Volvo S60 review: The executive saloon that proved less is more

Join us as we take a closer look at the Volvo S60, the executive saloon that proved a proper saloon could still hold its own

Yes, SUVs are all the rage — but sometimes, nothing beat a proper saloon. And the Volvo S60 was one of the best executive saloons you could lease.

Volvo has since stopped making the S60 to focus on their SUV lineup, and while deals are no longer available, the S60 remains a car worth knowing about. It faced some stiff competition in a segment that saw a serious electric shake-up, and it held its own throughout.

So how did it hold up? And is it still worth tracking down on the second-hand market?

Here's everything you need to know.

What we drove:

Model: Volvo S60 Inscription Plus T5 Auto

Power: 250bhp

Fuel: Petrol

Engine: 2.0-litre

Transmission: Automatic FWD

Colour: Pine Grey

Body: Saloon

Or watch our video review over on YouTube:

Clean lines and a timeless Scandi stance

The Volvo S60 was the epitome of Scandi style — clean, restrained lines with no unnecessary aggression. While rivals in the executive saloon class veered into the overtly showy, the S60 let its proportions do the talking.

Around the front, Volvo's signature Thor's Hammer LED headlights made it instantly recognisable. It was a design detail that became a house trademark, and on the S60, it sat perfectly within a front end that was composed without being bland.

The saloon proportions were spot on too.

A long, gently sloping roofline gave the S60 a genuinely elegant silhouette. One that looked properly premium without trying too hard.

It was the automotive equivalent of a well-cut suit: Understated, but you noticed it.

We drove the Inscription Plus trim which came with a gloss grille with chrome inserts, chrome window surrounds, dual integrated exhaust pipes and 18-inch 10-spoke alloys. It was a real beauty.

Scandi minimalism, maximum comfort

Step inside and the cabin was immediately impressive — clean, high-quality, and refreshingly unfussy. Nothing flashy, nothing unnecessary.

Soft leather upholstery, gloss finishes, and metal mesh inlays made everything feel properly premium. Even the steering wheel had that solid, well-weighted feel that told you this was a car built with care.

British winters were a (warm) breeze too with heated front and rear seats, and the extendable seat cushions were a thoughtful touch for longer legs.

The 9-inch vertical touchscreen dominated the dash and handled most of the car's functions, backed up by a 12.3-inch digital driver's display. It was an intuitive setup once you were familiar with it.

Rear passenger space was cosy rather than cramped; perfectly comfortable for two, though three across the back would have been a squeeze on longer journeys.

And with 442 litres of boot space, practicality wasn't something you'd be compromising on.

It comfortably swallowed a weekend's worth of luggage without complaint, though the boot floor felt a touch below the standard set by the rest of the cabin.

Refined, responsive, and genuinely fun

The Volvo S60 handled corners with ease, feeling planted and composed throughout — it was more engaging than you might have expected from an executive saloon.

Acceleration was smooth and satisfying, with no judder between gear changes. There was a slight lag when pushing from 50 to 70mph on the motorway; nothing that would have put you off, but worth knowing about. Stop-start traffic was handled effortlessly, and the S60 took uneven surfaces in its stride.

Visibility was good but not perfect; the small rear windscreen and larger pillars did create the odd blind spot. Worth noting there was no rear wiper either, relying on gravity alone to clear the screen.

Where the S60 really earned its safety credentials was with Intellisafe. Volvo's driver assistance suite covered blind spot recognition, steering assistance, cross traffic alerts, and autobraking.

The blind spot system in particular stood out, flagging vehicles well before they actually entered your blind spot. For a car of its generation, it still felt impressively capable.

What's good, and what's not

The Volvo S60 still had its flaws though:

What's good:

• Heated seats, extendable cushions
• Handled well, composed and engaging
• Intellisafe — particularly the blind spot system
• Genuine boot practicality (442 litres)
• Petrol and PHEV options

What's not:

• Motorway lag (50-70mph)
• Three across the back is a squeeze
• No rear wiper

What's the verdict?

The Volvo S60 had years of reliability behind it — and it showed. It felt genuinely premium inside and out, without the inflated price tag that followed many of its newer competitors.

Volvo's safety reputation was well-earned, and the S60 was no exception. And while discontinuation has made it a rarer sight on UK roads, that scarcity has only added to its appeal.

Top five reasons to consider the Volvo S60:

1. Timeless Scandi design that still looks premium
2. A composed, confidence-inspiring drive
3. Volvo's Intellisafe safety suite — still class-leading
4. Premium cabin quality without the newer-model price tag
5. Petrol and PHEV options to suit different needs

Would we recommend leasing a Volvo S60?

Back in the day, absolutely — but with Volvo now focusing on their SUV lineup, the S60 is no longer available to lease new.

If you loved the idea of the S60, the good news is it's available on the second-hand market. And if you're open to something new from Volvo, their current SUV range carries that same Scandi quality and safety pedigree forward.