Volvo S60 II (Y20) (2010 – 2018)

Reliability score : 7.4/10

The second-generation Volvo S60 (Y20) marked a radical departure from Volvo's traditional boxy styling, introducing a sleek, coupe-like silhouette. Positioned as a premium mid-size sedan to rival the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, it prioritized comfort, cutting-edge safety (introducing Pedestrian Detection), and refined driving dynamics over pure rear-wheel-drive sportiness. Its production span covers a complex transitional period for Volvo (moving from Ford ownership to Geely). Consequently, the engine lineup is highly fragmented, featuring Ford-sourced 4-cylinders, PSA-sourced diesels, classic Volvo 5- and 6-cylinders, and finally, Volvo's in-house 'Drive-E' (VEA) 4-cylinder architecture introduced during the 2013 facelift (MY2014). Reliability heavily depends on the

✅ Strengths

Class-leading front seats (unmatched comfort for long journeys)
Exceptional safety ratings and standard active safety features
Excellent sound quality from premium audio systems (Harman Kardon/Premium Sound)
Bulletproof reliability of the classic 5-cylinder and 6-cylinder engines
Timeless exterior design that has aged very well

⚠️ Weaknesses

Ford Powershift dual-clutch transmission on early 4-cylinder models is a major liability
Severe oil consumption issues on early Drive-E (VEA) engines (2014-2016)
Rear legroom and trunk space are below average for the segment
Large turning circle makes city parking cumbersome
Firm ride quality on R-Design models

🎯 Verdict

The Volvo S60 II is a fantastic, comfortable, and safe cruiser, but it requires careful engine selection. Avoid the early 1.6L and 2.0L Ford-sourced petrol engines if equipped with the automatic Powershift transmission. Be highly cautious of 2014-2016 Drive-E (VEA) 4-cylinder engines due to severe oil consumption and EGR issues. The best buys are the classic Volvo 5-cylinder diesels (D4/D5 - provided the aux belt is maintained), the 6-cylinder petrols (T6), or the late-model (2017-2018) Drive-E engines where the piston ring issues were resolved at the factory.