2017 Volvo S60

2017 S60 volume trim is the T5 Dynamic FWD with the turbocharged 2.0L Drive-E four making 240 hp at 5,600 rpm.

T5 Drive-E's peak torque plateau of 258 lb-ft runs 1,500-4,800 rpm; the T6 AWD adds forced induction (turbo+supercharger) for 295 lb-ft.

Volvo's own claim for the T5 Drive-E FWD sedan is 6.0 seconds to 60 mph; the T6 AWD R-Design is quicker at a claimed 5.6 seconds.

Volvo's 2.0L Drive-E turbo four is smooth and quiet for a four-cylinder and pulls cleanly from low rpm thanks to its wide torque plateau, but reviewers still note it lacks the effortless, characterful delivery of six-cylinder rivals from BMW and Audi in this segment, and there is mild turbo lag off idle.

The Aisin-sourced 8-speed automatic shifts smoothly and stays well-matched to the turbo four's torque curve in daily driving, with only occasional hesitation hunting for the right gear under light throttle.

AWD (Haldex-based) is optional on most 2017 S60 trims (T5 AWD, T5 Inscription AWD) and standard only on the range-topping T6 AWD R-Design; it's a straightforward on-demand system with no low-range or terrain-mode sophistication, appropriate for a sedan.

For the US 2017 model year the entire S60 range is built around one 2.0L turbocharged Drive-E four in three states of tune (T5, T6 turbo+supercharged, Polestar-tuned) — there is no US-market hybrid, PHEV, or six-cylinder alternative; the diesel and China-only S60L PHEV are not sold domestically.

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2017 S60 T5 FWD (Momentum/Inscription), the volume front-drive turbo-4 configuration; AWD and Polestar variants rate lower.

EPA city rating for the T5 FWD volume trim.

EPA highway rating for the T5 FWD volume trim.

EPA-derived total range on a full 17.8-gallon tank at the combined rating; AWD trims (463 mi) and Polestar (409 mi) run shorter.

EPA estimated annual fuel cost at standard 15,000 mi/yr assumptions for the T5 FWD volume trim; AWD and Polestar trims cost more ($2,350–$3,300/yr).

The volume T5 FWD/AWD engine runs on regular 87-octane gasoline per EPA listing, keeping running costs low; only the range-topping supercharged AWD and Polestar variants call for premium fuel.

The 2017 S60 (second-generation, 2014 facelift, pre-dating the 2019 third-gen redesign) carried NHTSA's top overall rating, with 5 stars in both frontal and side crash protection.

IIHS rated every crashworthiness test (small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, head restraints/seats) Good, and standard City Safety earned an Advanced front crash prevention rating with Superior available via the optional Collision Warning/Full Auto Brake package. The 2017 S60 earned 'Top Safety Pick+', though the '+' tier applies only to trims with the better (Acceptable/Good-rated) headlights — the base Inscription trim's Poor-rated headlights fall outside it.

Standard City Safety (collision warning, full auto brake, pedestrian/cyclist detection, updated for 2017 with run-off-road mitigation) is comprehensive and fleet-wide, but blind-spot monitoring/rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise/Pilot Assist remain bundled into the optional Vision Package/BLIS package rather than standard on the volume Dynamic trim.

IIHS rated the standard City Safety system Advanced for front crash prevention on the 2017 S60, avoiding a collision at 12 mph, with a Superior rating (avoiding the 12 mph test and cutting 14 mph off the 25 mph test) for models equipped with the optional Collision Warning and Full Auto Brake package.

Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are alert-only (BLIS, radar-based) and only available bundled into the optional Vision Package — not standard on any 2017 trim.

Lane Keeping Aid and Pilot Assist's lane-centering function are offered, functional up to 80 mph, but as second-generation Pilot Assist hardware they are less refined than the smoother systems on rival German sedans of the same era, and both are optional rather than standard.

