Volvo S60 D2 Review: Sleek and steady

What we like:

Impressive fuel economy

What we dislike:

The price

Considering that Volvo was one of the first to introduce a diesel into the Category A range, its performance and efficiency was indeed remarkable. The S60 D2 puts out 115 horses with 270 Nm of torque, and can be labelled as impressive when propelling you from any traffic light.

This probably isn’t the best of what Volvo could have offered, but is all made up for by the sheer fuel economy of the 1.6 litre diesel power plant under the hood. On paper, the S60 D2 clocks 4.3 litres to the hundred, which one cannot deny is incredibly impressive for a car in its range.

As a diesel sedan, the S60 D2 has a relatively small torque band, completing its century sprint in slightly above 12 seconds. This, however, can be more than made up for with its comfort and ride quality.

For the more adventurous driver, the S60 D2 offers a different kind of kick when the gear knob shifts into ‘S’ (Sports) mode. Torque is kept at its optimal range, although we felt that Volvo could have impressed a little more by adopting paddle shifters.

The common misconception about diesel lies with the noise it produces, but the S60 D2 crushes this with its sheer sound insulation. Road noise is almost non-existent at high speeds, and the diesel clatter extremely well insulated.

At $166,000 inclusive of a $15,000 CEVS rebate, the S60 D2 might be perceived as a little too pricey, albeit it being an attractive Category A premium sedan. The car puts out 114 g/km of carbon emission, and this is certainly more admirable than its T4 variant, which stands at $205,000, with a higher emission of 159 g/km.

Taking this into consideration, combined with a significant tag of $1,344 for a 12-month road tax for the S60 D2 ($600 more than the T4 variant), this diesel workhorse might be well suited for the high-mileage club drivers frequently on the move, especially useful for runs up the North-South Highway.

Credits: Story by Irwin Tan, Photos by Benjamin G. Kline and Irwin Tan