Pros

Solid all-around performance; well-balanced float and handling; really gentle front seats; copiousness of oppulance and reserve features.

Cons

Blasé engine note; close backseat for taller folks; longish interlude stretch compared to rivals.

More Than a Sixth Man

By John DiPietro, Automotive Editor


Published: 04/05/2012 

Facing vast guns like a BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G and Mercedes-Benz C-Class in a entry-level oppulance competition sedan diversion is like going adult opposite NBA gamers like Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard and Kevin Garnett. But as we found out while shower adult a miles on a freeway, commuting, using errands and enjoying a coastal drive, a 2012 Volvo S60 T5 has got game.

As a Volvo, a S60 has copiousness of cutting-edge reserve facilities designed to protect, well, not usually a motorist and passengers yet also flattering many everybody in a vicinity. With a accessible Driver Alert Control (which senses line ramble and that would be operative overtime in L.A.), it can even strengthen a motorist from himself. And should we unexpected be temperament down on a walking (who is during slightest 31 inches tall), a accessible walking showing underline can assistance we equivocate attack that clearly suicidal jaywalker by automatically requesting full braking force if we don’t conflict fast enough.

When you’re not avoiding spur and unfeeling hazards of a civic jungle, a S60 T5 creates for a excellent automobile. The turbocharged five-cylinder engine competence sound a tiny gruff, yet energy smoothness is extended and sincerely well-spoken and there’s some-more than plenty titillate on tap. A movable float over neglected city roads, sure-footed (if not inspiring) handling, decent fuel economy and expectedly glorious seats turn out a S60′s amiable, application actor personality.

Good as a 2012 Volvo S60 T5 is, there are other giveaway agents estimable of consideration. More critical pushing enthusiasts should check out a BMW 328i, while those who need a incomparable backseat could journey a Infiniti G. Other estimable players in a brew embody a Acura TSX, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Performance

The S60 T5 runs with a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-5 engine (hence “T5″) that cranks out 250 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The solitary delivery accessible is a six-speed automatic, and it doesn’t have a sportiest calibration in a competition sedan segment. Those who revelry in grave engine sounds competence not puncture a T5′s rather gravelly voice. Think Volvo’s Rod Stewart to BMW’s Barry White.

Overall, a 2012 Volvo S60 T5 provides plain if unexciting performance. Programmed for fuel potency like many automatics these days, a T5′s delivery can make a automobile feel idle as it hurries into aloft gears and requires a counsel poke to a gas pedal to downshift. But putting it in Sport mode perks it up, as it binds reduce gears longer and stairs down some-more readily. The T5 is respectably discerning as it sprints to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, about midpack for a segment.

You won’t get punished during a siphon either, as fuel economy is flattering good for a 250-hp oppulance competition sedan. Despite a neutral feet, gusto for Sport mode and traffic-ridden commutes, we averaged 22.3 mpg opposite a EPA’s total guess of 23 mpg. A kicked-back journey adult a Pacific Coast Highway yielded 28 mpg.

With their on-going movement and sincerely organisation pedal action, a brakes achieved good in daily driving, while during a lane a T5 stopped from 60 mph in a drama-free (quietly, with no pedal tremble or wander) 128 feet. However, that’s a bit next normal for this category where we’d design closer to 120 feet.

Volvo unabashedly trumpets a S60 as a competition sedan. But nonetheless we can make sincerely brief work of a circuitous road, hustling it along isn’t utterly as many fun as it would be in a few of a S60′s rivals that offer crook doing and a some-more involving drive. Although a S60 sticks good in a corners, there is some-more physique hurl than we’d design when pulpy harder. Still, a existence is that many folks won’t expostulate that tough and would expected be gratified with a T5′s efficient doing and well-weighted, accurate steering.

Comfort

Long a Volvo virtue, a front seats are about a best in a business with their well-shaped cushions and plain support. We found adequate composition in a energy motorist chair and tilt-and-telescoping circle to accommodate both a brief and a high among a editors. The same can’t be pronounced of a back seats. Sure, they’re gentle for folks who are about normal in height, yet legroom isn’t in good contentment and a voluptuous tilted roof line robs it of back headroom.

Although a 2012 Volvo S60 T5 gives divided all-out athleticism to a competitors, we can’t impugn a ride. Whether it’s traversing pothole-riddled city streets or grooved petrify freeways, a Volvo stays composed, holding a hits yet jostling a passengers. It’s also sincerely still during speed. At 70 mph a T5′s cabin purebred 64.5 dBA, even quieter than a BMW 328i.

Function

At initial glance, all those tiny buttons populating a core smoke-stack can be confusing, yet some chair time creates this a non-issue. The meridian controls underline informed turn knobs for heat and fan speed as good as Volvo’s crafty “Mode Man,” wherein we simply press on a partial of a seated humanoid’s physique where we wish a atmosphere to flow. The navigation complement is also candid to operate, with a required dial interface and discerning arrangement graphics.

Our automobile had adaptive journey control and, once we get gentle with a thought of a automobile negligence down on a possess if need be, it’s a acquire feature. Rather than carrying to cancel and resume your set speed to concede for a lessen and upsurge of turnpike traffic, a complement uniformly adjusts your quickness to compare a automobile in front of we as we come adult on it. This once was a underline found usually on vast reward sedans and it’s a pleasure to see it used in a automobile that’s some-more affordable.

At 12 cubic feet, a S60′s case ability is on a tiny side, yet it’s about a same as a A4′s and C-Class’. Well-shaped and with secluded hinges, it is easy to bucket and creates a many of a capacity. You can dump a fold-down back seats around a integrate of levers conveniently located in a trunk, rather than carrying to travel around and strech into a back chair area to entrance a releases — a good touch.

Design/Fit and Finish

With a swoopy roof line and flared fenders, a latest S60 looks rather clean and is a large instance of Volvo’s newer styling direction. To a eyes, a 2012 Volvo S60 T5 is one of a best-looking cars in a class, that is observant something when you’re gripping association with a likes of a A4 and 328i.

Volvo’s heading slim form core smoke-stack highlights a cabin, while lead accents yield a sporty and upscale touch. Although a two-tone interior is accessible during no additional cost for Premium package-equipped cars, ours had a monotone black. Most staffers cite a two-tone treatment, as they feel it creates for a richer and some-more enchanting cabin. One can also comfortable things adult inside by opting for genuine timber accents.

Overall, a interior exudes quality, with solid, well-finished materials and tight, uniformly spaced row gaps all around.

Who should journey this vehicle

If efficient altogether performance, long-haul comfort and unique, large styling lift some-more lean for we than ultra-sharp and communicative handling, a 2012 Volvo S60 T5 deserves critical consideration. Those who like a T5′s attributes with even some-more flog and a some-more enchanting soundtrack might journey a T6 chronicle of a S60, that facilities a 300-hp turbocharged V6.

Others To Consider
Audi A4, BMW 328i, Infiniti G, Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The manufacturer supposing Edmunds this car for a functions of evaluation.