2007 Volvo S60 – A closer look at two brothers
2007 Volvo S60 2.5 T
The S60 from Volvo is perhaps the most prototypical European sedan that we can think of. It sits firmly in the mid-sized category and brings with its contemporary design, a strong engine, and confident interiors.
Yes, we say confidently because the car feels like it. It is sturdy in every aspect and there isn’t much to complain about. The car’s base trims the 2007 Volvo S60 2.5T is just about great in every small detail. As a part of the mid-sized 2007 Volvo S60 line up the base 2.5T model does everything quite well.
Design
In typical Volvo fashion, the 2007 Volvo S60’s design remains constant throughout the lineup, only in the ethos, of course. The upper-end S60 R’s design is different as we will learn later. 2007 Volvo S60 2.5T is a refined car.
The Volvo S60 has been made sportier for 2007. The front has been designed to keep it swooped and lower. The grille is also larger and the ever-present sash and logo look better than ever. The car looks elegant and the elongated rectangular look is brilliant. It suits the car’s demeanor well, after all, it is a Volvo.
The rear is squared off and the taper from the roofline to the spoiler gives the car a sporty edge without making the car look awkward. The wheels look particularly great on the car, giving it a great appeal.
Interiors
The car’s Swedish disposition is clearly visible here. The cabin is suave and functional. However, the soft cloth option does not necessarily lend the same appeal that the leather ones do. The optional Dolby Surround Sound system also gives the car’s acoustics a much-needed upgrade. The buttons are smooth to touch and use, with none of the tacky plastic feeling touch here.
The space inside the 2007 Volvo S60 2.5T is great for five passengers, however, the car gives the front preferential treatment. The front seats are orthopedically designed and you will sink right in. No amount of long journey or twisty roads will tire you when you are driving this car. The rear feels a little crampy in comparison. Legroom is smaller in the back and taller passengers will feel the brunt of this.
We must compliment the wood used in the dash, the aluminum in the steering wheel, and the materials used for other surfaces.
Performance
2007 Volvo S60 is by no means a slouch, the car’s 2.5-liter in-line cylinder engine provides plenty of power. The engine churns out 208 bhp and 236 lb-ft of torque. The 2.5T’s all-wheel drive is complimented well by the five-speed automatic transmission. While the 2007 Volvo S60 2.5T specs might not suggest that the car is a performance beast, it will surprise you.
Driving
You will find that the Volvo S60 has been designed to give you comfort. It is not the car if you want pure performance. The car still offers adequate power but you won’t be winning any races with it. The car can still overtake with ease and you can throw it on a corner and still have tons of grip. The car is composed and firm, yet you might feel a little more should have been there. The 2007 Volvo S60 handles well, however, you can feel some bumps on bad roads.
If you wish for a comfortable car to drive, this is it. The Volvo S60 is the vehicle for those drivers that do want to get from point A to B without effort. For a more driver-friendly vehicle, the S60 R should be your target.
Safety
The car is perhaps the best sedan in the segment when it comes to safety features. Volvos are known for their safety and the 2007 Volvo S60 reliability is top-notch. You get both active and passive safety features. The car’s rigid safety cage is the industry standard and you will get ample protection from both frontal and side impacts. The IIHS rates the car as “good” which is the highest rating they give to cars.
The car comes equipped with ABS, front and full-length curtain airbags, submarine seats with restraints to reduce whiplash. It also gets traction control and rear parking assist. For 2007, the gadgetry is plenty and the car is adequately well protected. This is just for the base 2007 Volvo S60 2.5T model.
2007 Volvo S60 R
The S60 R is an improvement over the standard S60 2.5T and hence you get some additions to the car which are subtle and some which are not.
New engine
2007 Volvo S60 R is the top-of-the-line trim in the S60 range. You get a beefier engine, which delivers a neater 300 bhp, courtesy of a 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine. The S60 R is rear-wheel drive, which has been presumably made so that the car accelerates faster, and works. The S60 R can do a 0-60 in 5.4 seconds. There is an option between a six-speed manual and an automatic, we suggest the manual transmission as the car feels much better to drive.
Longer nose, better drive
2007 Volvo S60 R is slightly different from the base model. The biggest noticeable change is the longer nose and the smaller grille. There is also a bigger air dam and two very mean looking side grilles. The idea is that the air intake scoops can feed the turbo and intercoolers. The car is also lower than the standard S60.
Driving
The lower positioning of the car helps improve the drive. You can also select different firmness of the ride through the adaptive suspension. The car feels so much better to drive. The 2007 Volvo S60 R is vastly different from the base model car. Despite the slightly oddball numbers, the car is a pleasure to drive. The brakes are also very firm and the stopping power is brilliant. The engine grunts and gives out a whizz as you step on the throttle. And the suspension makes driving a pleasure.
The car allows you to manage the engine and chassis by using three different settings, Comfort, Sport, and Advanced. The three settings help adjust the shock stiffness and engine management to give you a different ride setting, with each mode. The tech under this car is great and it is something you will only notice once you drive it.
In conclusion
The 2007 Volvo S60 is a car that is akin to a cloud. Once you step inside the cabin you will see that it was built to provide comfort and not in a wrap yourself in leather kind of way but functionally. The ergonomics in the car are great and the practicality is seamless. The Volvo S60 is the kind of car you want to buy when all you are looking for is ease. For those that want the ease and a little fun on the side, the elder 2007 Volvo S60 R is the way to go.
