2004 Volvo S60 AWD review from North America

Condensation on front left headlight replaced under warranty.

When car sits overnight, the battery dies (taking to dealer tomorrow)

That's about it.

This car is not mine, its my uncle's employee car, but I had a chance to keep it for one day in order to take it to the dealer regarding the charging problem.

This is my comparison:

My uncle owns a 2003 Audi a4 1.8T manual, both cars are amazingly well built but in my opinion the Volvo has a much better interior except dash lights (looks pretty boring), Volvo feels like a huge car on the road and its handling is blown away comparing to the Audi. One of my major complaints on the Audi is that when you're driving down the highway the engine revs very high (3000 RPM @60MPH) unlike the effortless 2300RPM @ 60MPH for the Volvo. I know that the Volvo has a 2.5T and the Audi 1.8T but for that kind of money the interior lacks insulation (Audi). Both cars are extremely slow off line even though the Audi is a manual. The turbos are in no way in the same class, on the Audi you can feel the Turbo kicking right above the 3000RPM mark but no matter how much you floor the Volvo I can never feel the turbo which is in my opinion better.

In terms of reliability both SUCK, luckily my uncle bought the extended warranty and right after 70000 miles one of the cylinders went out, fixed free from the dealer. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU BUY THE EXTRA Warranty both cars will have no sign of major problems, one day you're in heaven next day your wallet is empty. Its the second time I have to take my friend's car to the dealer, I wouldn't call unreliable but there are too many annoying issues and its got only 35000 miles.

If you want a thrilling machine go for the Audi but if you're more conservative Volvo all the way.