Pilot Assist combines adaptive cruise with steering support from a standstill to 80 mph — a capable, reasonably integrated system for the segment in 2017 — though it remains an optional feature (added to the BLIS/Vision Package) rather than standard.

Pilot Assist requires hands on the wheel and disengages with a warning if hands-off driving is detected; no supervised hands-free highway system was offered on the 2017 S60.

IIHS rated headlights Acceptable on the Dynamic, Polestar, R-Design and Inscription-with-Tech-Package trims (HID projector low beams, curve-adaptive and high-beam assist on most), but Poor on the base Inscription trim's halogen reflector headlights with no adaptive function — the volume Dynamic trim lands at Acceptable, short of Good.

Reviewers note narrow roof pillars and large glass give a good all-around view from the front seats with little obstruction in turns, though a high rear decklid and tall door sills reduce sightlines for rear occupants, and a rearview camera is not standard across the full range.

IIHS rated LATCH ease of use Acceptable (A) — lower anchors are hidden below the rear seat cushions (requiring some digging to locate) but move easily once found, with more accessible tether anchors; rear seat space is workable but tighter than segment-leading rivals for larger convertible seats.

Standard 5-passenger configuration across all 2017 S60 trims (second-generation, 2014 mid-cycle refresh continuing through this model year).

Roomy front headroom near the top of the compact luxury sedan band, unchanged from the rest of the 2014-refresh second generation this model year carries over.

Mid-pack front legroom for the segment, unchanged across trims for this second-generation model year.

Strong second-row headroom for a compact luxury sedan, aided by the boxier second-generation greenhouse shared across the 2014-2018 refresh.

Tight rear legroom on the volume standard-wheelbase Dynamic trim, a known weak point versus segment rivals; the long-wheelbase Inscription trims are meaningfully roomier but are not the representative volume configuration.

Below-average trunk space for the compact luxury sedan class, identical across all 2017 S60 trims, though offset by a low liftover height and a pass-through for long items.

Storage is limited to conventional door bins, a front console/armrest bin and cupholders with no standout innovation; owner reports specifically criticize the sliding cupholders behind the shifter as too shallow to hold a travel cup or water bottle without fouling gear changes.

Front seats are repeatedly praised as exceptionally comfortable and well-bolstered road-trip companions, but rear seats are cramped and less supportive for tall adults unless upgraded to the long-wheelbase Inscription, pulling the overall score down from the top band.

A balanced, taut and steady ride with driver-selectable Comfort/Sport/Advanced chassis settings on equipped trims, but it leans firm rather than plush and some owners report it as stiffer than expected over rougher local roads.

Well-isolated cabin described as smooth and quiet enough for easy everyday commuting, with the long-wheelbase T5 Inscription adding extra sound-deadening material for even better isolation; a mild step short of best-in-class quiet.

Heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, heated windshield and active cabin filter are bundled into the optional Climate Package available on T6 AWD R-Design and the T5 Inscription/Inscription Platinum trims, but are not offered at all on the base-volume T5 Dynamic, leaving comfort equipment gated rather than broadly standard.

The 2017 S60's entry trim is the T5 Dynamic FWD, priced below most German rivals in the compact luxury sedan class.

T5 Inscription was Volvo's standard mid-spec sedan trim and the volume seller for 2017; AWD Inscription was also common in cold-climate markets.

Volvo's European-sourced parts and specialized service push repair costs above mainstream sedans; the 3-year/36,000-mile complimentary maintenance plan offsets some early-ownership cost, but out-of-warranty years 4-5 typically see a step up.

Volvo resale values trail Lexus/BMW/Audi due to lower brand cachet and steeper depreciation curves; the S60 depreciates somewhat worse than the compact luxury sedan segment average.

Standard Volvo bumper-to-bumper coverage for the era, in line with most European luxury rivals.

