4 Star Reviews for 2005 Volvo S60

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

4.65/5 Average
111 Total Reviews
This Year's Model Updates:

The S60 gets a revised front fascia this year with new headlamps, grille and bumper. Color-keyed side moldings, lower rocker sills and bumpers are also new, along with LED taillamps. Other changes include new flat-blade windshield wipers, revised front seats, a new center console and an improved audio system. A trip computer is newly standard, and real wood replaces the fake stuff in the Premium Package. The Sport Package gets a new wheel design, and run-flat tires are a new option. The headlamp washers have been redesigned, and the interior air quality sensor is now a stand-alone option. The 2.5T gets new wheels and available rear park assist. A wood steering wheel is also available. The Four-C chassis from the S60R is now optional on all S60s. The T5 gets a bump in horsepower, up to 257, as well as larger disc brakes and new seat fabric. The T5 also receives speed-sensitive steering and a sport suspension as standard. Black mesh inlays replace the aluminum pieces in the Premium Package, except with the graphite interior color.

Pros:
  • Superb front-seat comfort, wide variety of safety and luxury features, balanced ride and handling characteristics, available all-wheel drive.
Cons:

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 111.00
  • Mixed Bag - 2005 Volvo S60
    By -

    Excellent performance, though road noise is a bit excessive at times. 30,000 miles on the car and its been in the shop five times for various repairs: electrical issues, switches failing, very harsh "buzz" on AM radio caused by poor shielding (still not resolved completely) AWD went out at 25K (acted like FWD only, no power to rear), all fixed under warranty but I expected better from a $40-45K car. On the upside, average mileage (combined city/hwy) has been 25.6 for 20,000 miles (nice!) and gets 32 Mpg on level highway (55-60 mph). Relatively comfortable for 3-hour per day commutes. Turning radius of the Queen Mary (good grief this thing is hard to get in a small space!).

  • Fun to drive, with a few design quirks - 2005 Volvo S60
    By -

    I purchased this as a certified preowned, and have loved it ever since. While there definitely is some turbo lag and torque steer when you punch it, its still pretty darn quick. Just make sure you hold the steering wheel tightly when you floor it. The seats are so comfortable in the front, but the back seats need more leg room for my two kids. I love the simplicity of all the Volvo controls, but some need changing. The heated seats should turn off automatically when you turn off the car. Also, the door lock button only has one button for both lock and unlock. It should have one for each. Finally, the key fob has a slight delay, and my kids are always a bit too quick on the doors.

  • Be Careful - 2005 Volvo S60
    By -

    I have a love/hate relationship with my R. I love the power, the styling, and the interior (especially the atacama leather). However, the turning radius is horrible. Can rarely complete a U-Turn without making it a 3-point turn. Also, if you live in snow country, THIS IS NOT THE CAR FOR YOU. While it performs OK in the snow, the low profile tires and wheels are no match for potholes. I have already blown 3 tires and bent 2 rims. Its no fun driving if you have to be totally stressed looking for potential (yet covered) potholes. Im trading mine in.

  • Poor dealer service - 2005 Volvo S60
    By -

    The vehicle itself is fantastic, very quick and the 6 speed manual is the only way to go. It has a bit of a rough ride and a very low profile but is an exceptional piece of work. Beware of the wide turn radius on u-turns or in garages, it is more work than my last SUV. The bi-xenon headlights were adjusted wrong and it took me 3 days at the dealership to get it right, now I can actuially see at night.

  • Great personal car - 2005 Volvo S60
    By -

    Great car for a commuter or a couple. Very smooth ride and I get 30 mpg on the interstate, better than the Camry this car replaced. All the power I need (2.5T). Best front seats in the business, bar none. Back seat good for kids only; adults can tolerate only if front seats are moved well forward. Good sized trunk. Ive had no probs with long steering radius reported in other posts. Best long-range cruiser there is, period, better than Infiniti, BMW or Mercedes Ive owned. Very secure driving experience, feels like Im driving a fast bank vault on wheels. Appearance is very handsome (ruby red ext. with tan leather int., very nice combination). I am very satisfied.

  • Good performance- poor design-interior - 2005 Volvo S60
    By -

    It has great acceleration & handling. Nice sporty look. My wife loves the car, I would look else where mainly because of the interior design and options. I am 6’ 1”, on long trips the arm rests are not comfortable. It does not feel like they are positioned correctly. Power seat on driver side works with the key out. Passenger power seat does NOT work with the key off. Big pain when cleaning car. Nice stereo system. 2 levels of FM settings. Two step process to change FM levels where most stereos systems you can do it in one. Very distracting when you are driving. Do not plan on having 4 people in the car unless they are children. Two adults will not be able to fit in the back. No leg room.

  • 2005 S60 - 2005 Volvo S60
    By -

    Overall, a great car. Fun to drive, very comfortable. Luxury interior with the leather package, great options. Nice sound system. Feels like a luxury sedan - a joy to drive. Small enough to get around easily in city, fits into small parking spaces.

  • Decent Car for price range - 2005 Volvo S60
    By -

    Issues I have with the car is that the steering radius is the worst Ive ever experienced, visibility from drivers seat isnt the greatest due to cars design that causes blind spots, cant select specific songs to be played on iPod, mileage for city driving is poor (I get about 180-200 miles per tank). Very basic interior, so I purchased for a wood trim kit in an attempt to give it a little luxury. Steering on my car is pretty tight (which I like), but Ive driven other S60s that had way too much power assist. Evidently something about the model I have made it tight, thankfully. If the 3 series BMW had front wheel drive, and the rear seats folded, I would have bought it instead.

  • Fun and Relatively Economical Sleeper - 2005 Volvo S60
    By -

    Owned for about 3 months now. With 5000 miles on the odometer, I can say this is definitely one of the "funnest" cars Ive owned. With 300hp, its exhilarating driving up freeway onramps. Though a little sluggish off the line (0-10mph, mostly due to being a low- displacement 5-cyl) once above 2500RPM the sky is the limit. The full-time AWD keeps all rubber on the road, even on wet pavement, though the P-Zero tires are NOT suited for icy or snow driving. Fuel efficiency is better than expected: 25mpg average combined (window sticker claimed 24 highway--I regularly see 30-32mpg on long straight stretches at 55-65mph). Build quality is not flawless, but is very good given the $40K price.

  • 2nd Volvo - 2005 Volvo S60
    By -

    This is my second Volvo (1st was an 01 XC 70), that Ive only had for 3 weeks but so far its a great car. Turbo lag is almost non-existent. From the 1st tank of gas Ive averaged 20 MPG in the city and the engine isnt broken in yet. Homelink should be standard and the turning radius needs to be better. I did get the sport package which translates to a very firm ride.

Volvo S60 Reviews By Year:
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