2005 Volvo S60 Review
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By Sam Moses

Overview

The Volvo S60 combines excellent performance and a great shape with outstanding safety features. It feels like a tight European sedan and does a good job of smoothing out rough roads.

The S60 fills the middle range in Volvo's lineup: It's larger than the S40, but not quite as large as the premium-luxury S80.

The seats have been redesigned for 2005 for improved comfort on long trips. Its interior is handsome and the available leather has a high-quality look and feel.

Model Lineup

Five models are available for 2005: S60 2.4 ($27,235), S60 2.5T ($29,735), S60 2.5T AWD ($31,385), S60 T-5 ($33,285) and S60R ($37,250).

The S60 2.4 comes with a 2.4-liter five-cylinder engine that produces 168 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque. (A 165-horsepower, super-low-emissions, or SULEV, version is sold in California.) A five-speed manual transmission is standard. A five-speed automatic is optional ($1,000). The Premium Package ($2,995) adds leather upholstery, wood trim, dual zone electronic climate control, a trip computer, a moonroof, and a power driver's seat with adjustable lumbar support and memory. A Sport Package ($795) adds fog lights and 16-inch alloy wheels.

The 2.5T uses a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine that produces 208 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The 2.5T also adds dual-zone electronic climate control, power driver's seat with memory, fog lights front and rear, 16-inch wheels and tires. The 2.5T Premium Package ($2,595) adds leather upholstery, trip computer, moonroof, and a speaker upgrade. The 2.5T Sport Package ($795) adds sport seats, Geartronic auto-stick control for the transmission, speed-sensitive steering, and 17-inch Thor wheels with 235/45R17 tires.

The 2.5T AWD comes with Volvo's sophisticated electronic all-wheel-drive system and the five-speed Geartronic automatic, which offers a mode for manual operation.

The T5 uses a 2.3-liter inline five-cylinder engine with a high-pressure turbo with improved performance for 2005, producing 257 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque for much quicker acceleration. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, with the Geartronic automatic optional ($1,200). The T5 gets a sports suspension, 17-inch wheels and tires, Dynamic Stability Traction Control (DSTC), Brake Assist, speed-sensitive steering, HomeLink, auto-dimming rearview mirrors.

The ultra high-performance S60R comes with a 2.5-liter high-pressure turbocharged and intercooled engine that boasts 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque beginning at just 1950 rpm. It comes with a choice of a new Volvo close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox or five-speed automatic with a manual mode, and high-performance Brembo brakes with four-piston aluminum calipers. It also comes with Volvo's Four-C Adaptive Chassis along with bi-xenon headlamps, 235/45ZR17 Pirelli P-Zero tires on 17-inch Pegasus wheels, and rear spoiler. Leather upholstery, real wood trim, sport seats, and other interior upgrades are included. Alloy 8x18 inch wheels with Y-speed rated tires are optional ($995).

Standard equipment on all S60 models: air conditioning with a pollen filter; power windows, trunk release and door locks; illuminated visor mirrors; a trunk light; a tilt/telescopic steering wheel wrapped in leather; headlight wipers; power folding headrests; 60/40 split-folding rear seat; cupholders front and rear, steering-wheel controls for the audio system; and remote keyless entry. The Climate Package ($550) includes Rainsensor wipers, which automatically adjust wiper speed based on the amount of water on the windshield. The Touring Package ($595) includes remote garage door opener, automatic dimming mirror, grocery bag holder, laminated side windows, and interior air quality system (IAQS). A Dolby Pro Logic Surround Sound stereo ($1,200) is available on 2.4T, 2.5T AWD, and T5. Volvo's new On Call Plus telematics/mobile phone ($835), and Volvo DVD-based navigation system ($1,995) are available for all models.

Safety and security features: frontal, side-impact and curtain airbags up front; head restraints for all five passengers; seats that move on impact to reduce whiplash injuries; an immobilizer and alarm; a Safe Approach and Home Safe Lighting System; anti-lock disc brakes (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD).