2012 Volvo S60 Earns Five-Star NHTSA Rating

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently announced that the 2012 Volvo S60 earned the organization's top crash rating: a five star combined crash score. Last year, NHTSA adopted more stringent guidelines and rigorous testing practices, making it tougher for vehicles to garner the five-star designation. 

The Volvo S60's composite score was composed of five stars across the board: It earned a five in frontal, rollover, side pole and side barrier crashes. Volvo's midsize sedan is the eighth vehicle to be awarded NHTSA's highest combined star rating for the 2012 model year. Other five-star vehicles include the Cadillac CTS, Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Sonic, Saab 9-4X, Toyota Camry and Volkswagen Passat. 

The organization plans to test 74 vehicles for the 2012 model year, including 22 SUVs, eight pickup trucks and two minivans.

Cars.com Family Reviews the 2012 Volvo S60

Volvo’s 2012 S60 proves that safety-minded cars don’t have to be boring, according to Cars.com Family contributor Courtney Messenbaugh. With its low roofline and curvy, compact body, the S60 is a good-looking midsize sedan. Its sporty styling continues on the inside, but it hampers the five-seater’s ability to handle three child-safety seats in the second row.

2012 Volvo S60 Review

Recall Alert: 2006-2012 Volvo C70, 2011-2012 Volvo S60

Volvo is recalling about 7,000 2006-12 C70 convertibles and roughly 12,600 2011-12 S60 midsize sedans — the recently redesigned model — because the optional spare tire kit has incorrect label information, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In the affected cars, there are incorrect tire and loading information labels, according to Volvo. The misinformation can lead to improper tire inflation and result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.

Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will install a correct label, when necessary. For more info, owners can call Volvo at 201-768-7300 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.

2012 Volvo Lineup: Ch-Ch-Changes

For the 2012 model year, Volvo has discontinued the S40 and V50, which reported in an earlier post. The Swedish automaker is also no longer offering any V-8s across its lineup after the company axed its sole V-8 engine in the XC90 for 2012. V-8s were once offered in the S80 and XC90.

Overall, most models get more standard features and new trim offerings while maintaining similar prices to last year’s models.

Recall Alert: 2012 Volvo S60

Volvo is recalling 448 S60 sedans from the 2012 model year over a fault with the fuel system, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Due to an improperly manufactured fuel link quick connector, the fuel line may detach from the engine. Vehicles that experience this will end up stalling, increasing the risk of a crash. Customers may also notice fuel smells or leakage, which could result in a car fire. This issue is separate from another fuel system defect we reported on earlier this month.

Volvo will replace the fuel lines free of charge. The recall begins this month. For additional info, owners can call Volvo at 201-768-7300 or NHTSA’s hotline at 888-327-4236.

Recall Alert: 2012 Volvo S60

Volvo is recalling 7,558 S60 sedans — the recently redesigned model — because the engine may hesitate or stall, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In the affected vehicles, the software for the fuel pump may not be compatible with all fuel pumps and their components. As a result, fuel may not sufficiently transfer in the pump unit. If this happens, the engine may hesitate or stall even though the fuel gauge shows the tank at one-quarter full.

The vehicles affected by the recall are equipped with five-cylinder engines and were built between Nov. 18, 2010, and May 5. You can check the vehicle’s build date on a sticker on the driver-side doorjamb.

The recall is expected to begin June 17. Dealers will upgrade the engine control module software for free. For more info, owners can call Volvo at 201-768-7300 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.

Volvo Boosts Power With R-Design S60, XC60

Volvo is increasing the power in the R-Design-trimmed S60 and XC60 for the 2012 model year. Both vehicles now have a power rating of 325 horsepower and 354 pounds-feet of torque. The turbocharged inline-six-cylinder in both models is the same one found on each trim’s T6 model, but here the engine produces an additional 25 horsepower to better match the sporting aspirations of the more expensive R-Design trim level.

Each model comes with standard all-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission. The S60 R-Design will have a starting price of $42,275 and the XC60 R-Design will start at $43,150 when they both go on sale this summer.

The R-Design trim is new for the second-generation S60; the last time it was available on the model was in 2007. It's essentially a sportier, more aggressive-looking S60 T6. The suspension has been lowered on the model, and the chassis has been stiffened with a front strut brace and rear monotube dampers.

Exterior changes on the S60 include a new lowered front end design. The rear bumper gets the same treatment. Unique 18-inch alloy wheels and dual exhaust designs are also included. On the inside, there are front seats with larger bolsters and unique color combinations.

We already thought the S60 T6 had enough performance for the casual driver for a lower starting price of $37,700. It’ll be interesting to see whether these changes can help the model better compete with the BMW 3-Series for performance buyers.

Check out our shots of the two models from the New York International Auto Show. Tell us in the comment section below if you think the changes are worth the cash.

2011-12 Volvo S60 Earns IIHS Top Safety Pick

The 2011-12 Volvo S60 received the Top Safety Pick designation in the midsize luxury/near-luxury category from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

To earn the award, a vehicle must receive the top rating of Good in front, side, rear and rollover crash tests. The vehicle also must have electronic stability control, which is standard on the S60.

Measurements taken during the S60’s testing show a low risk of significant injury in a 40-mph frontal-offset crash. Head movement was well-controlled during the crash — reducing the possibility of a neck injury. During side-impact testing, the driver’s and rear passenger’s heads were protected from the 3,300-pound deformable barrier traveling at 31 mph (shown above).

To pass IIHS’ roof-strength test, a vehicle’s roof must be able to withstand the force of four times the vehicle’s weight.

The S60 can withstand 4.95 times its own weight. The 2005-09 Volvo S60 also had Good ratings in front and rear crash tests, but it only had the second-best Acceptable rating in the side crash test. The previous model did not go through the roof-strength test.

The S60 joins four other Top Safety Picks from Volvo, the XC60, XC90, C30 and S80.

Volvo S60 Gets New, Cheaper Base Trim

Volvo said its redesigned Volvo S60 would get a more affordable version when the car first went on sale in September with just a top-of-the-line trim available. This month, the automaker delivered on that promise with a new 2012 base model that sucks nearly $7,000 out of the sedan’s original asking price.

The new 2012 T5 trim starts at $30,975, excluding an $875 destination fee; that’s $450 less than what Volvo originally quoted for the model.

Cars.com Reviews the 2011 Volvo S60

Volvo calls its newest compact sedan “the naughty Volvo” because it's sporty to drive and exciting to look at — I guess that tells you a bit about Volvo's overall self-esteem as it relates to the rest of its lineup. Claims are one thing, but out on the open road, the S60 is a solid performer, according to Cars.com senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder. The Volvo has a rich-looking interior, but the backseat is fairly snug. The Volvo also features some new, fancy safety technology, including the Swedish automaker’s new City Safety and Pedestrian Detection system. But this new safety system is where this agile Volvo starts acting, well, naughty.

2011 Volvo S60 Review