2009 Volvo S60 Sedan 25t 5-cyl 5-speed Review
The Car Connection Expert Review
Author
May viii, 2009
Likes
- Quiet interior
- Firm merely smooth ride
- Great forepart seats
Dislikes
- Dated design inside and out
- Narrow trunk opening
- Rear headroom is limited
- Much higher toll for '09
Buying tip
features & specs
4-Door Sedan ii.4T FWD
4-Door Sedan 2.5T AWD
4-Door Sedan 2.5T FWD
The 2009 Volvo S60 isn't a sport sedan, but it is a comfortable, safe, all-atmospheric condition mid-size automobile with an eager powertrain.
TheCarConnection.com's editors collection the new Volvo S60 in lodge to give you an expert opinion in this Lesser Line. TheCarConnection.com has besides highlighted some of the most useful observations from other sources in the Full Review to help you make the all-time buy decision.
The 2009 Volvo S60 is Volvo's mid-size sedan, offered in condolement-oriented 2.5T or sporty T5 models. The S60 continues unchanged with its swoopy, aerodynamic style that was truly trend setting when get-go introduced for 2001; the S60 got a minor face-lift in 2007, but you tin barely tell the front-end differences from a distance, and the S60's design, inside and out, is now looking quite dated.
The Advanced Package adds several features to the S60 T5, including inscription leather seating, a premium sound organization with Dolby ProLogic Two Surround, a six-disc CD changer, brushed-aluminum door handles, rear park aid, and Dual Xenon Gas Discharge Headlights with Active Bending Calorie-free (ABL) among other items. Of course, 2009 retail prices for all three models reflect the increase in standard equipment.
A turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine with 208 horsepower moves the ii.5T, while a 257-hp, 2.4-liter five propels the T5—the latter's greater force due mostly to a higher-boost turbo. Both engines produce brisk acceleration and responsive performance with the 5-speed automatic transmission, and despite the power differences, the two models feel quite similar off the line at college speeds or when passing. All 2009 Volvo S60 models have a smooth ride and responsive steering, simply they autumn brusk around precipitous corners, peculiarly on rough surfaces. Every bit with other members of the Volvo lineup, shoppers are likely to find the standard suspension more agreeable than that of the T5, which brings a rougher ride but not much more composure in corners. Torque steer—a pull to the side under hard acceleration—tin exist an issue on the front end-bicycle-bulldoze 2.5T, though the AWD model remedies that.
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The cabin in the 2009 Volvo S60 is especially well isolated from road and current of air noise; information technology's a very pleasant place to exist. The fantabulous front seats in the S60 are some of the best contoured and virtually supportive in their class, but in back, it's a different story; rear passengers will notice information technology short in legroom and possibly headroom, due to the sloped roofline.
For 2009, the Swedish automobile manufacturer extensively upgrades the list of standard equipment, with many features that were previously options, but prices rise appreciably—a surprising strategy for a model that'due south due to be replaced next year. The 2009 S60 2.5T front end-wheel-bulldoze and ii.5T AWD models now come up standard with items that used to be a part of the Premium Package, such as sport leather seating surfaces, a ability glass sunroof, a ability passenger seat, genuine wood inlays, rear shelf speakers, and car-dimming mirror with compass. The five-speed automatic transmission now has the Geartronic transmission shift role. The Climate Package with heated seats, headlight washers, and rain-sensing windshield wipers, as well equally the Advanced Parcel with a premium audio arrangement, 17-inch Talos alloy wheels, speed-sensitive steering, and aluminum inlays, are notwithstanding available for both models.
The 2009 Volvo S60 attains four-star ratings (out of five stars) for frontal impact and five stars for side affect, along with top "skilful" ratings for frontal and rear impact but "acceptable" ratings for side impact from the insurance-affiliated IIHS. The S60 includes a list of safe features comparable to that of its rivals, including stability command, anti-lock brakes, front side airbags, front-seat whiplash protection, and side-curtain bags.
The 2009 Volvo S60 is crumbling simply still turns heads.
The 2009 Volvo S60 is a visually hit culling to other European luxury vehicles, but information technology'due south no longer progressive. Reviewers still find the eight-year-old model appealing and distinctive. The initial 2001 Volvo S60 was, mayhap, one of the commencement sedans to adopt the coupe-like roofline (a trend now exemplified by vehicles like Mercedes' CLS). The S60's "swept-back rear roof creates a nice fastback expect," states Kelley Blue Book. Cars.com says the "curvy shape, far removed from past Volvos, gives the four-door S60 the wait of a coupe."