Volvo does not extend powertrain coverage beyond its basic warranty, unlike Hyundai/Kia/Genesis' 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain terms — a real disadvantage versus segment leaders on this specific item, though typical of German rivals (BMW/Audi/Mercedes) in this era.

Volvo included complimentary scheduled maintenance covering the first three services (10k/20k/30k miles) plus four years of unlimited-mileage roadside assistance — solid multi-year coverage, though shorter than some rivals' longer free-maintenance windows.

$37,795 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (47% retained, or about $17,764) leaves about $20,031 in depreciation. Add the projected $5,500 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $25,531 in total.

The 2017 S60 (second-gen, 2014 facelift carried over unchanged for 2017) sits at roughly average predicted reliability — better than the fraught early Drive-E years but not a standout in the compact luxury segment.

Volvo's multi-year dependability standing through this era is mid-to-below-pack; the brand's JDP dependability ranking slid toward the bottom of the industry by the late 2010s, driven mainly by infotainment/electronics complaints rather than powertrain failures.

The 2017 S60 carries a moderate recall count — door latches, front side-airbag inflator initiators, and a seat-belt anchor cable fatigue issue — serious enough to require dealer repairs but not a systemic powertrain or fire defect.

The T5 Drive-E 2.0L turbo-4 paired with the Aisin 8-speed automatic in the 2017 model year is regarded as one of the better Drive-E years — the oil-consumption issues (PCV/piston rings) that plagued 2015-2016 units were largely addressed by 2017, and the 8-speed is a clear step up from the older 6-speed Aisin TF80-SC.

Reviewers consistently praised the S60's cabin material richness and seat quality for the price, even as the overall design was noted as starting to look dated next to newer German rivals by 2017.

No widespread panel-gap, rattle, or assembly-quality complaints turned up in period reviews or owner reports for the 2017 model year; the main owner-facing quality complaints were software/infotainment glitches rather than physical assembly.

Volvo's roughly 435-dealer US network in 2017 was thinner than mainstream and even some luxury rivals (Lexus, BMW, Mercedes), though the brand was actively investing in service capacity and technician training at the time.

Individual parts run pricier than mainstream brands, but the S60's total cost of repairs undercuts the luxury-segment average, putting it in a favorable middle position versus German rivals.

Standard across T5 Dynamic, T5 Inscription and T6 AWD R-Design; sits at the floor of the sedan normalization band and is small even for MY2017.

This second-generation Sensus system is controlled via center-console keypad/rotary controls and a steering-wheel keypad rather than a touchscreen — text entry uses a numeric-keypad character wheel. Contemporary reviews called it dated and menu-heavy versus rivals' touch-first systems, though voice/steering-wheel shortcuts partly compensate.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not offered from the factory on any 2017 S60 trim (second-generation Sensus predates Volvo's CarPlay rollout, which arrived with the 2019 third-generation S60). Only third-party aftermarket retrofit modules exist for this generation.

Sensus Navigation with MapCare was standard on every 2017 S60 trim, with basic voice commands for phone/audio functions. Functional for the era but most owners would default to phone-based navigation given the small non-touch display.

Base trims get an 8-speaker 'High Performance' system with AUX/USB/iPod inputs; the T6 AWD R-Design comes standard with a 14-speaker, 610-watt Harman Kardon Premium Sound system (optional on Dynamic/Inscription via the Navigation & Audio package) — a genuinely strong premium option for the segment and era.

The Adaptive Digital TFT Display — a fully digital, theme-switching gauge cluster (Eco/Elegance/Performance) — was standard across all three 2017 S60 trims, which was ahead of most compact-luxury rivals still offering analog gauges as standard in this era.

Sensus Connect included an integrated modem/Wi-Fi hotspot, but map updates via 'MapCare' were periodic downloads rather than a true wireless whole-vehicle OTA pipeline (that arrived with the Google-based Sensus in the 2019 third-generation S60). No feature-adding software OTA existed for MY2017.

