2023 Volvo S60

The 2023 Volvo S60 is an executive midsize sedan designed to appeal to consumers who appreciate comfort and good value. It is powered by a mild-hybrid four-cylinder engine that develops 247 horsepower and 258 lb-ft, which is a bit below its nearest rivals in the USA, which include the BMW 3 Series and the Genesis G70. Nevertheless, it is capable of delivering an effortless driving experience, and with AWD available across the range, grip and cold-weather capabilities are assured. The S60's excellent ride quality also bolsters its appeal as a composed luxury car.

The new Volvo S60 sedan is much the same as it was, though the lineup has been renamed for simplicity's sake, and its looks are a little sharper than before, helping it stand out from the competition. Hopefully, this will be enough to draw more attention to this outstanding sedan that tends to fly under the radar.

The price of the new Volvo S60 is more or less what you'd expect from a luxury vehicle, with the B5 Core starting at $41,300. The jump between trim levels is quite modest, with the B5 Plus set at $44,000 and the B5 Ultimate at $46,750. Upgrading to all-wheel drive adds $2,300, regardless of the trim. The Black Edition color theme costs $2,345 for the Core and Plus, while the Ultimate gets it at a discount for $1,945.

These prices for the 2023 Volvo S60 are MSRP and do not include the $1,095 destination and handling fee.

Modern Volvo cars have become known for being pleasant to drive. These Swedish cars now have enough power to deliver a thrill or two, and their handling can't be faulted, either. However, the fact remains that the S60 is not designed to be a go-fast sports sedan. It has too much class for that, as you can see in the plushly appointed interior, where comfort is the key focus. This extends to its driving character, where poise and ride quality are top of mind. The suspension is tuned not for cornering antics but rather to soak up road imperfections without even hinting at their existence - although it never loses it's footing through a set of bends either.

There is no surplus of feedback from the steering, and its quick and accurate responses do tighten up a bit at higher speeds. At the end of the day, this is no athletic Bimmer, but the Volvo is able to keep up with the cool kids when it wants to.

In review, the Volvo S60 is a comfortable, luxurious, and sometimes even playful executive sedan that deserves a spot near the top of any discerning buyer's shortlist. It is packed with value, too, and the Swedish penchant for safety and reliability will not do you wrong. Though it may not have loads of space inside for a family or cargo, it can serve as a people hauler when it needs to be, and running errands around town is usually a breeze.

Most other automakers will charge you extra for the tech that comes standard in any S60, and even the top trims, with their extra levels of luxury, are reasonably priced for the segment. But, if you want a little more power and even better fuel economy, you could also consider the S60 Recharge. Either way, you are getting a car that doesn't cut any corners and performs well no matter what type of lens you view it through.

Now that the lineup has been simplified a little, it is easier to tell what each trim brings to the table. Even so, you can't go wrong with the base-level Core, which includes plenty of advanced safety features and enough comforts for most needs, especially if you tack on the Climate package for those heated front seats, since they don't come standard at any level. But, the adaptive cruise control, Pilot Assist, and surround-view camera on the Plus are hard to pass up for the small increase in price. Of course, if money isn't an issue, the Ultimate has a name that says it all.