2002 Volvo S60: Road Test
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2002 Volvo S60 ▼
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- MSRP: $27,125 -$34,025
- Invoice: $25,497 -$31,983
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Our road test for the 2002 Volvo S60 includes a full evaluation of the 2002 Volvo S60 from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2002 Volvo S60, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2002 Volvo S60 help you decide if a 2002 Volvo S60 is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| 2.4T | 2.4T AWD | T5 w/ nav. sys., man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 6 | 6 | 6.2 |
No S60 springs off the line, but all pick up speed impressively enough, especially the turbos. Test 2.4T AWD did 0-60 mph in 7.9 sec, manual-transmission T5 in 7.3, but manual-shift action feels crude. Turbo engines' throttle lag leaves you short of power sometimes, and mild "torque steer" wander occurs on front-wheel-drive models in fast takeoffs. Volvo's AWD system provides outstanding grip on slippery surfaces.
FUEL ECONOMY
| 2.4T | 2.4T AWD | T5 w/ nav. sys., man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 4 | 4.6 |
Test 2.4T averaged 21.7 mpg. Extended-use-test 2.4T AWD averaging 22.9 mpg over its first 7,033 mi. Manual-transmission T5s averaged 21.5 mpg in a city/highway mix, and 17.9 with gas-eating performance tests. Volvo recommends premium fuel for the turbo engines.
RIDE QUALITY
| 2.4T | 2.4T AWD | T5 w/ nav. sys., man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 5 | 7.2 |
Structure is satisfyingly solid, but suspensions allow minor road imperfections to be felt more than in most class rivals, especially in the T5 with its extra-firm damping and thumpy low-profile performance tires.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| 2.4T | 2.4T AWD | T5 w/ nav. sys., man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 7 | 7 | 6.7 |
T5 tries hard, but can't match the moves of rear-drive sport-sedans. Still, road manners confident in all models, though there's more body lean in turns than we would like. New 2.4T AWD feels more secure than front-drive 2.4T, more supple than T5. Brakes have strong stopping power, and feel easily modulated to some testers, but a bit touchy around town to others.
QUIETNESS
| 2.4T | 2.4T AWD | T5 w/ nav. sys., man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 6.8 |
Engines muted at modest rpm, but these inline-5s are never as smooth as rivals' V6s, and T5 becomes a throaty Hoover at full throttle. Wind noise and tire slap also high for the class.
CONTROLS
| 2.4T | 2.4T AWD | T5 w/ nav. sys., man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 5 | 6.3 |
Well-marked, nicely lit gauges. Agreeable controls, with three exceptions: The radio's 20 station presets are selected by scrolling with a single rotary dial rather than by individual buttons, a feature not all our testers like. The dashtop navigation screen isn't easy to read in daylight. And the navigation system's controls are on the steering wheel, inaccessible to the passenger. Interior design is stylish and modern, but some budget-grade plastic panels detract from the atmosphere.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| 2.4T | 2.4T AWD | T5 w/ nav. sys., man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
Comfortable, supportive seats are wider and softer than the European norm. Outstanding leg and head room. Visibility restricted aft by high parcel shelf, bulky headrests, sloped roofline.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| 2.4T | 2.4T AWD | T5 w/ nav. sys., man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 5.4 |
Nicely shaped, and comfortable for two medium-sized adults, but leg room very tight if front seats are set more than halfway back. Rear cupholders added for '02.
CARGO ROOM
| 2.4T | 2.4T AWD | T5 w/ nav. sys., man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 4.2 |
Trunk is wide and deep, but not tall, and has a smallish opening. Adequate cabin storage.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| 2.4T | 2.4T AWD | T5 w/ nav. sys., man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3 | 5.1 |
These are arguably the most-stylish Volvos ever, and certainly are the best-handling Volvo sedans yet. But compromised powertrain smoothness is hard to overlook in the hotly contested near-luxury class, especially at the $36,000 sticker price of our 2.4T, 2.4T AWD, and T5 test cars. The all-season capability of the 2.4T AWD is an asset to this line, but it doesn't match the Acura TL and Lexus ES 300 for overall value.
Total Score
| 2.4T | 2.4T AWD | T5 w/ nav. sys., man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53 | 55 | 49 | 59.5 |
Total Score: 52
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