2003 Volvo S60

There are several minor interior enhancements to the S60 in 2003.  The Base now comes standard with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a CD player.  The 2.4T gets those items, plus fog lights and wood accents.  New options include rain-sensing wipers and the OnCall Plus emergency communications system.

Volvo will also add a high-powered S60 R model later in the year.  The R will have 300 horsepower and all-wheel drive.  With this new S60, the Swedish automaker aims to steer buyers away from German performers like the BMW M3 and Audi S4.

S60 five-cylinder engine options expand this year, as Volvo debuts a new engine for the AWD model.  The Base S60's 2.4 liter mill generates 168 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque.  When a turbocharged is added, for the 2.4T, horsepower is boosted to 197.  The all-wheel drive S60 houses a new 2.5 liter inline five, which makes 208 horsepower.  The top level T5's engine delivers 247 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque.

Base and T5 models are available with both the five-speed manual and five-speed automatic transmission, while the 2.4T and the 2.5T AWD are automatic only.  Buyers will find the best S60 fuel economy on the Base model with the automatic transmission, which is estimated at 22/31 mpg.  All models have mixed driving mpg estimates in the low 20s.

Reviewers and owners have been very satisfied with the interior comfort of the S60, but the sedan is regarded as quite average overall in its class.  The availability of all-wheel drive continues to give Volvo an edge in this segment.  The electronic AWD system is a nice complement to Volvo's long list of standard safety features.  The S60's solid build quality is apparent on the road, but the firm suspension does not shield passengers from road disturbances as well as the competition.  Suspension settings only get stiffer with the AWD, R, and Sport Package models.