2002 Volvo S60: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Volvo's near-luxury sedan is available with all-wheel drive for 2002. The S60 is essentially the sedan version of Volvo's better-selling V70 station wagon, and both share a basic structure and some features with Volvo's S80 flagship. All S60s use an inline 5-cyl engine. The base 2.4-liter model, the more-powerful turbo 2.4T, and the sporty turbo 2.3-liter T5 all have front-wheel drive. The new 2.4T AWD apportions power to the rear wheels when the front tires begin to slip. Base and T5 models offer manual transmission or an optional 5-speed automatic. The 2.4Ts come only with automatic. Front side airbags, curtain side airbags, and antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are standard. The base model has 15-inch wheels and offers optional 16s. The 2.4Ts have 16s and offer 17s. The T5 comes with 17s. Traction control is standard on all S60s and an antiskid system is standard on the T5, optional for the 2.4T models. Optional on all is a navigation system with pop-up dashboard screen.

COMPETITION

This hotly contested segment has two clear benchmarks; the Acura TL and Lexus ES 300. Both succeed in blending comfort, style, luxury, and sport into an efficient package at an affordable price. ES 300 offers a little more luxury and TL, with it's Type-S, a bit more sport.

We Recommend the sporty and Euro-flavored BMW 3-Series as a rear-drive alternative. The "3" has enough bodystyles and engine choices to suit anyone. At the other end of the near-luxury spectrum is the posh and comfortable Buick Park Avenue--an old-school luxo-cruiser from Detroit.