Superior
Volvo goes for the sporty touch with its medium-class S60/V60 series, launched in 2010. The elegantly rounded roof line makes the S60 saloon close to a coupé, while the V60 slips into the role of sports estate. Both representatives of the model range score points with top reliability, brilliant workmanship and high safety standards. As in the last two years, the Swedish car secures victory in the medium class in the DEKRA Used Car Report 2017.

The amount of space for the passengers is okay. However, the dynamic fastback of the saloon in the rear passenger compartment means that some headroom is sacrificed. Additionally, the loading capacities are not all too abundant. The trunk holds 380 liters in the S60; in the estate, it holds only 305 liters, although when the trunk is extended it holds 1,241 liters. The workmanship and material quality are first rate.

On the road, the medium-class Volvo is characterized by agile handling and precise steering. The balanced chassis offers nice suspension comfort. The safety package has always been one of the strengths of the Swedish car manufacturer. In addition to the usual airbag phalanx and ESP, S60/V60 include a city emergency braking assistant with pedestrian detection as standard. The list of equipment optionally includes a driver fatigue warning system, a lane keeping assistant, adaptive cruise control and a speed limit display. The standard equipment includes audio, air-conditioning (2-zone as of Kinetic) and an automatic start-stop function.

The refined and economical five-cylinder diesel D3 and D5 with 163 hp/120 kW and 215 hp/158 kW go well with the medium-sized Volvo. The 1.6-liter four-cylinder D2 with 115 hp/84 kW is particularly frugal. Following the facelift in 2013, it takes only 3.9 liters according to the norm.

The petrol engines, such as the two-liter four-cylinder 2.0T with 203 hp/149 kW, also offer a lot of driving performance. A fine six-gear dual clutch transmission is available for this engine as well as the T4 and the T5. Four-wheel drive is available for both bodywork models in combination with the T6 and the D5 engine.

Commentary 2017
The S60/V60 beats all the top runners and is the winner of the mid-range. Even inscreasing mileages leave the Swedish car unimpressed. Quite to the contrary, just like a good wine the S60/V60 rather becomes better with increasing age. Congratulations to Volvo!