2008 Volvo S60 2.5T
+ FE for Size and Class
+ Scandinavian Safety
+ Comfort and Amenities
- 8-year-old Design
- Feels Heavy in City Driving (also lower city FE)
- Requires Premium Fuel
Introduction: I’ll cut straight to the punch.
29.0 MPG. A previous review of a Volvo S40 revealed similarly surprisingly good fuel efficiency. This is my second time in the S60, but the first to record the FE.
Note the following FE-saving graces when compared to others in the class (Acura TL, BMW 3-Series, Lexus GS/IS):
5-cylinders, Inline vs. 6 in a V or otherwise
2.5L vs. 3.5L+ Displacement
RPM @ 60 MPH: 1900 (others higher)
Turbocharged and Intercooled vs. Normally Aspirated
Cd: 0.30 (others, brick-like)
Max Torque at 1500 RPM (other higher)
Although it requires premium fuel, don’t expect to have this test use it (I doubt the last renter did so).
The entire Volvo line has been stagnant in sales for a while. With competitors boasting redesigns, more power, and a “younger” appeal, the Volvo sedan has been struggling for sales. If you drive one, that just might change your mind.
Mid-week rentals generally offer little availability in selection. I was hoping to test a newer 4-cylinder vehicle, but I stepped to the lot and saw lines of Vans, Trucks, and SUVs. I spotted a Camry and went for it. Buggah. Someone had just claimed it. Hidden behind a van was the S60. Oh, why not. It turns out that may have been a wise decision.
On the Outside: Classic Volvo. The grille, broad shoulders, and an austere quality gives the appeal of a much more expensive vehicle. Nothing new here. This base model is loaded with amenities like foglamps (front/rear), turn signals in the mirrors, and other goodies, including headlight washers. One of the best features is that 0.30 drag coefficient. I always like amber turn signals in the rear (separate from the brake) – it seems more visible to other drivers.
For our European readers, the S60 may be best known for its police duty. Yeah, the cops have it nice in there.
On the Inside: The S60 wraps you in a blanket of comfort. The 3 available memory settings move the seat and outside mirrors on request. Full leather and heated seats compliment the steering wheel controls for cruise and radio settings. The sound system has a good tone, but the display is difficult to see on sunny days. An auxiliary input is standard.
HVAC controls are standard Volvo: with automatic climate control and dual temperature zones. I really like the upper ventilation selector. It’s a combination of defroster and “face cooler”. In the Summer, it cools this hot spot. You can select any combination of upper, middle, and lower ventilation.
With the thunderstorms and high humidity during the outbound leg of the trip, it was necessary to cycle the A/C to defog the windshield. Also equipped – rain sensing wipers (which, in my opinion, haven’t worked well on any car I’ve tested).
The gauge package includes an Instant FE readout, Average FE, distance to empty, and stability/traction control on/off indicator. It would be convenient to have a boost gauge.
Safety: Who does safety better than Volvo? You name it, it has it. Excellent crash ratings, advanced headrests for whiplash protection, a full-surround of airbags, ABS with brake force distribution, traction and stability control systems. It’s a vault.
Efficiency: What a design! As eluded in the intro, FE was surprisingly high (especially if you don’t have to stop). It’s a heavy car, but it could be heavier with a bigger engine. That’s the beauty of this setup. Torque down low, a tall final gear, a small displacement, turbocharged Inline-5, low rolling resistance tires (the same on my car
), and a slick Cd make it a great highway cruiser. I can only speculate that the 87-octane fuel may put the car in a lower power mode to prevent detonation.
The Drive:: So, running on 87-octane in a 5-banger, and having a tall gear ratio should make performance akin to a VW bus. Not so. Spool up the turbo at any RPM and off you go. The performance is felt at the redline first to second shift, where boost is at its highest. It’s not as fast as it’s 6-cylinder counterparts, but I considered it plenty fast for its class and price (that’s 0-60 in 6.8 seconds). This is all from the same size engine as the Altima 4-cylinder!
Despite its larger size and luxury looks, this vehicle handles well. It’s a fun car to drive – braking is excellent, and the ride is compliant yet a bit stiff at times. Perhaps it’s turbo-lag, but starting from a stop seems to be hesitant. Steering is firm with rather numb feedback. Otherwise, the cabin promotes comfort and a relaxed driving environment: perfect for hypermiling. No real complaints here.
Side Note: I rented this on a trip to visit family in Ohio a few months ago. For those familiar with past reviews, the rural, winding roads and little makes it a great performance test area (location: confidential). I used to drive the twisties all the time, so the curves are mapped on the grey matter. The S60 performed like a much smaller, high-performance vehicle. The slap-shift auto keeps the gear held for the corner and the turbo waiting for exit. It will bring a smile to your face. OK, back to being responsible…
For the Energy Conscious: It’s a big car. If you insist on luxury, it may have the best FE in its class (The Audi A4 has very similar specs and a higher EPA rating – not yet tested) – but, consider how much luxury you really do need.
Consider the size and your needs in a vehicle. Even as a “Compact” this is a fairly large conveyance. There may be better, more fuel-efficient options that satisfy this requirement. If you must have one, definitely opt for the 2.5T (base) FWD (an AWD version is available). Manual transmissions are only available on the high-performance “T5” model. The Subaru STI-like S60R has been discontinued.
EOC action turns off the headlights, which may require a work-around. Rolling neutral-to-drive engagement requires precise rev-matching, or you’ll get the “thump and jolt”.
Raw Data:
Model: 2008 Volvo S60
Trim: 2.5T
Class Size: Compact Luxury Sedan
Transmission: 5-Speed Automatic with Manu-Matic shifter and lock-up torque converter and “Winter” mode
Engine: 2.5 L, Turbocharged, Intercooled, Inline-5 cylinder, rated at 208 HP @ 5000 and 236 ft-lbs of torque @ 1500
Drivetrain: FWD
RPM @ 60 MPH: 1900
ECU Target Coolant Temp: 190F
Curb Weight: 3523 lbs.
EPA: 18/26
EPA Average Fuel Cost per Year: $2356
EcoModder Tested Mileage: 29.0 MPG
Speed Avg: 53 MPH
Time of Operation: 10.2 hours
Distance Driven: 511 Miles
Ambient Outside Temp: 50-80F
Seating Capacity: 5 (snug) at 2+3 or 4 more comfortably at 2+2
Price as Tested: $31,000 USD (April, 2008)
Cruise Speed: 70 MPH
Test Loop: Kansas City – Wichita – Kansas City
Wind/Weather: Outbound – Thunderstorms, Avg. 20 MPH Headwind; Inbound: Clear, 25 MPH Headwinds gusting to 35
RH77