2013 Volvo S60

Are you sick of seeing the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class everywhere? Then Volvo hopes you'll consider its S60 compact luxury sport sedan. The Swedish S60 has a lot going for it other than its good looks and safety tech. The S60 is available in a variety of drivetrains with five- and six-cylinder engines, all paired to a six-speed automatic. The S60's base engine is a 2.5-liter turbocharged I-5 which makes 250 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. For 2013, the I-5 (T5 in Volvo-speak) is available in either front- or all-wheel drive. Optional is a 3.0-liter turbocharged I-6 that makes 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque on the S60 T6, or (if you step up to the top-spec R-Design) 325 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. All turbo I-6 S60s come standard with all-wheel drive. The EPA rates the front-drive S60 at 21/30 mpg city/highway, the all-wheel drive I-5 S60 at 20/29 mpg, and the I-6 S60 at 18/25 mpg.

The S60 was a surprise contender the last time we gathered it up in a comparison test . In a test that included eight contenders with big names like BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz, the front-drive Volvo S60 T5 finished in second place owing to its stunning "coupe-like" design, comfortable cabin, and smooth engine. We previously had a long-term S60 T6

which was a reliable road trip favorite. A 2013 S60 T5 currently resides in the Motor Trend Garage and is well-loved.

For 2013 Volvo has made all-wheel drive an available option on the base T5. The R-Design model also gets some tweaks, including larger front brakes, and heated rear seats.

New for 2013

For 2013 Volvo expands the availability of all-wheel drive on the S60, making it available across the lineup. The S60 T5 also gets engine revisions to improve performance. The S60 T6 R-Design also gets a few revisions for 2013, including bigger front brakes, new safety tech, and comfort features like heated rear seats.

Key Competitors

• Audi A4
• Cadillac ATS
• BMW 3 Series
• Lexus IS
• Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Sum Up

A standout sedan deserving of more recognition.