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10 Best Used Cars Under $8,000

2009 Volvo S60

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Overview

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2009 Volvo S60 Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

Now in its eighth year of production, the 2009 Volvo S60 has more than earned its keep. Introduced in late 2000 for the 2001 model year, the Volvo S60 helped launch a styling revolution that transformed the brand's image from boring box to stylish Swede. Relatively unchanged since its inception, the S60's design has held up well, although newer designs from Audi, Cadillac and Lexus certainly appear more contemporary. The S60, however, is about far more than just good looks. The car is well-known for its extensive safety features and excellent crash-test results, and its turbocharged engines provide both performance and good fuel economy, an important consideration for today's buyers. With a roomy cabin, notably comfortable front seats and a long list of comfort and convenience items, the 2009 Volvo S60 deserves to be near the top of every premium midsize sedan shopping list.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're looking for a premium sedan with some style, the 2009 Volvo S60's sculpted hood, trunk and aggressive wheel and tire packages give it a much bolder look than its understated German and Japanese rivals. The S60 is also a bit wider than some competitors, which translates into generous shoulder room.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you're looking for the neutral handling only a rear-wheel-drive sedan can provide, the high-powered T5's noticeable torque steer, that sometimes pulls at the steering wheel during harder acceleration, can, at times, become annoying. The omission of a manual transmission may also deter purists. The 2.5T is also not as powerful as many similarly-priced V6 models.

What's New for 2009

All models receive more standard equipment, along with a higher price tag. The contents of the Premium Package have been made standard on 2.5T and 2.5T AWD models, while the sporty S60 T5 receives features contained in last year's Advanced Package. In addition, the Geartonic manual-shift feature is now standard on all trims.

Driving the S60

Driving Impressions Both the 2.5T and T5 offer good handling and acceleration, with the more powerful T5 providing a bit more thrill. Torque steer (a front-wheel-drive car's tendency to pull to one...

side or the other) is evident during hard acceleration, but the traction and stability control system helps mitigate the characteristic. The S60's steering does not feel as connected and precise as those of the BMW 3 Series or Infiniti G35, but its smooth ride and comfortable cabin certainly compare well with the Lincoln MKZ and Audi A4. Without a manual transmission, the S60's sporting intensions are somewhat muted, although the five-speed Geartronic transmission does allow for manual gear shifting. Volvo's excellent front seats cradle the occupants without pinching and provide excellent support on long drives.

Favorite Features

Sport Seats
The S60's leather sport seats strike a good balance between comfort and body-holding ability.

Navigation System
The optional navigation system features a retractable screen positioned atop the dash instead of integrated into the audio unit.

2009 Volvo S60 Details

Interior

No matter which S60 you choose, all models share two important traits: A roomy, ergonomically-sound interior and an exceptional safety record. The S60's front seats feel great on your back and feature an anti-submarine design to help keep you from sliding under the dash during an accident. Functionally, the S60's near-perfect instrument panel has every switch, lever and button within easy reach. We love the placement of the optional navigation screen, which rises up from atop the dash rather than being integrated into the audio head unit.

Exterior

The 2009 Volvo S60's front end has a soft, rounded appearance, although the familiar diagonal-badge grille treatment remains firmly in place. The S60's shape is defined by its sharpened V-shaped hood and trunk lines that join to form a truly attractive sport sedan. The swept-back rear roof creates a nice fastback look and allows the rear doors plenty of glass to aid visibility. In recent years Volvo has produced a number of attractive new wheel designs and bold exterior colors to enhance the S60's appearance.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 2009 Volvo S60 has a five-speed Geartronic automatic transmission, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS), Dynamic Stability Traction Control, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, illuminated remote keyless entry, front and rear fog lights, dual heated power mirrors, AM/FM stereo CD and auxiliary input jack, front side-impact and front and rear head-curtain airbags, cruise control, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, 16-inch alloy wheels, garage door opener, power sunroof, sport leather seating and power driver's and passenger's seats. The T5 adds aluminum trim, rear park assist, active bi-xenon adaptive headlights with washers, 17-inch alloy wheels and a High Performance sound system with six-disc CD changer and MP3/WMA compatability.

Optional Equipment

Options vary by trim and include all-wheel drive, heated seats, headlamp washers, rain-sensing wipers, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, navigation, active bi-xenon adaptive headlights, rear park assist and custom alloy wheels.

Under the Hood

The 2.5T engine provides good acceleration and plenty of passing power. This engine works well with the Geartronic automatic transmission, though somewhat lazy shifts left us wishing for a manual option. The high-pressure turbo of the T5 model seems to be the best choice for the S60, with better low-end torque than the 2.5T and more acceleration as the turbo builds boost pressure.

2.5-liter in-line 5 Light-Pressure Turbo
208 horsepower @ 5000 rpm
236 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1500-4500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/28 (FWD), 18/26 (AWD)

2.4-liter in-line 5 High-Pressure Turbo
257 horsepower @ 5500 rpm
258 lb.-ft. of torque @ 2100-5000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/26

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2009 Volvo S60 Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

4.9

Out of 5

Based on 28 Ratings for the 2009 - 2012 Volvo S60 models.

Review this car

Value

4.8/5

Quality

4.8/5
Reliability

4.9/5

Performance

4.8/5
Comfort

4.9/5

Styling

4.8/5

Pricey

By gorj (AR) on Thursday, February 09, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 50,000

5 4.0

overall rating 4 of 5rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 4/5
Value: 4/5
Reliability: 4/5
Quality: 4/5
Performance: 4/5
Styling: 4/5
Comfort: 4/5

Pros: "Good looking. 25-31 MPG. Fit and finish."

Cons: "Over priced. Expensive to own. Poor resale."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 4

"I have driven a Volvo for the last 40 years. The S60 is a good auto, but it can be expensive to own. Recently I needed a spare key and remote. I was blown away when I was told by the dealer it would cost about $400. Yes $400! The S60 is comfortable to drive and handles well and has plenty of power. I find it a bit to small in the driver's seat area. A Camry is much easier to get in and out of. Volvo has always had a reputation for building a safe auto, but today most all vehicles are as safe and many much less expensive to purchase and own. For example last year I sold a 2004 Volvo and a 2004 Camry with about the same miles and condition: the Camry sold for more than the Volvo! New, the Volvo cost about $15k more!"

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Cramped for six footer

By MyFirstVolvo (NJ) on Tuesday, February 07, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 11,000

5 5.0

overall rating 5 of 5rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Reliability: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Performance: 4/5
Styling: 5/5
Comfort: 4/5

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"I'm 6' tall and find that I can't adjust the seat so that I can both comfortably reach the steering wheel and also not have my right knee bumping the center console, especially on longer trips. Whenever driving, unless you have trained your arms to not get tired with your hands in the 10:00 and 2:00 position on the wheel, you will likely find that you need to adjust your grip often to fight fatigue. I'm someone who drives with my right hand generally near the top of the wheel and my left hand gripping the center left of the wheel, with my left elbow resting on the window sill. This has always been comfortable for me. In the S60, the distance from the window sill to the wheel requires you to put a lot of pressure on your fingers to maintain control, making them go numb easily. My only other negative is the blind spot created by the support between the front and rear right side windows. Otherwise, I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience with my first Volvo."

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