Car names "other sporty cues," such as "the wide stance, the subtle flares at the wheel openings, and the tucked-in bumpers." A grille and bumper redesign for 2006 shine the S60's exterior. According to Autoblog, changes for the 2007 model year include "a deeper lip spoiler, new grille and larger Volvo fe symbol."
Regarding the changes fabricated for the '07 model twelvemonth, Autoblog comments, "Many interior trim pieces have likewise been dipped in metal to burnish up the S60'due south insides and the watch-like instruments establish in the S60R and new S80 are at present an pick." The Auto Channel notes that the S60'southward interior "is very much an case of Swedish Modern style." Calling the interior design "similar to the previous-generation S80," Cars.com says "the S60'southward businesslike dashboard groups sound and climate controls within a broad center panel."
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If yous are i of the BMW true-blue, the 2009 Volvo S60'southward peaky turbo power, lack of manual transmissions, and forepart-wheel-drive architecture isn't going to sway you.
According to reviews from effectually the Web, the 2009 Volvo S60 falls curt in smoothen, rapid performance, though it does offer all-bike drive. Car and Commuter says the Haldex all-wheel-drive system on the 2.5T AWD is a benefaction to those driving in choppy climes—"formidable in the snowfall" or "snow-covered gravel and ice surfaces," declares the reviewer.
The 2009 Volvo S60 ii.5T and 2.5T AWD come standard with a light-pressure level, turbocharged inline five-cylinder engine producing 208 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. Standard on the T5 and optional on the two others is the high-pressure level inline-five with 257 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.
According to Motorcar and Driver, the torque curve for both the base and higher-output varieties are pretty flat, and the horsepower figures are impressive, so acceleration remains class competitive, with a T5 yielding 0-threescore times of 6.5 seconds. "Only the delivery isn't as linear as it is in a naturally aspirated Audi or BMW six," they continue, hurting the S60 in the luxury class in which it plays. Others aren't quite equally critical. "The ii.5T engine provides good acceleration and plenty of passing power," finds Kelley Blueish Book, who besides feels that it works "well with the Geartronic automated manual," the merely manual offered, having lost its manual option for the '08 model year. Says Car and Commuter, "refined isn't its centre name," reminding us "this 2.five is a transversely mounted in-line five, an inherently uncivilized layout." The Auto Channel comments on the engine's "unique five-cylinder howl" above five,000 rpm.
Reviewers are unanimous near the inability of the S60's front-bike bulldoze to elicit the kind of response and fun that a rear-wheel-drive chassis does. Kelley Bluish Book points out 1 of the biggest issues associated with front-wheel drive, griping that "the loftier-powered T5's noticeable torque steer can, at times, get annoying." They too malign its steering, maxim it "does not feel as continued and precise equally those of the BMW 3 Series or Infiniti G35." Edmunds too feels that the "Swedish sedan's treatment dynamics are a flake tiresome compared to newer rivals." Of the steering, Auto snipes that it "offers almost as much experience as you'd go driving with woolly mittens." ConsumerGuide praises the "satisfyingly solid construction," but considers, equally do others, that the ride is a bit harsh, assuasive "minor route imperfections to exist felt more than than in most class rivals."
ConsumerGuide says the "brakes feel strong," and Edmunds agrees, stating they "indeed exhibit impressive stopping ability."
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Incredibly comfortable forepart seats make the 2009 Volvo S60's interior one of the best, even if it's not fresh.
Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com accolade the 2009 Volvo S60 glowing praise for its front seat comfort and support. The Automobile and Driver reviewer attests the 2009 S60 is "very comfy for long cruises" and "probably my get-go choice for a route trip." Edmunds agrees emphatically, stating, "front end occupants will savour in the comfort of the Volvo's orthopedically designed seats." Kelley Blue Book lauds the wide-for-its-class interior, proverb this feature "translates into generous shoulder room."
The backseats of the S60 don't fare quite as well as their front-of-cabin counterparts. Car and Commuter says, "Rear-seat passengers also complained about having to crane their necks sideways because the big front headrests blocked their view frontwards." Edmunds warns that "rear passengers will probable find the legroom tight," and ConsumerGuide notes "the nicely shaped bench seat is comfortable for two medium-sized adults, but legroom is very tight if the front seats are ready far back."
