2011 Volvo S60 T5 R-Design 2.0 petrol
Summary:
Volvo never disappoints. Excellent
Faults:
The automatic transmission may fail before 100,000 km if the proper oil change is not performed.
Spark plug issues causing power loss during acceleration.
Oil leaks.
Frequent mass airflow (MAF) sensor failure; dashboard alerts with no apparent serious cause.
Occasional loss of coolant.
General Comments:
The Volvo S60 features a distinctively sporty aesthetic, with a sleek front end and an arched roofline that slopes continuously down to meet the rear window. This gives it the look of a four-door coupé, yet its clever design ensures ample rear headroom, a rarity in this vehicle segment.
The interior is beautiful and luxurious, like any Volvo, on par with any BMW or Mercedes, featuring high-quality materials throughout the vehicle. Front seats are spacious and comfortable, offering good support.
Ample legroom is another feature of the S60, and four adults can travel comfortably without issue. There is a seat for a fifth person in the back, but, as is often the case these days, the middle rear seat is probably best left to children (at least, that’s what I do).
Interior storage space is good, with door and center console compartments offering adequate volume. The front compartments are complemented by extra space behind the lower section of the center stack, a long-standing feature of Volvo interior design that my previous S40 also had.
Offers a good driving position, and forward and side visibility is barely obstructed, as the windshield pillars are not as thick as those found on many other modern cars.
It delivers a smooth and refined ride under most conditions, with minimal increase in road noise.
It is stable and well-balanced, featuring quick and precise steering. While not strictly a sports sedan, it comes closer than one might expect, considering it uses front-wheel drive.
I was delighted by the 2.0 engine's smoothness, acceleration, and throttle response.
It is reliable (as almost all Volvos are) and offers quite reasonable fuel economy; even though consumption rises a bit in the city, it still uses less than 10 liters per 100 kilometers. These are excellent figures for an engine that delivers sporty performance and the safety benefits of spirited acceleration.
While buying it new saved me from the typical issues associated with a used car, it is clearly a very durable and reliable vehicle, built to last for many years, and that is exactly how I intend to keep it.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 31st July, 2026