Volvo On Call (standard with a 6-month complimentary subscription, then paid) provided remote lock/unlock, vehicle locator and remote climate preconditioning from a phone app — solid core functionality for the era but subscription-gated and no digital key.

Device connectivity was limited to a single USB/AUX/iPod input tied to the audio system; no wireless phone charging pad or rear-seat USB ports were offered on the 2017 S60 (Volvo did not introduce wireless charging until later model years).

Keyless entry and start was standard across all three 2017 S60 trims, and the Volvo On Call app added remote lock/unlock and climate preconditioning. No phone-as-key or power liftgate-style convenience existed yet on this sedan.

A rear Park Assist Camera with sensors was standard on every 2017 S60 trim; front-and-rear park assist and a lane-change merge aid were bundled into the optional BLIS package. No 360-degree surround view or automated parking was offered on this generation.

No head-up display was offered on the US-market 2017 S60 — it appears in none of the standard-feature tables or the six optional packages (Vision, Navigation & Audio, Sport, Technology, Climate, Convenience, BLIS) in the model-year catalog.

LATCH hardware is complete (full lower anchors at both rear outboard positions plus a rear-center tether) and easy to use once found, but IIHS rated ease-of-use only Acceptable because the lower anchors sit deep in the seat cushions; the trunk-only cargo layout and cramped standard-wheelbase rear seat make daily stroller/gear loading more effort than segment leaders.

The 2017 S60 posts a 5-star NHTSA overall rating and IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with standard City Safety autonomous emergency braking on every trim including the volume Dynamic, a strong family safety floor; the gap to a top-band score is that blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise are bundled into the optional Vision/Pilot Assist packages rather than standard.

Front seats are repeatedly praised as excellent for long trips and the cabin is quiet enough for relaxed multi-hour drives, but the standard-wheelbase rear seat is cramped for adults, rear entertainment/amenities are thin, and the below-average 12 cu ft trunk pinches family gear capacity once four occupants and luggage are aboard.

A taut, steady ride with a smooth, well-calibrated 8-speed automatic and good forward visibility from narrow pillars make the volume T5 an easy, low-fatigue daily driver, with only mild turbo lag off idle and a firmer-than-plush ride over rough pavement keeping it out of the top band.

The volume T5 FWD returns an EPA-rated 29 MPG combined on regular 87-octane gas with an estimated $2,100/yr fuel cost — solidly average-to-above for a compact luxury sedan and cheaper to run than the AWD/Polestar variants, though well short of hybrid/EV commuting costs in the broader sedan class.

The S60's compact sedan footprint and clear front sightlines through narrow pillars make it easy to place in traffic and tight spaces, but a high rear decklid limits rear visibility and a backup camera was not standard across the full 2017 trim range, so parking assistance depends on which trim/package is fitted.

As a compact luxury sedan the S60 has no factory payload/bed and only a modest aftermarket-hitch tow rating around 3,500 lb with no factory tow package, well short of what real work duty demands; its trunk-only cargo area further limits utility for job materials.

The 2017 Drive-E T5/8-speed combination is regarded as one of the more sorted Drive-E model years with the earlier oil-consumption issues largely resolved, but overall brand reliability sat mid-to-below pack in this era and the S60 has no fleet-duty reputation or hard-use pedigree — it is a luxury commuter, not a proven work tool.

The S60 offers no tie-down points, no factory upfit or rack ecosystem, and its available leather/premium trim and carpeted trunk are the opposite of a washable, abuse-tolerant work interior — it has essentially no jobsite-oriented provisions.

A quiet, well-isolated cabin with genuinely praised front seats and a 516-mile EPA-derived range on the FWD volume trim make the S60 a capable mile-eater, and optional Pilot Assist adds full-range adaptive cruise with steering support; all of that fatigue-reducing tech is optional rather than standard, keeping it short of the top band.

