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2009 Volvo S60 Review

May 8, 2009

STYLING | 6 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

businesslike dashboard groups audio and climate controls within a broad center panel
Cars.com

very much an example of Swedish Modern style
The Auto Channel

Remember the 240? Now forget it.
Popular Mechanics

still sports a distinctive Scandinavian flavor
Edmunds

The 2009 Volvo S60 is a visually striking alternative to other European luxury vehicles, but it’s no longer progressive. Reviewers still find the eight-year-old model appealing and distinctive. The initial 2001 Volvo S60 was, perhaps, one of the first sedans to adopt the coupe-like roofline (a trend now exemplified by vehicles like Mercedes’ CLS). The S60's “swept-back rear roof creates a nice fastback look,” states Kelley Blue Book. Cars.com says the “curvy shape, far removed from past Volvos, gives the four-door S60 the look of a coupe.”

Automobile names “other sporty cues,” such as “the wide stance, the subtle flares at the wheel openings, and the tucked-in bumpers.” A grille and bumper redesign for 2006 smooth the S60’s exterior. According to Autoblog, changes for the 2007 model year include “a deeper lip spoiler, new grille and larger Volvo iron symbol.”

Regarding the changes made for the ’07 model year, Autoblog comments, “Many interior trim pieces have also been dipped in metal to brighten up the S60’s insides and the watch-like instruments found in the S60R and new S80 are now an option.” The Auto Channel notes that the S60’s interior “is very much an example of Swedish Modern style." Calling the interior design “similar to the previous-generation S80,” Cars.com says “the S60’s businesslike dashboard groups audio and climate controls within a broad center panel.”

Conclusion

The 2009 Volvo S60 is aging but still turns heads.

STYLING | 6 out of 10Expert Quotes:businesslike dashboard groups audio and climate controls within a broad center panelCars.comvery much an example of Swedish Modern styleThe Auto ChannelRemember the 240? Now forget it.Popular Mechanicsstill sports a distinctive Scandinavian flavorEdmunds The 2009 Volvo S60 is a visually striking alternative to other European luxury vehicles, but it’s no longer progressive. Reviewers still find the eight-year-old model appealing and distinctive. The initial 2001 Volvo S60 was, perhaps, one of the first sedans to adopt the coupe-like roofline (a trend now exemplified by vehicles like Mercedes’ CLS). The S60's “swept-back rear roof creates a nice fastback look,” states Kelley Blue Book. Cars.com says the “curvy shape, far removed from past Volvos, gives the four-door S60 the look of a coupe.” Automobile names “other sporty cues,” such as “the wide stance, the subtle flares at the wheel openings, and the tucked-in bumpers.” A grille and bumper redesign for 2006 smooth the S60’s exterior. According to Autoblog, changes for the 2007 model year include “a deeper lip spoiler, new grille and larger Volvo iron symbol.” Regarding the changes made for the ’07 model year, Autoblog comments, “Many interior trim pieces have also been dipped in metal to brighten up the S60’s insides and the watch-like instruments found in the S60R and new S80 are now an option.” The Auto Channel notes that the S60’s interior “is very much an example of Swedish Modern style." Calling the interior design “similar to the previous-generation S80,” Cars.com says “the S60’s businesslike dashboard groups audio and climate controls within a broad center panel.” ConclusionThe 2009 Volvo S60 is aging but still turns heads. 2009 VOLVO S60 STYLING | [6 out of 10] Cars.com: “businesslike dashboard groups audio and climate controls within a broad center panel” The Auto Channel: “very much an example of Swedish Modern style" Popular Mechanics: “Remember the 240? Now forget it.” Edmunds: “still sports a ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

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 new 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.

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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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