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2008 Volvo S60 Safety Review

July 22, 2008

SAFETY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

extensive safety features and excellent crash-test marks
Kelley Blue Book

Four of five stars, driver and passenger frontal impact
NHTSA

Good” overall rating
IIHS

plenty of legendary Volvo safety
Popular Mechanics

Safety is one area where the 2008 Volvo S60 does not fall behind the competition, though it is not as feature-rich as Volvo’s new platforms such as the S80 and related V70.

In the NHTSA’s frontal impact crash testing, the S60 earned four out of five stars for both driver and front passenger. For side impact crash protection, it earned five out of five stars for both front and rear. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing yielded the top “good” rating for the S60 overall and an “acceptable” rating for side-impact testing.

The Auto Channel lauds the S60’s “full complement of standard safety equipment,” which includes three-point belts with pyrotechnic pretensioners, whiplash-protection seats, front seat side impact airbags, front-to-rear side curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes, stability control, and Volvo’s OnCall telematics.

Edmunds mentions “rear parking assist is optional.” And Popular Mechanics remarks on Volvo’s “safety cage design,” featuring the front and rear crumple zones Volvo helped introduce to the auto industry decades ago, as well as side-impact door guard beams that are now taken nearly for granted in automotive design.

Conclusion

If safety tops your list, the otherwise aging 2008 Volvo S60 deserves a closer look.

SAFETY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:extensive safety features and excellent crash-test marksKelley Blue BookFour of five stars, driver and passenger frontal impactNHTSAGood” overall ratingIIHSplenty of legendary Volvo safetyPopular Mechanics Safety is one area where the 2008 Volvo S60 does not fall behind the competition, though it is not as feature-rich as Volvo’s new platforms such as the S80 and related V70. In the NHTSA’s frontal impact crash testing, the S60 earned four out of five stars for both driver and front passenger. For side impact crash protection, it earned five out of five stars for both front and rear. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing yielded the top “good” rating for the S60 overall and an “acceptable” rating for side-impact testing. The Auto Channel lauds the S60’s “full complement of standard safety equipment,” which includes three-point belts with pyrotechnic pretensioners, whiplash-protection seats, front seat side impact airbags, front-to-rear side curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes, stability control, and Volvo’s OnCall telematics. Edmunds mentions “rear parking assist is optional.” And Popular Mechanics remarks on Volvo’s “safety cage design,” featuring the front and rear crumple zones Volvo helped introduce to the auto industry decades ago, as well as side-impact door guard beams that are now taken nearly for granted in automotive design. ConclusionIf safety tops your list, the otherwise aging 2008 Volvo S60 deserves a closer look.  2008 VOLVO S60 STYLING | [6 out of 10] Car and Driver: “An entirely unique style” Kelley Blue Book: “from boring box to stylish Swede” Edmunds: “still sports a distinctive Scandinavian flavor” Popular Mechanics: “Remember the 240? Now forget it.” Like Demi Moore—or Bruce Willis--the ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The Saab 9-5—from Volvo’s rival Swedish brand—is perhaps the closest competitor to the S60. The 2008 Volvo S60 boasts better interior appointments and a better ride, though the (more expensive) 9-5 is more of a driver’s car—and it has a roomier backseat. The Audi A6 is offered with either front-wheel drive or quattro all-wheel drive, has a roomy interior that feels more upscale, and exhibits a nice ride, but it’s also significantly more expensive than the others. Another alternative is the Acura TL, a sporty (especially in Type-S form) and luxurious sedan that has a much roomier interior, though it’s only offered with front-wheel drive.

Next Steps:

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See the Volvo S60 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001

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