening
– Retractable Rear-View Mirrors
– LED Headlights Bending
– Lane Keeping Aid
– Drive Mode Settings
– Park Assist Rear, Park Assist Camera
– Collision Mitigation Support, Front & Rear
– High Performance Sound
– Sirius Satellite Radio w/3 month trial
– 4-Zone Electronic Climate Control
– Nappa Leather Upholstery w/Sport Seats
– Navigation Pro
– Homelink™️
Additional Options
Climate Package ($1,000):
– Heated Windscreen Washers
– Heated Rear Seats
– Heated Steering Wheel
Advanced Package ($2,450):
– Head Up Display
– Pilot Assist – Semi Autonomous Drive System w/ Adaptive Cruise Control
– 360° Surround View Camera
– 12V Outlet in Luggage Area
– Wireless Smartphone Charger
Safety and Driver Assistance
Volvo’s SPA platform has resulted in the strongest Volvo cars to date, due to extensive use of boron steel and numerous safety systems designed to protect passengers and pedestrians.
Volvo’s City Safety technology (standard on all Volvo models) combines auto braking functionality and collision avoidance systems to cover a range of potential accident scenarios to help keep you safe.
City Safety is the only system on the market that detects pedestrians, cyclists and large animals such as moose and deer, perfectly suited to Canadian road adventures (hopefully avoiding that moose or deer!). An optional Pilot Assist driver assistance system works up to 130 km/h on clearly marked roads.
Sustainability
In 2019, Volvo launched one of the most ambitious climate plans in the auto industry: Reduce its lifecycle carbon footprint per car by 40% between 2018 and 2025, a first step towards becoming a climate-neutral company by 2040. These ambitions go beyond addressing tailpipe emissions through all-out electrification.
Our Volvo S60 was generously provided by Volvo Canada to discover its road-worthy features while Vancouver Island adventuring.
