Used 2022 Volvo S60

There are a lot of good choices in compact luxury cars. One that’s often overlooked is the Volvo S60. This Volvo uses unique Scandinavian styling, and it has excellent safety scores that uphold the brand’s reputation. It’s also fuel-efficient, especially with the available plug-in hybrid powertrain.

A big update to the S60 for 2022 is a new mild-hybrid B5 powertrain. It’s a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 engine with a 48V electrical system helping to make it more efficient than the T5 powertrain in the 2021 model. Unfortunately, the potent twin-charged T6 powertrain has been dropped altogether.

Also new in 2022 is the Volvo S60 Black Edition. Volvo is building only 450 of these S60s for 2022, and they are outfitted with gloss-black 19-inch wheels and a blacked-out grille, grille slash, Volvo badge, window trim, and exhaust. The $700 package is available on the Momentum, R-Design, and Recharge (PHEV) models, in Onyx Black Metallic or Crystal White Metallic paint.

The Volvo S60 competes with German luxury cars like the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. One of the significant differences is that the Volvo S60 has standard front-wheel drive, which is uncommon in this class. The S60 doesn’t quite have the sporty driving dynamics of its German rivals, but this Volvo is a safe, efficient, and well-rounded choice in a competitive segment.

The Volvo S60 strikes a satisfying balance of comfort and sporty driving dynamics, specifically with all-wheel drive. When equipped with front-wheel drive, it’s not quite as fun to drive. The handling is more agile than an average non-luxury sedan but not quite up to par with its German sport sedan rivals.

The base turbocharged mild-hybrid engine makes more than adequate power and torque for hustling around town and getting on the highway. Meanwhile, a 48V electrical system makes it good on gas.

And available plug-in hybrid powertrain improves performance and efficiency pretty significantly. Even when the hybrid battery is drained after its 22-mile electric range runs out, it’s still an efficient sedan with ample power. It gets even more fun if you upgrade to the Polestar Engineered model, which uses a more performance-tuned version of the plug-in hybrid powertrain in the Recharge model.

The Volvo S60 is in a competitive class, but its interior is among the nicest in the compact luxury car segment. The interior design looks lovely, the materials are upscale, and it’s full of premium features, especially in the higher trims. For example, the R-Design and Inscription trims have excellent leather seats, 4-zone automatic climate control, Harman Kardon premium audio, and more.

The S60 has roomy seating in both rows. It can comfortably seat adults in the rear, which is a claim that not all of its rivals can make. However, the trunk is small for a car this size.

The S60 is a lovely execution of the distinct Volvo design language. It uses the “Thor’s hammer” LED headlight design, and its body lines create a sporty yet premium look. It also has multiple handsome wheel designs available.

The look of the S60 changes a bit depending on the trim. For example, the R-Design trim gives it a sportier look, and the Inscription trim has a more luxurious aesthetic. The Polestar Engineered model has a sporty appearance package of its own but still shows tasteful restraint. Befitting its name, the new S60 Black Edition has plenty of blacked-out exterior trim.

The size of the Volvo S60 is right in line with the compact luxury sedan segment. Its dimensions are almost identical to the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and Audi A4.

PILOT ASSIST
This available driver assistance system with adaptive cruise control makes highway driving safer and easier.

RECHARGE PLUG-IN HYBRID MODEL
The available plug-in hybrid powertrain enhances the performance and efficiency of this luxury sedan, plus it has an all-electric range of 22 miles.

The base B5 FWD Momentum model is pretty well-equipped. The base powertrain is a turbocharged mild hybrid 2.0-liter inline-4 engine linked to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Standard features include 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a panoramic moonroof, leatherette or City Weave interior upholstery, a memory driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 12.3-inch digital driver display, two front USB-A ports, and two rear USB-C ports.

Standard safety features in the S60 include blind-spot monitoring with steering assist and cross-traffic alert with auto braking, run-off road protection, lane-keeping aid, and rear parking sensors.

The standard infotainment system is a vertically oriented 9-inch screen loaded with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and 10-speaker audio.

All-wheel drive is a $2,300 option for S60 models equipped with the B5 powertrain.

The Recharge models are equipped with a powerful and efficient plug-in hybrid powertrain with standard all-wheel drive.

The B5 and Recharge models have two upper trims available: R-Design and Inscription. They both add premium features like 4-zone automatic climate control and Harman Kardon premium audio. R-Design has a sporty aesthetic with tasteful gloss black exterior trim, while Inscription has a more premium look with more chrome.

An available Climate Package adds heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. There’s a Premium Package available for the base Momentum trim, adding LED fog lights, navigation, a universal garage door opener, front parking sensors, a wireless charging pad, and more.

An available Advance Package for all trims adds a 360-degree camera, a head-up display, a 12V power outlet in the cargo area, and the Pilot Assist driver assistance system with adaptive cruise control.

The new Black Edition is a $700 package available on all 2022 Volvo S60s, but it’s limited to 4540 models.

A few individual options available include a few stylish wheel options, Park Assist Pilot, Bowers & Wilkins premium audio, and a Sport Chassis for the B5 R-Design model.

A high-performance Polestar Engineered model is available with a more performance-tuned version of the plug-in hybrid powertrain, plus a unique appearance package and more standard premium features.

There are two powertrains available under the hood of the 2022 Volvo S60. The B5 mild-hybrid powertrain is a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 with a 48V electrical system, making it more efficient than the T5 setup in the 2021 S60.

Recharge models come with a 2.0-liter inline-4 with a turbocharger, supercharger, and plug-in hybrid system. This enhances performance and efficiency compared to the B5 powertrain, and it has an all-electric range of 22 miles. A more performance-oriented version of this hybrid system powers the Polestar Engineered model.

Front-wheel drive is standard on B5 models, and all-wheel drive is optional with B5 and standard with T8. Every S60 is equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 mild hybrid (B5)
247 horsepower @ 5,400 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800-4,800 rpm
EPA combined city/highway fuel economy: 26/35 (FWD), 25/33 (AWD)

2.0-liter turbocharged/supercharged inline-4 plug-in hybrid (Recharge)
400 horsepower @ 7,000 rpm (415 horsepower in Polestar Engineered)
472 lb-ft of torque @ 2,200-5,400 rpm (494 lb-ft in Polestar Engineered)
All-electric range: 22 miles
EPA combined city/highway fuel economy: 30 mpg, 69 MPGe