AWD is only optional on most trims (standard on the range-topping T6 R-Design) and is a straightforward on-demand Haldex system with no low-range or terrain modes; low ground clearance, no roof rails, and only a modest aftermarket tow rating leave the S60 pavement-bound with little genuine off-pavement or gear-hauling capability for adventure use.

Standard 60/40 split-folding rear seats and a ski pass-through (with a low trunk liftover) give some flexibility for skis or long, narrow items, but the below-average 12 cu ft trunk, sedan-only cargo access (no hatch), and lack of roof rails or a factory hitch cap how much bulky gear the S60 can realistically swallow.

The 2017 S60 (second-generation, facelifted for 2014) is tuned for comfort over sport: body control and grip are secure and the car feels poised through corners, but reviewers consistently note it falls short of genuine sport-sedan agility.

Electric power steering is quick and accurate enough for confident placement, but multiple reviews describe the weighting as heavy rather than communicative, with little genuine road feedback.

No instrumented 60-0 mph test results for the 2017 S60 T5 were found; period reviews raise no complaints about pedal feel or fade, consistent with an adequate, unremarkable compact-luxury-sedan brake package.

The T5 Drive-E 2.0L turbo-four (240 hp) pairs with an 8-speed automatic that shifts smoothly with no perceptible turbo lag; a minority review flagged some coarseness from direct injection and stop/start under load.

Cabin refinement is strong for the class, with the four-cylinder well isolated under normal driving; road/tire roar on larger-wheel trims is the main intrusion rather than powertrain noise.

Mid-pack for a compact sedan; consistent with third-party owner reports of an 18.7-19.7 ft turning radius depending on trim/wheel size.

Front seats earn praise for long-trip support and comfort with a driver-focused cockpit layout, though bolsters run narrow for larger drivers; controls and sightlines are otherwise well judged for the segment.

The S60 is pleasant and confidently quick day to day, with reviewers calling it enjoyable rather than genuinely exciting; Volvo itself pitches it on comfort and easygoing appeal over backroad thrills.

Base 2017 S60 T5 Dynamic includes City Safety collision mitigation, dual-zone climate, power/heated front seats, 7-inch Sensus touchscreen, and keyless drive standard — competitive but leather upholstery, navigation, and the larger 8-inch Sensus display remain options rather than standard, unlike some rivals at the same price.

At $33,950 base, the 2017 S60 undercuts the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class while still offering standard active-safety tech and available Polestar/R-Design performance variants, giving fair-to-good content per dollar even though the aging platform lags newer rivals on tech.

2017 lineup spans five distinct configurations — Dynamic (base FWD), Inscription/Inscription Platinum (long-wheelbase luxury), Cross Country (raised all-weather), R-Design Platinum T6 AWD, and the 362-hp Polestar — covering budget, comfort, all-weather, and performance buyers without major gaps.

S60/V60-family US volume fell roughly 20% year over year as Volvo's lineup shifted toward the XC60/XC90 SUVs, and compact luxury sedan buyers increasingly favored the segment's SUV counterparts — a clear declining trend rather than steady mid-pack performance.

Volvo's Scandinavian design and safety-first reputation carry real brand equity, and the S60 is regarded as a strong-reliability, well-resolved premium sedan, but the brand still sits below BMW/Mercedes/Audi on aspirational pull for compact-luxury shoppers.

Volvo supported the S60 with meaningful lease bonuses and factory incentives through 2017 as it pushed volume ahead of the model's replacement, giving buyers real negotiating room without desperation-level discounting.

2017 is the final model year of the second-generation S60 (introduced 2010, last facelifted for 2014) before the all-new third-generation S60 arrives for 2019 on Volvo's SPA platform — buyers are getting a seven-year-old design on the eve of a full redesign.

The 2017 S60 earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and reviewers consistently praised its comfort, safety tech, and refinement, but it was rarely the outright winner of comparison tests against the BMW 3 Series or Mercedes C-Class, which reviewers still favored for driving dynamics and cabin tech.