2012 Volvo S60 T3 R-Design 1.6 petrol

Summary:

Stunning car

Faults:

Not much beyond servicing, but I have only had the car a year and a half. Long term reliability remains to be seen, but so far so good.

General Comments:

For a 2012 vehicle this S60 feels like new, very modern and advanced. Great looking in red with Volvo 5 spoke wheels. R-Design is the spec to have.

Not a fan of the electric parking brake or the cluttered small buttoned dash, but once you get used to it this car's interior is comfortable and gorgeous. Seats are unbelievably good for long journeys. The car is quiet and refined.

1.6 petrol is fast and still manages around 45 mpg, a much simpler engine than the diesels.

Great to look at and drive, loving this S60 so far!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th July, 2023

4th Sep 2023, 16:11

Best I have had out my 1.6 S60 is 41 mpg, you must drive very carefully to get 45 mpg. I still much prefer this engine to the diesels though.

2012 Volvo S60 DRIVe R-Design 1.6 diesel

Summary:

Can be expensive - but worth it

Faults:

Airbag light came on - dealer wanted £900 for repair and reset, found local specialist that did it for £600, much better.

ABS light flickered last winter but has not come on since.

Worn driveshaft and wheel bearing - replaced for MOT.

Interior wearing very well, seats only starting to look sat in, excellent for the age and mileage. Exterior is basically unmarked. Stunning condition for its age, and I don't even wash it as much as I should! But I do keep the car serviced on time.

General Comments:

My dark blue Volvo S60 is one of the most comfortable cars I have ever had, even better than my previous 3-series BMW. Seats are the best you can get. Ergonomically the car is (in my opinion) perfect. Dash is laid out very well. If I am being really, really picky - I would prefer a traditional handbrake. I do not like a button as a lot of modern cars have now, just feels weird and took me ages to get used to it. Maybe with an automatic it might be OK, but with manual you sometimes feel your hands and feet need to be in 3 places at once!

Anyways, minor pints aside, this is a great car to drive. It does not handle anywhere near as good as my BMW 3-series, so BMW fans have that right, but the car is otherwise excellent to drive, and is more of a luxury cruiser than a driver's car anyways. Fantastic looking car also, inside and out.

1.6 "DRIVe" diesel is good enough for everyday driving, fast enough and you will get well over 60 mpg and cheap to tax. All DRIVe means is you get a very economical engine, that is all, it is a proper diesel combustion engine, no silly hybrid here, and not needed in my opinion as the car is so economical. I tried driving faster than normal one week on a full tank and it still returned an average 59 mpg! But quite regularly see 64 mpg + cruising. I gave lower scores for running costs because some repairs are expensive, and insurance should be cheaper in my opinion.

R-Design is a high spec, the car has everything electric that you would expect.

In conclusion, despite the fact the car is 10 years old and I have passed the 100K mark, I want to keep this car a few years longer, it is that good. Keep these serviced and general reliability is fine. Expect some expensive repairs as the miles rise however, no getting around the repairs of modern technology. But if the car is that good and returns with comfort and reliability, it is worth it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th October, 2022