Likes
Quiet interior
Firm but smooth ride
Great front seats
DislikesDated design inside and out
Narrow trunk opening
Rear headroom is limited
Much higher price for '09
The Advanced Package adds several features to the S60 T5, including inscription leather seating, a premium sound system with Dolby ProLogic II Surround, a six-disc CD changer, brushed-aluminum door handles, rear park assist, and Dual Xenon Gas Discharge Headlights with Active Bending Light (ABL) among other items. Of course, 2009 retail prices for all three models reflect the increase in standard equipment.
The cabin in the 2009 Volvo S60 is especially well isolated from road and wind noise; it's a very pleasant place to be. The excellent front seats in the S60 are some of the best contoured and most supportive in their class, but in back, it's a different story; rear passengers will find it short in legroom and possibly headroom, due to the sloped roofline.
The 2009 Volvo S60 attains four-star ratings (out of five stars) for frontal impact and five stars for side impact, along with top "good" ratings for frontal and rear impact but "acceptable" ratings for side impact from the insurance-affiliated IIHS. The S60 includes a list of safety features comparable to that of its rivals, including stability control, anti-lock brakes, front side airbags, front-seat whiplash protection, and side-curtain bags.
Other Choices
If you like the 2009 Volvo S60, also consider:
- Saab 9-5
- Nissan Maxima
- Audi A6
- Acura TL
Reason Why:The 2009 S60 lands at the entry end of the mid-size sport-sedan spectrum, where a few thousand in sticker price or a slight difference in payments might make the difference. That said, it's hard to justify the S60's boost in price for '09 when it now lines up with the sporty, redesigned Acura TL, which has a much roomier interior, plus plenty of technology and safety features. The Saab 9-5--from Volvo's rival Swedish brand--is perhaps the closest competitor to the S60, but the Saab is even more outdated, with a design that reaches back a full decade. The 2009 Volvo S60 boasts better interior appointments and a better ride than the 9-5, though the (more expensive) 9-5 is more of a driver's car--and it has a roomier backseat. The Audi A6 is another alternative; it offers either front-wheel drive or quattro all-wheel drive and has a roomy interior that feels more upscale and exhibits a nice ride, but it's also significantly more expensive than the others. Those who want refinement and a stylish appearance, inside especially, should consider the Nissan Maxima. The Maxima isn't at all the sport sedan it once was, but it's comfortable--almost opulent--inside and has some of the features of pricier lux sedans.
Buying TipThe next-generation S60 is expected to roll out next year as a 2010 model. So if you appreciate Volvo's safety emphasis but are disappointed with the S60's lack of excellent technology, just hang on a few more months.
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Review was originally published at TheCarConnection.com
© 2009 TheCarConnection.com