2002 Volvo S60 Review and Specs

Summary

What Edmunds.com says

Is it an elegant luxury sedan or a sleek sport sedan? Surprise, it's both.

Pros

Long list of standard safety features, luxurious interior, powerful turbocharged engine in top-line T5 model, deceptively quick 2.4T powerplant, available all-wheel drive.

Cons

Handling lacks true sport-sedan precision, expensive optional equipment, torque steer in the T5 model.

What's New for 2002

The big news is the arrival of the S60 2.4T AWD and its slick electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system. Additionally, all S60 models get Emergency Brake Assistance (EBA), enhanced traction control performance and improved throttle management, resulting in quicker response in everyday driving situations. Volvo's Dynamic Stability Traction Control (DSTC) system is now standard in T5 models and optional for the 2.4T AWD (starting in December 2001). Other model-specific changes include satellite controls on the steering wheel and rear cupholders for the base 2.4 model and a memory function for the power seats and mirrors in 2.4T and T5 models. The entire lineup gets revised rear headrests, ISO-FIX child restraint attachment points and an emergency trunk release handle.

Consumer Ratings & Reviews

so NOT for life!

Written by: DL on 10/20/2009

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating


Performance:	7	Fun-to-Drive:	7	Build Quality:	1
Comfort:	9	Interior Design:	5	Reliability:	1
Fuel Economy:	7	Exterior Design:	1

Vehicle

2002 Volvo S60 2.4T Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.4L 5cyl Turbo 5A)

Review

I will never set foot in a Volvo dealership again. First, an acorn cracked the windshield. My husband would NEVER have believed me if he had not been driving the car when it happened. Light bulbs have failed the entire 81,000 miles (I have lost count), gas door fell off, starter replaced TWICE (service says it may have more to do with the solenoid valve), oil pan is shot, car leaks oil. It is currently sitting in my driveway because it will not start for me to unload it on a trade.

Favorite Features

Smooth ride when light bulbs work and nothing is falling off of it.

Suggested Improvements

Go back to the drawing board Volvo and put some quality back into your product. You lost me for LIFE and I work in a large company and have heard how many MORE you are losing!!!

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Very Good Vehicle

Written by: GP on 10/03/2009


Performance:	7	Fun-to-Drive:	7	Build Quality:	7
Comfort:	9	Interior Design:	8	Reliability:	8
Fuel Economy:	7	Exterior Design:	7

2002 Volvo S60 2.4 Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.4L 5cyl 5M)

I've had the car about 8 months. So far very reliable. It wants to run. Very, very comfortable car with great front seats. Stereo is excellent, climate controls intuitive. I've always had 5-speeds in sedans, but this automatic has me converted with its performance. The 5-cylinder is a good compromise of performance and economy. I'm getting 28 mpg [25 mile commute, cruising at 70 mph] with ample reserve power when needed.

The seats. I wish my recliner were as supportive and comfortable.

Rear visibility is poor making backing out of parking spaces a challenge. Truck has good volume but high lift-over with the short deck lid making getting bulkier items into trunk impossible.

Find a good mechanic

Written by: Mike on 09/01/2009


Performance:	5	Fun-to-Drive:	8	Build Quality:	1
Comfort:	8	Interior Design:	1	Reliability:	3
Fuel Economy:	4	Exterior Design:	3

A fun car to drive, but with 85,000 miles I've had my list of problems. With extreme heat (like in Las Vegas) expect the "wood" interior paneling to peel off. Fuel cap door, like many other posts have said, will break. Don't bother fixing it....it will break again. Headlights, buy them in bulk because you will replace them every couple months. Dropped a pretty penny on struts, tires and brakes, but that is my fault for buying a used car without getting it checked out by a mechanic first. New battery, fuel pump, and fuel filter, and it still won't start until you try it a couple times. 20 mpg isn't quite what I had expected from a sedan.

It doesn't look like every other car on the road.

$100 for a new battery, $800 for a new fuel pump and filter, $3,000 for new struts, brakes and tires....owning a luxury car for three years, priceless!

a good allround car

Written by: mark on 08/30/2009


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	10	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	10	Exterior Design:	10

I bought the 2002 s60 base model in 2003. This is by far the best vehicle I have ever owned. VERY SAFE! I worked for years in a trauma room and wanted a safe car and this is it. VERY comfortable too. Most comfy seats of ANY car! performance is fine for a comfort sedan, but its not a BMW, ppl! If u want a BMW sports car, but it. This is a comfort/safety car. VERY reliable. 6 years and NO problems! Upgraded foglights and headlights (replaced crappy ones with xenon). Luxurious, thick leather! Smooth, comfy ride. Feel safe, which u should in a volvo. Expensive maintenance, but well worth it. I am VERY happy with this. DO NOT buy the Turbo, u lose LOTS reselling it cuz they know u hotrodded it

the SEATS! and leather, HUGE trunk, very smartly designed dash buttons.

volvo should have used xenon lights from the start, not these standard crappy ones. Needs a bit more HP. Glad they upped it in new models. But thats all. Great car!

Great Car For The Money!

Written by: dingo686 on 08/25/2009


Performance:	7	Fun-to-Drive:	8	Build Quality:	8
Comfort:	9	Interior Design:	7	Reliability:	9
Fuel Economy:	7	Exterior Design:	10

I have put 30k miles on mine and these are my impressions so far at 80K miles. I used to be a Honda guy but when I couldn't find a used one at a descent price I drove this car and boy am I glad I did. These cars have all the reliability of the Japanese cars but better fit and finish and quality. Just open and shut the doors of this car and you'll know what I'm talking about. Only problem I've had with this car is the fuel pump cracked but it is a recall item so I took it to the dealer and they replaced it no charge. I have replaced one daytime running lamp and the oil and that's it. To me you get the looks, feel, most of the peppiness and quality of a BMW 3 series but at half the price.

Roomy interior: I am 6'5 and the front seats give the most leg room of any 4 door I've sat in. Plus high headrests assure no severe whiplash if you get rear ended. Peppy Engine: you won't win any drag races but it will get up and go and have power to pass with ease at highway speeds. Fun To Drive

Visibility because of the high headrests. Large turning radius. No leg room for rear passengers. Space between the Accelerator pedal and the Brake pedal needs to be bigger. If you wear wide-soled shoes you can catch both at the same time.

2002 Volvo S60 Consumer Ratings & Reviews