Used 2006 Volvo S60 Sedan Consumer Reviews
Used S60 for sale
Expensive to run but mediocre
Driver, 12/30/2018
2006 Volvo S60 2.5T 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 5cyl Turbo 5A)
9 of 15 people found this review helpful
I don't recommend this car because while it is good in some aspects, it's bad in others such as reliability of some components and very expensive to maintain and insure. Unless you are a Volvo fan and want a second car just for fun, I do not recommend these cars for main drivers, first time drivers, or college students just because of the cost and the uncertainty of what you might have to fix. The AWD is excellent as far as I can tell, and the safety tech of side airbags and anti whiplash seats and head restraints and the emergency brake assist are neat, though not as impressive anymore in 2006. The turbo does add some discernible torque. The front seats are super comfortable, but the back seats are OK. I like the smart design where the center console lid opens into small tables/extra cupholders. Some interior materials feel nice and interior controls have some smart designs. Downsides are pretty bad gas mileage especially in the city, 18 MPH, which a minivan can beat. Also, the interior tends to develop rattles and squeaks and wears out despite it's high quality appearance. Technology is nowhere to be seen, especially for a "luxury" vehicle. There is no aux jack, only one 12v power socket in the front and none in the center console, the automatic climate control system feels dated, and so on. The design didn't change much from the first model years so it's disappointing in 2006 when many other vehicles have this technology. The turning radius is pretty bad, and the steering wheel needs much more input to avoid potholes for example. The car is missing some safety tech for the year especially because it is supposed to be a Volvo. For example, electronic stability control and tire pressure monitoring is not standard. Neither is an autodimming mirror. And the design of the car means the back window and side mirrors aren't as big as they could be, and the anti whiplash head restraints block a lot of the rear window. The back seats don't have a lot of legroom at all. The drivers seat can be adjusted far enough backwards so a child's leg can't fit in the space behind it. It seems that the backseat was an afterthought, but basically the car is not big enough for a family to comfortably travel in. The car has a few reliability issues of note. I heard T5 models have unreliable transmissions. However, I have the 2.5t AWD. Common problems are suspension issues with fragile struts, and my car occasionally does creak. Also, the engine is a 5 cylinder and I read that by design they will vibrate more and require a complex motor mount system to absorb vibrations from the cabin. Well, on most of these cars the motor mounts will be shot and a good amount of vibration can be felt in the cabin which is really uncomfortable and gets old. It feels like you're riding in a Model T! And there is a design flaw I've heard of but I haven't experienced it where there is a PVC system in the car that is designed weirdly by Volvo which can get clogged up and cause engine problems. This might matter only to those on a tight budget, but from an extended outlook point of view, this car has a turbo and they do go bad after a while. Other cars might just be more reliable. I am not a mechanic but just wanted to mention it, but my point is that despite the age of the design of this car, it is not a tried and true design and there is not a whole lot of info on the internet to truly decide it's reliability. However you can say that certain GM models for example are reliable because they are such an old design but they are known to have this or that problem because so many people owned one. So other cars are much easier to research and decide about their reliability. Also chances are that they will be cheaper to fix. The Volvo S60 however works in weird ways and you should find a good Volvo mechanic as not all mechanics are as versed in these cars. Plus it is expensive to fix and insure, more so than a BMW of the same age. I really like the AWD and some of the safety tech, but the handling isn't great and neither is the spaciousness, MPG, tech, reliability, cost of repairs, insurance, and "certainty" which a lot of cheaper domestic cars bring you. What I mean by certainty is that they are good, old designs for the most part and if something fails the neighborhood mechanic won't charge an arm and a leg for repairs, and insurance won't be exorbitant. If you are a Volvo fan and this is your second or third car, perhaps it will be OK and the problems I mentioned don't matter to you I'm sure, but if you depend on your single car and you don't have much money, I'm not sure if I would recommend these even if the value is dirt cheap for a seemingly fancy European car.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
sport tires to week
ben, 06/15/2006
2006 Volvo S60 2.5T 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl Turbo 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
The wife and I love the S60. It makes her feal special when she visits patients. We love the quality and the safety for us and our daughter. The sage green is a pretty color, not to flashy, but elegant. Car is comfortable for the three of us and can hold all of my wifes nursing supplies in the trunk. It is a rolling ambulance. The dash is clean and simple. The radio can blast METALICA very well. The sport tires are very week and are not worth the money. The seats are the most comfortable I have seet yet and I have driven Lexas, MB, BMW, and others. I am kind of round and they support me very well. Being Sweedish drew me to the car, but the comfort is what sold me.
2006 Volvo S60 for sale near you
Showing 3 of 22 listings
- 2.5T SedanMSRP: $5,999619 mi away
- 2.5T SedanMSRP: $3,495647 mi away
- 2.5T SedanMSRP: $8,4951,030 mi away
See all 22 listings
A Truly Great Car
Morris, 12/26/2008
2006 Volvo S60 T5 4dr Sedan (2.4L 5cyl Turbo 6M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I bought car new in June of 07. I am in the insurance business and us the car for work and pleasure. It gets great gas mileage as I get 31 MPG consistently at 70 MPH and combined city and highway mileage is 23 mph. It is the smoothest riding car I have owned, and that includes two Audis. All my friends love the ride and my wife drives it every chance she gets. We were so impressed with it we bought the Volvo SUV for our family car. I bought this car to last me a long time and it appears it will do so with style and economy.
Best Decision I Ever Made
Annette, 01/18/2007
2006 Volvo S60 2.5T 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl Turbo 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I compared many car models including Acura, Lexus, and Volvo and researched for months. Buying this Volvo was the best decision I ever made. Not only is the car sleek and sexy but it is amazingly fun to drive. It has the subtle and streamline sophistication that I love. My highway commute is about 30 miles per day one way and driving this car makes it so much more enjoyable. Wood trim in the interior is nicely done in a rich dark wood, leather is fine quality.
S60 Volvo 2.5T
Gemini, 05/28/2006
2006 Volvo S60 2.5T 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl Turbo 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
alot of fun to drive. Holds the road better than originally expected. Fuel economy is better than expected as well. 208 hp have plenty of power. The leather seats are very comfortable, especially on long drives. The sound system is awesome. The fold down seats are also a great feature.