Founded back in 1927, Volvo Cars was a different automotive manufacturer from the very beginning. No one else had tried it before, but Volvo was built upon one key pillar that remains a very important aspect when shopping for a car today: safety. Volvo is the pioneer of many modern automotive safety systems, including the side-impact protection system, inflatable curtain, and most famously, the three-point seatbelt.

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Back in the 1980s and 1990s, Volvo was a pretty normal automaker. They were most famous for their boxy station wagons that were completely indestructible, and also had diesel engines that could literally run on vegetable oil—seriously. After Ford acquired Volvo in 1999, they decided that the Swedish automaker needs a rethinking of their model strategy and a slow shift towards the upmarket. The original S60 went into battle with the likes of the BMW 3 Series and the Audi A4. Today, Volvo is under the leadership of Chinese automaker Geely, and the S60 is currently in its third generation. There are several good reasons why you should consider one.

Overview Of The Volvo S60

Front 3/4 view of a red S60 on the move
Volvo

With the third generation being introduced in 2018, the Volvo S60 is a compact luxury sedan. It competes with the BMW 3 Series, the Audi A4, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and the Lexus IS. It was and still is a more left-field choice for those who want something more interesting and unique, or for those who simply don't like the German offerings.

One of the best parts about the S60 is the exterior styling. It's clean, gorgeous and simple. The front is dominated by the signature Thor's hammer LED headlights, as well as some pretty aggressive lower air vents. The side profile is simple, but in a good way, while the rear features the signature Volvo taillights. One interesting thing to note is that the third generation S60 is the first Volvo to be completely assembled in the United States. Three trim levels are available: Inscription, R-Design and Polestar Engineered.

S60 Powertrains & Drivetrains

Front 3/4 view of an S60 Polestar Engineered
via: Volvo

Volvo is very different from what it was 15 years ago, so don't expect any five-cylinder engine antics in the new S60. As of 2021, there's only one powertrain to go for: the Recharge T8. This one is rather complicated. The T8 teams a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine which is turbocharged and supercharged. That sounds complex enough already, but it's also a plug-in hybrid, with an 11.6 kWh battery pack and range of around 22 miles on electric power only. This powertrain is very punchy, putting out 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 time of 4.3 seconds. Top speed, meanwhile, like all Volvo models, is limited to 112 mph. The T8 is AWD only, and the power is sent to the wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission.

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The R-Design trim level adds a slightly more sporty exterior and interior styling, while the Polestar Engineered ups the ante significantly. The PE adds Polestar badging, gold brake calipers, Ohlins dampers, forged wheels and different chassis tuning. It also gets gold seatbelts, and a slight boost in power that results in 415 hp and two tenths chopped off from the 0-60 time, resulting in 4.1 seconds.

Comfort And Quality For The S60

The interior of the S60, trimmed in black
Volvo

On the inside, the S60 is exactly what you'd expect from a modern Volvo. The design is clean, simple, very well put together, and contains what is quite possibly the best infotainment system in the game right now. All 2021 and 2022 S60 models with the Recharge powertrain also replace the mechanical shift lever with a low-profile electronic one, as seen in the Polestar 1 and the XC40 Recharge. The gauge cluster is also fully digital.

The interior of the S60, front and rear seats
Volvo

The S60 is pretty loaded with equipment even in base form, but there are various options and packages available. These include a Harman Kardon premium sound system, Sensus Navigation, a 360-degree camera system, and so much more. Safety is a key part of the S60, as expected. The raft includes Volvo's excellent Pilot Assist with adaptive cruise control and a park assist system. This all helps the S60 earn its spot as a 2021 IIHS Top Safety Pick. The S60 seats five passengers, while the trunk offers 11.6 cubic-feet of space. That's not a huge amount, but the opening makes it easier to squeeze odd-shaped items into the trunk.

The S60's Pricing

The side profile of a silver S60
Volvo

The 2022 S60 starts at $48,695 for the R-Design trim level, $51,695 for the Inscription, and a rather steep $66,095 for the Polestar Engineered version. Like all other Volvo models, however, the S60 can also be obtained through Volvo's unique subscription program. The MSRP includes three years or 36,000 miles of scheduled maintenance, whichever comes first. The Volvo On Call app, which gives you 24/7 assistance, is a no-cost option, and so is integration through the Volvo Cars smartphone app, which gives you access to various vehicle controls.

While it may not prioritize driving dynamics or overly sharp styling, the S60 is a very comfortable, good-looking and very competent compact luxury sedan. If you're fed up with the German offerings and want something with a bit of Scandinavian flair and an emphasis on comfort and simplistic luxury, this should be on your shortlist.