Five Cylinders? Why??? Volvo S60 T5 Reviewed

What is the Volvo S60?

If you watch touring car racing you probably know the S60, most enthusiasts probably know this car also…soooo…T5? This car isn’t exactly one of those rare JDM machines that anyone but the most hardcore enthusiasts would know of, however I’ve only seen two of them in my state and if you decide to look this car up on Craigslist it seems everyone chooses the T6 model! Why? Cue needless yet amusing USA self hate. Because ‘Murica! Anything less than six cylinders is for weaklings and children! Truck yeah!

The S60 Range

The S60 comes in multiple models, but in the USA we get the T5, T6 and T6 R-Design. There are also T3 and T4 models…but those don’t come to the USA. The T3 and T4 are turbo I4 engines…I bet you can guess how that would go over! The lack of RWD models is sad…at least in my book, RWD or AWD are more fun in my opinion and in the case of AWD more practical also. Gotta love northern USA weather, cold, snow covered, cold and really just cold.

S60 T5

The S60 I happen to have possession of is the T5 model. Thankfully, Volvo is a safe, logical, composed company…so model numbers are simple. T5 stands for Turbo five cylinder engine! No way! Too easy. Why five? Five cylinders allows them to fit a slightly larger engine in the space designated for a i4 or similar small engine, without having to reconstruct the entire engine bay for the new size. I also think it sounds quite brilliant…goes pretty quickly also! Take that with a grain of salt though, I happen to drive an NA MX-5, so everything is quick to me!

The Actual Review!

Exterior Styling

Subdued, that would be the word I would use to describe the T5. They didn’t try to make it look faster than it is. They saved the large spoilers (you either kill your son or nuke Boston, Han Solo dies, uuuh…I’m out. Cars not pop-culture, kids!) and splitters for the T6 R-Design…and even then, they keep it quite chill. It manages to meld the classy, business-cruiser look with the more raucous, performance sedan style. The emphasis leans towards the business style, probably because that is their target audience. This car has the same idea as the first generation Audi R8, tone down the looks, make it usable, drivable, and fast enough to keep up with the competition.

Interior Design

Similar to the exterior, Volvo incorporates clean lines running through the interior of the car whilst following the rule of KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). Except on the center console!

This center console is insane! Full 12 key keypad, dials, buttons, buttons within dials, a button that drops the rear headrests for greater visibility…or just for smacking people in the head! This car has a button for everything, and more. The buttons also managed to infect the steering wheel in a way common of modern cars. All of your media is controllable through the steering wheel, with data presented through three screens; two lcds inside the speedometer and tachometer, and the main infotainment display.

The infotainment is ok…it gets the job done. Prettily? Nope. Fast? Well…No. At least a bunch of features? Yeaaaa… NO. This infotainment is basic, built for a purpose. Take calls, play music and control car settings. That’s it. So onto something more interesting, the seats! How could seats be more interesting?

Well…transitions are awkward (every moment is a comedic moment) and those seats are pretty fantastic!
The front seats. The back aren’t bad, slightly cramped sometimes…but do you really want to be anywhere but the drivers seat? Both front seats are heated with three settings, which actually makes it adjustable enough where it will not cremate you. Just slightly singe. The seats are leather (a must for me, so much easier to clean) and very supportive. These seats will adjust to wherever you want them and then hold you there. Slipping and sliding will not happen. The bolsters are just aggressive enough to hold you in nicely, yet offer a comfortable place to sit.

The interior is finished with nice soft touch plastics everywhere, everything feels solid and well designed. Push button start because racecar. Key in dash…because Aston?

Reliability

Only have had the car for less than a year…so there isn’t much for me to report. The car seems solidly built, as evidenced by the safety rating…likely overbuilt even. The doors have a nice confidence inspiring heft to them when closing, so you feel that if you do take a corner too fast and end up in a tree…you will be in one piece and the tree will be in two. Not that you would end up off the road in the first place…right?

Performance

This car isn’t mind numbingly fast, as evidenced by the numbers. However, as evidenced by the MX-5, speed ≠ fun. The MX-5 is slooow, yet a fun car to drive. So how well does this transfer to the Volvo? Not quite as well, the car is still a blast to drive…but it is not a sports car.

The 250 horsepower will move the car along with enough urgency to be fun, yet keep you from getting out of hand. What can get out of hand though, is the turbo lag. In most driving it isn’t noticeable at all, but when launching away from an intersection to show that BMW driver “Volvos aren’t boring, I swear!” or even just passing on the freeway, pedal goes down, revs climb. Nothing happens, especially scary in the case of the freeway…and then BOOM. The car sits back on it’s haunches and dives forwards, terrifying anyone within 100 feet.

So what do I think?

Honestly, I love this car (and italics and bold apparently). I think it drives brilliantly, and is one heck of a fun way to get to work daily. As is standard with Volvo, it is a sensible machine that is safe…yet somehow in all of their logic and serious design. Somehow. Volvo made something that is a joy to look at (except the center console, I’ll never get over that) and also to drive. Good job Volvo, good job. I feel I may be returning to you in the future, likely will be.

Specs! (2012 Model)

2.5 Liter (Only metric used in the USA!)

Inline 5 Cylinder Configuration

Horsepower: 250 @ 5,500 RPM (186.5 kW)

Torque: 266 Lb·Ft @ 1,800 RPM (360 N·m)

3,514 Lbs (1588 Kilos)

Redline: 6,500 RPM

6-Speed Auto (also has the “manual“ mode…not a manual…no clutch…whatever though)

All of the inherent Volvo safety measures…

EPA Combined Estimate: 23 Mpg (About 10 Kp/L)

0-60 MPH - 6.2 Seconds

60-0 MPH - 128 Feet (39 Meters)

1/4 Mile - 14.7 Seconds @ 95.4 Mph

Lateral Acceleration: 0.8 g

This content was originally posted by a Car Throttle user on our Community platform and was not commissioned or created by the CT editorial team.