Volvo might not always be your first thought for small luxury sedans, but the updated S60 makes a case for the Swedish brand. Now you can have a plug-in hybrid version.
When you pick the S60 Recharge, you get a sedan that runs 40 miles on electric power before the gas engine kicks in. I drove it for a week, and I didn’t use much fuel at all, as most of my trips were under 30 miles and I could recharge in between trips.
Another plus of the plug-in version is a big jump in power. With the gas and electric working together, this small sedan has 455hp, so you never have to worry about keeping up with the traffic. The AWD layout helps with grip in all-weather conditions and higher handling limits on back roads.
Inside the Volvo is an upscale affair with a mix of Nappa leather, leatherette and even cloth sports seats that are very supportive. The Ultimate trim level is the most luxurious version of this little Volvo with contrast stitching on the seats, a tailored dash and center console, and even a crystal gear shift knob. The optional Bowers and Wilkins premium sound system is one of the better-sounding systems I’ve heard in a compact luxury sedan. However, going through the menus on the tablet-sized screen can be frustrating at times. The voice controls and Google Maps and Assistant make up for some of the shortcomings of the large touch screen.
The Volvo S60 I drove was the Black Edition which gives the exterior a sportier appearance. A black grill and Ironmark front emblem give the sedan a more serious look. Special blacked-out badges and trim pieces play well and give it a pricey luxury car look when paired with Metallic paint. The larger 19-inch diamond cut alloy wheels, body curves and a sculpted body elevate this Volvo’s visual appeal.
Cost: $57,950; as tested 63,690
MPG: 74 MPGe; 31 mpg gas only, I managed 130.2 mpg in 330 miles of mixed driving.
Options: $750 climate package; $695 metallic paint; $3,200 Bowers and Wilkins premium sound; $1,095 destination charge.
Safety: Blind spot information with steer assist; cross-traffic alert with auto brake; collision avoidance by city safety; low & high-speed collision mitigation detects vehicles/pedestrian/cyclist/large animals; road sign information; run-off road protection & run-off road mitigation; lane departure warning/lane keeping aid; oncoming mitigation by braking; driver alert control; park assist pilot; pilot assist driver assistance system with adaptive cruise control; 360 surround view camera.
Things to know: The S60 Recharge AWD Ultimate makes a case for drivers looking for a fun-to-drive sedan that has big power and all-electric driving.
Pros:
- Very powerful and it’s a plug-in hybrid allowing up to 40 miles of all-electric motoring
- Comfortable seats ready for all-day drives
- Great sound from the optional sound system
Cons:
- Price is higher when compared to the gas only model
- Can take some time and frustration to learn the infotainment system
- Trunk space is less than some of the small luxury sedans it competes with