Regarding the 2009 S60's interior, a few editors consider it to be assembled well, though somewhat Spartan in appearance. "The Volvo S60's interior is functional only doesn't feel upscale unless you club the leather upholstery and Dolby Surround Sound options," comments Edmunds. Cars.com judges the base trim, with its cloth seat, manual driver's seat, and single CD-thespian, to be "modest."
The Motorcar Channel sums upward the S60s ergonomics: "Volvo'due south iconic climate control switches are the most cocky-explanatory in the industry." Kelley Blue Book loves "the placement of the optional navigation screen, which rises up from atop the dash rather than being integrated into the audio head unit."
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Safety is 1 area where the 2009 Volvo S60 does non fall backside the contest.
Though the S60 is non as feature-rich as Volvo's newer S80 and V70, the 2009 Volvo S60 has most of the same condom-feature content.
The Insurance Plant for Highway Safety (IIHS) testing yielded the acme "adept" rating for the S60 overall and an "acceptable" rating for side-touch testing. In NHTSA'southward frontal impact crash testing, the S60 earned 4 out of five stars for both commuter and front passenger. For side-affect crash protection, it earned 5 out of five stars for both forepart and rear.
The 2009 S60 has a "full complement of standard safe equipment," says The Auto Channel, including 3-point belts with pyrotechnic pretensioners, whiplash-protection seats, front seat side affect airbags, forepart-to-rear side pall airbags, anti-lock brakes, stability control, and Volvo'southward OnCall telematics.
Popular Mechanics remarks on Volvo's "safety cage design," featuring the front and rear crumple zones Volvo helped introduce to the auto manufacture decades ago, equally well as side-impact door guard beams that are at present taken nearly for granted in automotive blueprint. And Edmunds mentions, "rear parking help is optional."
The 2009 Volvo S60 gets more standard features this year, simply they come at a price.
For 2009, many features of the Premium Package and Advanced Package are incorporated into the standard S60 ii.5T and 2.5T AWD, and features from the T5's Advance Package are made standard.
The 2009 S60 2.5T front-wheel-drive and 2.5T AWD models now come standard with items such every bit sport leather seating surfaces, a ability drinking glass sunroof, a power passenger seat, genuine woods inlays, rear shelf speakers, and car-dimming mirror with compass. Likewise, the five-speed automatic manual now has the Geartronic manual shift role. To the S60 T5 Volvo adds inscription leather seating, a premium sound system with Dolby ProLogic II Environs, a six-disc CD changer, brushed-aluminum door handles, rear park assist, and Dual Xenon Gas Discharge Headlights with Active Bending Light (ABL), amongst other items. 2009 retail prices for the S60 become a large mandatory boost to lucifer the new equipment listing.
For many drivers and reviewers, the 2009 Volvo S60 offers a gracious pick of technology and features. One of the most unique features of the S60 is its optional navigation system. Rather than integrating the nav screen with the radio display or computer/iDrive display a la BMW, Volvo tucks the screen neatly away inside the nuance when not in use.
Of this feature, ConsumerGuide appreciates that this system "doesn't absorb audio or climate functions"; ConsumerGuide also deems the toggle buttons "inaccessible to the front end passenger" and the "dashtop screen…hard to read in daylight." Says Car and Driver, "most drivers had no trouble using the optional navigation system…information technology was like shooting fish in a barrel to keep a peripheral heart on it while driving." Toggle control buttons for the system are located on the back of the steering wheel, earning praise for their ease of use simply jeers for lack of redundant controls for the co-pilot in the passenger seat.
Edmunds remarks that the S60'due south notable optional features "mostly come bundled in packages," and "include an excellent xiii-speaker Dolby Pro Logic surround sound organisation with an in-dash CD changer, a navigation system, Bluetooth, Sirius Satellite Radio, heated front seats, rain-sensing wipers and an interior air quality system"—not to mention a power glass sunroof, active bi-xenon headlamps with washers, rain-sensing wipers, and custom alloy wheels.
Nigh the radio, Car and Driver notes it's "unique considering its functions are all controlled by turning knobs—even the radio presets." They feel that it takes some getting used to, "but once learned, it was easier to utilize than most conventional units."
The Climate Package with heated seats, headlight washers, and pelting-sensing windshield wipers, too as the Avant-garde Parcel with a premium sound system, 17-inch Talos alloy wheels, speed-sensitive steering, and aluminum inlays, are still available for both the 2009 S60 2.5T and 2.5T AWD.
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Source: https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/volvo_s60_2009
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