Volvo S60 II (Y20) (2010 – 2018)

Reliability score : 7.6/10

The second-generation Volvo S60 (Y20) marks a major stylistic turning point for the Swedish manufacturer, abandoning cubic lines for a very dynamic four-door coupé profile. Based on the P3 platform (shared with Ford), it stands out for its exceptional ride comfort, some of the best seats on the market, and a cutting-edge safety arsenal (City Safety as standard). Range evolution: - 2010-2013 (Phase 1): Engines sourced from Ford (4-cylinder petrol), PSA (1.6 diesel), and Volvo (5-cylinder and 6-cylinder) parts bins. - 2013 (Facelift): New front end (one-piece headlights), digital gauges, multimedia improvements. - 2014-2018: Mechanical revolution with the introduction of the 100% Volvo VEA (Drive-E) engine family (4-cylinder 2.0L petrol and diesel) coupled with an excellent Aisin 8-speed aut

✅ Strengths

High-level suspension comfort and sound insulation
Front seats among the most ergonomic in automotive production
Passive and active safety (City Safety, BLIS, highly refined adaptive cruise control)
Enjoyment and sound of 5-cylinder engines (diesel and petrol)
Excellent 8-speed Geartronic automatic gearbox (on post-2014 VEA engines)
Paint quality and corrosion resistance

⚠️ Weaknesses

Rear passenger space and boot volume (380 liters) unworthy of the category
Powershift dual-clutch automatic gearbox (on 1.6D and 1.6/2.0T Ford) unreliable and unpleasant
Very large turning radius (especially with 18/19-inch wheels)
Aging and unintuitive Sensus infotainment system (many buttons on the center console)
High weight penalizing agility compared to a BMW 3 Series

🎯 Verdict

The Volvo S60 II is an extremely endearing sedan, built to cover miles in supreme comfort. For diesel, the choice of engine is crucial. If you're looking for character and raw robustness, opt for a 5-cylinder (D3, D4, or D5 from before 2014) with a manual or Geartronic 6 gearbox, provided that accessory belt maintenance is impeccable. If you prioritize modernity, fuel consumption, and smoothness, the 4-cylinder VEA (D3, D4 post-2015) coupled with the Geartronic 8 gearbox are excellent, but avoid the 2014-2015 model years (EGR and piston ring issues). Absolutely to avoid: All versions equipped with the Powershift automatic gearbox (often associated with the 1.6 D2 or 1.6 petrol T3/T4).