2011 Volvo S60 T6 AWD - Drive Time Review

Drive Time review of the all-new 2011 Volvo S60 T6 AWD by auto critic Steve Hammes

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Volvo
• S60
• T6
• AWD
• 2011
• Swedish
• Geely
• China
• turbo
• Drive
• Time
• review
• Steve
• Hammes
• city
• safety

[ThousanWhite]

So, saying it's not quite a BMW 335xi or a Audi S4 is a huge compliment, given that the Volvo is a lot cheaper.

[stevehammes]

@ThousanWhite Right, but I wouldn't call it a lot cheaper. Add a navi to my tester and a few other tricks and you won't strain your eyes to see $50,000.

[ThousanWhite]

@stevehammes It's definitely a lot cheaper. A loaded S60 will scrape around $48,000. $50,000 ain't cheap, but I'm saying that a loaded 335xi will catch you for at least around $58,000 and a loaded S4 is asking for well north of $61k. I could definitely say that comparing apples to apples, the S60 is a lot cheaper.

[stevehammes]

@ThousanWhite For fun, I just built a 335i xDrive and equipped it as close as I could to the S60 I was given and it came in at just under $48,000...about $4,300 more than the S60. So yeah, that's pretty significant. I see your point.

[DJEddieXZ]

Steve not ever car needs or wants to be like BMW, Audi, or Mercedes. Everyone seems to have forgoten that its okay to be Unique.

[stevehammes]

@DJEddieXZ I totally get that! I like the Volvo angle, if you will. They go their own way in many regards and the S60 should bear fruit for them.

[86kinky86]

the best thing abut volvos are the seats. That's the real secret.

[ckauffold]

In my years, I've owned an Infiniti G35, BMW, Audi, and now, a "naughty Volvo" S60. It's pretty loaded. Frankly, it's my favorite of the lot. Handles great--but gives you a bit more "friendliness" in the ride. Also--back seat isn't bad.

It's not perfect--there is no such thing, anyway! It's fun to drive, and the "city drive" feature has already worked once for me with a car ahead of me that had no break lights!!

Thank you Volvo!

[MrRuv10]

Err...no Automatic headlights when it gets dark. I have to say, I have lost count when I see countless drivers drive without their light on, when its dark out there-which if you ask me this is top in the waiting for an accident list. Anyway, it sounds a bit contradicting when one says how 'safe' they really are when theres no such feature. Personally, I ll still stick to the 3 series...

[Vanrocco66]

Id still rather buy a Saab 9-5X!!

[mondeost2202008]

Comparing a Volvo S60 with a BMW 3 series like comparing Porsche 911 to a Jaguar XK. Both cars are priced the same, both have similar performance figures and both are always pitted against each other but you can't hide the fact that one was built to be a hardcore performer while the other was built to be sporty with comfort in mind.

Sporty doesn't always have to be, responsive, pointy and a huge pain in the ass (and back).

[tobythesandwich]

@wsijtsma On what display? It's not going to tell you. They either turn on automatically or they don't. lol

[wsijtsma]

@tobythesandwich It does have auto on/off lights.

[wsijtsma]

It does in fact have automatic lighting. It just doesn't say on the display it does.

[KatiushaVN4]

it's like 007 car

[socalguy97]

Not for nothing, because this is a great looking car, and I enjoyed my own test drive of it, but I'd happily give up the edge in performance for the styling and refinement of the Buick Regal--and actually, I did. It's what I bought recently. The Regal just has the overall edge, and the pricing is competitive. Also I'm a former 3 series owner, and I'd say the S60 and 3 series are pretty much on par--a good thing, yes, but not enough to earn my purchase and definitely not a benchmark vehicle.

[matthewdaniel1000]

@ThousanWhite Why people compare a Volvo T6 AWD with an S4? The S4 has a V8 engine!

[Lillie1986]

@Arlind22 Yes they are, but they have a different approach on it than previously. Theyve now invested alot more into preventing crashes instead of so much protecting you when you crash as cars today are already almost as safe as a car can get without a rollcage.