DecodedCars2020 Volvo S60
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.
- Class
- Compact Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 250–316 hp
- Transmission
- 8-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Plug-in Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 30 combined · 28 city / 34 hwy
- Length
- 187.4 in
- Curb weight
- 3,664 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 6 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Plug-in hybrid version availableOffered as a plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
- 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 2). Confirm repairs with the VIN.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 33 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2020 Volvo S60 is a compact car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 187 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,664 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 30 MPG combined (28 city / 34 highway), 10% better than the 2020 compact car average of 27.3 MPG, for an estimated $2,750 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.
What changed for 2020
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2019 S60 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2019; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2019 S60 →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2020 S60 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan | 187.4 in | 72.8 in | 56.3 in | 113 in | 63 / 63 in | 3,664 lb | 56/44 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S60 AWD PHEV Plug-in Hybrid | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 28 / 33 / 30 | +10% | $2,750 | 155 |
| S60 FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 34 / 27 | -1% | $3,050 | 322 |
| S60 AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 32 / 25 | -8% | $3,300 | 352 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2020 Volvo S60.
Similar 2020 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Volvo S60 (this car) | 30 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2020 BMW 3 Series | 30 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2020 BMW 5 Series | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Lexus IS | 24 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Audi A4 | 30 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2020 Tesla Model 3 | 330 mi | ★★★★★ | 21 |
| 2020 Audi A6 | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 9 |
Recalls (6)
Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery · Mar 24, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V179000 · 7,483 vehicles
- Problem
- Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2020-2021 S90, 2020-2022 S60, V60, XC60, XC90, and 2022 V90 plug-in hybrid vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module when the battery is fully charged and the vehicle is parked.
- Risk
- A short circuit in a high-voltage battery increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the high-voltage battery module as necessary. In addition, dealers will update the software to monitor the battery. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 28, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10312.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals And Linkages · Oct 23, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V788000 · 291 vehicles
- Problem
- Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2020 S60, V60, S90I, XC60 and XC90 hybrid vehicles. The pushrod screw joint, connecting to the brake pedal to the hydraulic brake unit, may be loose.
- Risk
- A loose brake pedal can result in a loss of braking function, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will tighten the brake pedal pushrod screw joint, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 17, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10289.
Air Bags › Frontal · Nov 21, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V780000 · 346 vehicles
- Problem
- Volvo Car USA, LLC. (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2024 S60 vehicles. The passenger air bag may not be secured properly, which can cause the air bag to deploy improperly.
- Risk
- An air bag that does not deploy properly in a crash increases the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts securing the passenger air bag, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 5, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10254.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Jun 2, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V414000 · 85,550 vehicles
- Problem
- Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2020 V90, XC60, S60, V60, V60CC, S90, V90CC, S90L, and XC90 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump can blow a fuse and fail.
- Risk
- Failure of the low-pressure fuel pump can cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 2, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10100.
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.
Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking · Mar 12, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V144000 · 121,605 vehicles
- Problem
- Volvo Cars USA LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2019-2020 S60, V60, V60 Cross Country, S90L, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC40, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. Due to a software/hardware incompatibility, the Automatic Emergency Brake (AEB) system may not detect obstacles and engage as intended.
- Risk
- If the automatic emergency braking system does not engage as intended, it can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the Active Safety Domain Master (ASDM) software, 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 R29998.
Not every 2020 Volvo S60 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2020 Volvo S60 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Service Brakes — 5 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Electrical System — 4 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Steering — 3 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 16,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2020 Volvo S60. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other S60 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 S60 | 31 | 188.2 in | Not rated | 3 | 0 |
| 2024 S60 | 31 | 188.2 in | Not rated | 4 | 22 |
| 2023 S60 | 31 | 188.2 in | Not rated | 7 | 3 |
| 2022 S60 | 31 | 187.4 in | Not rated | 4 | 15 |
| 2021 S60 | 30 | 187.4 in | Not rated | 3 | 8 |
| 2019 S60 | 31 | 187.4 in | Not rated | 5 | 25 |
| 2018 S60 | 29 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 4 |
| 2017 S60 | 29 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 18 |
| 2016 S60 | 30 | 182.7 in | Not rated | 4 | 29 |
| 2015 S60 | 29 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 2 | 60 |
| 2014 S60 | 24 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 3 | 21 |
| 2013 S60 | 24 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 4 | 77 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volvo. How we calculate this →