2017 Volvo S60 Pros vs Cons

If you are in the market for a vehicle that offers a combination of fuel economy and performance, the 2017 Volvo S60 offers both. This small but stylish ride gives a solid and quiet ride and incorporates the safety features Volvo drivers have come to love.

What's New for 2017?

Gone is the S60's former 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine. The pairing of an eight-speed automatic transmission and turbo-charged 2.0L 4-cylinder engine is new for the 2017 Volvo S60. This new combination gives this small luxury sedan a better punch of power, especially in the T6 AWD R-Design trim. A few trims and features have also been adjusted, but the engine/transmission pairing is truly the most notable change from the 2016.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2017 Volvo S60 – The Pros

1. It's Comfortable and Sporty

Although the 2017 Volvo S60 is build for comfort, it has a sporty edge. Its seats are well-suited for long drives. The extended (by three inches) wheelbase in the Inscription gives backseat passengers extra space and comfort. The T6 AWD R-Design gives a lot more sport under the hood than some of the other trims but has just as much comfort in the cabin.

2. It's Safety-oriented

Volvo is known for being incredibly safety-oriented, and the S60 is designed with safety in mind. In addition to its City Safe features, the 2017 Volvo S60 has a standard On Call assistance feature that can get you out of a jam. The S60 earned a five-star crash safety rating in government crash testing. The optional mitigation and front collision warning system has been given a "Superior" rating.

3. Good Fuel Economy in Most Trims

The S60 gets a decent combined mpg of 26 (with 22 city/32 highway mpg). This puts the S60 on par with the top competitors in its class and even has it outperforming the 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-class.

4. Standard City Safety Low-speed Collision Avoidance System

The 2017 Volvo S60 includes a Standard City Safety Low-speed Collision Avoidance system. The vehicle will detect hazards and apply the brakes automatically in order to prevent a low-speed collision on city roads.

5. It Steers Well

Steering is pretty impeccable on the S60. Steering feels responsive and relatively light thanks to the incorporation of Polestar-specific calibrations with three adjustable weight settings located on the center console screen's menu. The S60 handles all road conditions well with its BorgWarner all-wheel drive system.

6. All-wheel Drive Availability

The BorgWarner all-wheel drive system comes standard on all 2017 Volvo S60 trims. This helps to maximize traction to stable wheels while navigating difficult or slippery turns or road conditions. Many other sedans do not come standard with AWD, so this is a really generous addition from Volvo.

7. Sensus Connect Smartphone App Integration

Volvo's Sensus Connect provides an abundance of in-car infotainment options. You can download and update apps from your car, and you can also uninstall them. The Glympse app is helpful for letting your loved ones know where you are at and when you expect to arrive at your destination.

8. The 12-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System

The Inscription Platinum trim comes with an impressive 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. These speakers provide excellent sound throughout the entire cabin, so backseat passengers will not have to strain to hear.

9. Easy-to-use Climate Adjustment Controls

Automated climate control comes standard in the base T5 Dynamic trim. "Mode man" pictograms and dual-temperature adjustment knobs lend to the ease of adjusting climate in the cabin. You won't have to spend unnecessary time trying to find the controls on a confusing interface as you would in other vehicles.

10. It's a Quiet Ride

The 2017 Volvo S60 has a sporty edge for a sedan, but the ride is still quiet and smooth. You won't have to put up with much road or engine noise from this model.

Reasons You May Not Like the 2017 Volvo S60 – The Cons

1. Lack of Legroom

Almost all of the trims seriously lack backseat legroom. Anyone over 5'10" in height will feel slightly crammed into the back. If legroom is important, the T5 Inscription is the only trim that offers three extra inches of legroom, making it easier to get in and out of the vehicle.

2. A Small Trunk

Another downside to the 2017 Volvo S60 is the small trunk space. With only 12 cubic feet to spare for the trunk, the S60 has considerably less trunk space than other sedans in its class. You won't be able to lug bulkier objects around very well.

3. Limited Rear-view Visibility

Although visibility on the front and side of the car is good, rear visibility is significantly impaired since the roof slopes in order to give the vehicle its sporty exterior appeal.

How it stacks up to the competition:

1. S60 vs. 2017 Audi A4

The S60 gets about the same fuel economy as the A4 and sells for a few thousand dollars less. The A4 has more limited feedback to the driver from the steering wheel, making the S60 somewhat more natural in terms of how it steers and handles.

2. S60 vs. 2017 BMW 4-Series

The 4-series has a slightly better sound system with a maximum of 16 speakers as opposed to the S60's max of 12. However, luxury isn't as obvious in the 4-series as it is in the S60, but if you prefer a coupe over a sedan, the BMW is the way to go.

Conclusion

The 2017 Volvo S60 has a lot to offer. Volvo has one of the most user-friendly technological interfaces, and the vehicle is easy to operate in general. Sporty performance meets comfort and safety in this chic sedan, so if you want the best of both worlds, you might want to consider test-driving the S60.