Makes›Volvo›S60›2016

2016 Volvo S60

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.

Volvo S60
Pictured: Volvo S60 (3rd generation) IMG 8468. Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Compact Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan T5/T6 AWD, 4dr Sedan T5/T6 FWD, Cross Country 4dr Sedan
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 5-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
30 combined · 26 city / 37 hwy
Length
182.7 in
Curb weight
3,655–3,874 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 26 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2016 Volvo S60 is a compact car offered with 3 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 5-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 183 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,856 lb (4dr Sedan T5/T6 AWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 30 MPG combined (26 city / 37 highway), 13% better than the 2016 compact car average of 26.6 MPG, for an estimated $2,250 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2016

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2015 S60 — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 S60 →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan T5/T6 AWD182.7 in73.6 in58.3 in109.4 in62.6 / 62.6 in3,856 lb62/38
4dr Sedan T5/T6 FWD182.7 in73.6 in58.3 in109.4 in62.6 / 62.6 in3,655 lb62/38
Cross Country 4dr Sedan182.7 in73.6 in60.6 in109.4 in63.8 / 62.2 in3,874 lb62/38

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
S60 FWD2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)Front-Wheel Drive26 / 37 / 30+13%$2,250296
S60 Inscription FWD2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)Front-Wheel Drive25 / 37 / 29+9%$2,300308
S60 FWD2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)Front-Wheel Drive23 / 32 / 27+2%$3,050334
S60 AWD2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 25-6%$3,300355
S60 Inscription AWD2.5L 5-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 23-14%$2,900378
S60 AWD2.5L 5-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 23-14%$2,900378
S60 CC AWD2.5L 5-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 23-14%$2,900383
S60 AWD3.0L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive18 / 27 / 21-21%$3,200412
S60 PoleStar AWD3.0L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive18 / 27 / 21-21%$3,200412
7/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
7/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
26.6 MPG2016 Compact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2016 Volvo S60.

Similar 2016 compact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2016 Volvo S60 (this car)30 MPGNot rated4
2016 BMW 3 Series35 MPGNot rated0
2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class23 MPGNot rated0
2016 Lexus IS26 MPGNot rated0
2016 Audi A427 MPGNot rated3
2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class30 MPGNot rated0
2016 Audi A339 MPGNot rated6

Recalls (4)

Seat Belts › Front · Jun 30, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V378000 · 308,260 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.
Risk
An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch · Nov 26, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V849000 · 144,937 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Car of USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2011-2017 S60, S60I, V60, S60CC and V60CC vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Risk
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89978.
Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly · Nov 2, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V798000 · 74,027 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 XC90, S90, XC60, V60 Cross Country, V60, S60 Cross Country, S60, and S60 Inscription vehicles manufactured February 16, 2015, to August 22, 2016. On the affected vehicles, the front passenger seat belt buckle attaching stud may loosen, allowing the buckle to separate from the seat belt bracket. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages" and number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Risk
If the seat belt buckle separates from the bracket, the front seat passenger may not be adequately restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front passenger seat belt buckle stud, replacing the seat belt buckle as needed, free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89708.
Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses And Circuit Breakers · Sep 2, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V555000 · 7,855 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 Volvo S60, V60, V60CC, XC60, XC70, and S80 vehicles manufactured April 8, 2015 to August 19, 2015. In certain driving conditions when using the automatic engine stop/start function, the starter motor fuse may blow, preventing the car from restarting when necessary.
Risk
If the vehicle is unexpectedly unable to be started in the middle of traffic, such as when stopped at an intersection, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Fix
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing starter motor fuse with a higher amperage fuse, free of charge. The recall began on October 26, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552 or by visiting http://volvo.custhelp.com. Volvo's number for this recall is R39574.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2016 Volvo S60 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

29Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
1Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
33,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine11
Electrical System5
Unknown Or Other4
Structure › Body3
Visibility/Wiper3
Seat Belts3
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Wheels2
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
15/12: 116/01: 117/04: 117/07: 118/09: 118/11: 119/04: 119/09: 120/01: 120/03: 320/05: 120/07: 120/09: 320/11: 121/01: 121/05: 121/11: 122/08: 122/09: 123/04: 123/06: 124/08: 124/10: 126/10: 215/1217/0719/0420/0320/0921/0522/0924/08max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2016 Volvo S60 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Engine — 11 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  3. Electrical System — 5 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Structure › Body — 3 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 33,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2016 Volvo S60. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other S60 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2025 S6031188.2 inNot rated30
2024 S6031188.2 inNot rated422
2023 S6031188.2 inNot rated73
2022 S6031187.4 inNot rated415
2021 S6030187.4 inNot rated38
2020 S6030187.4 inNot rated612
2019 S6031187.4 inNot rated525
2018 S6029182.7 in★★★★★14
2017 S6029182.7 in★★★★★618
2015 S6029182.3 inNot rated260
2014 S6024182.3 inNot rated321
2013 S6024182.3 inNot rated477

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volvo. How we calculate this →