Jump to content
Create New...
  • William Maley
    William Maley

    Quick Drive: 2014 Volvo S60 T5 Premier Plus

      Saying Farewell To The Turbocharged Inline-Five

    Volvo is known for a few things: Safety, boxy designs, and wagons. Volvo also happens to be known for a specific engine, the T5. Introduced in the 850 in the mid-nineties, the T5 was a turbocharged and intercooled five-cylinder engine unbeknownst to the company, this engine in its various forms would go on to power a number of models and take number of race wins in Europe. The T5 engine would become part of a rarified company of engines that have long lives such as GM's 3800 V6 and Nissan's VQ engine family.

    But with all things, there has to be an end. Before too long, the T5 engine will be retired. In its place will be a new range of four-cylinder engines called Drive-E which will come turbocharged or turbo/supercharged to provide the performance of a bigger engine while getting the fuel economy of a smaller engine. So before Volvo retires the T5 from their lineup, I decided to take one last spin with it in a 2014 S60.

    Lets begin with the engine itself. The T5 in current Volvos is a 2.5L inline-five engine that makes about 250 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Volvo made some tweaks to the T5 last year which included new pistons, crankshaft, and engine management system to improve performance and drivability. This is paired to six-speed automatic that sends power to the front wheels. All-wheel drive is optional.

    2014 Volvo S60 T5 13

    While the T5 doesn’t have the same exuberance of the S60 T6 R-Design I drove last year, it has a couple of traits that make it a standout. For starters, the T5’s torque band is available from 1,800 to the peak of 4,200 rpm. This means the T5 provides very satisfying power from any speed. The six-speed automatic also deserves some credit here as well. It’s very responsive and isn’t so quick to upshift in a effort to improve fuel economy. Speaking of that, the 2014 S60 T5 is rated at 21 City/30 Highway/24 Combined. My week average landed around 24 MPG.

    This S60 came equipped with the optional sports package which includes eighteen-inch wheels and a dynamic chassis. The chassis is very stiff which makes the S60 a really fun vehicle to throw around in the corners as it provides limited body roll and excellent grip from the tires. It also means the S60 tends to communicate every single road imperfection. This is one of those times where I would say drive the sports package and standard model back to back to see whether or not you can stand the suspension tuning.

    Aside from the engine and suspension, not many things have changed since we last reviewed the S60. The front clip has been changed to feature a wider grille. Inside, the 2014 S60 has a new instrument cluster that can switch between three different modes to show varying amounts of information.

    Much like the Volvo S60 T6 R-Design, the S60 T5 is a sleeper among the compact luxury sedans. The T5 engine is the sweet spot as it provides almost the same power feeling as the T6 while delivering better fuel economy. Other traits such as the fun to drive nature are shared between the two. Like I said in the S60 T6 R-Design, if you don’t like to follow the leader, then the S60 deserves a closer look.

    As for the T5 engine, it’s amazing that it has lasted as long and been powering a number of Volvo’s vehicles throughout. Even more impressive is how much Volvo was able to improve the engine over time. While the end is near, Volvo has given the T5 something that very few automakers do; given it a swan song in the S60.

    Disclaimer: Volvo Provided the S60 T5, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas

    Year: 2014

    Make: Volvo

    Model: S60

    Trim: T5

    Engine: 2.5L Turbocharged Inline-Five with Intercooler

    Driveline: Six-Speed Automatic, Front-Wheel Drive

    Horsepower @ RPM: 250 @ 5,400

    Torque @ RPM: 266 @ 1,800 - 4,200

    Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 21/30/24

    Curb Weight: 3,528 lbs

    Location of Manufacture: Ghent, Belgium

    Base Price: $32,400.00

    As Tested Price: $38,715.00 (Includes $915.00 Destination Charge)

    Options:

    Premier Plus - $3,150.00

    Sport Package - $1,800.00

    Metallic Paint - $550.00

    Heated Front Seats - $500.00

    William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.


    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    It's getting a bit long in the tooth, but I still like the S60/V60 family very much... Had the pleasure of driving a few powertrain combinations in Sweden during my business travels there over the last 2 years, and I have to say it is still a very good automobile.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Wagon or Sedan? What would be the competition in your mind if you were allowed to pick from the field? Would you pick this over the others?

    I haven't seen the V60 in person yet.. Ask me later this summer as I'm working to try to get one for review.

    As for close competitors, I would say Audi A4, Lexus IS, and Buick Regal would be it. I would likely pick the S60 over the first two. Need to get behind the wheel of the Regal before I say which one I would have.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    I don't post on here very often but I figured I would when I saw this review. I just leased an S60 T5 Premier last week. It's a 2013 so there are a few differences but so far I really, really like the car. It's the first Volvo I've owned but it may not be the last! Great review.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    To put it in perspective, the Volvo 5 cylinder went in production at the same time as the Northstar V8. I guess it is somewhat impressive that it has lasted this long, but also you realize how dated it is also.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites



    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • google-news-icon.png



  • google-news-icon.png

  • Subscribe to Cheers & Gears

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001 we've brought you real content and honest opinions, not AI-generated stuff with no feeling or opinions influenced by the manufacturers.

    Please consider subscribing. Subscriptions can be as little as $1.75 a month, and a paid subscription drops most ads.*
     

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Similar Content

  • Posts

    • Those that cannot accept a multi-cultural world and immigration deserve to lose everything. I will stay professional, but believe that our North American Economy is about to get far worse over the long term than it is now. It is amazing how people do not seem to realize that the first two years of a new president is dealing with the ramifications of the last president. The high inflation was due to the failed policies of those before. We now have low unemployment and a strong economy. Will be interesting to see how it ends.
    • I say, let it get worse.  The people have spoken and this is what the MAJORITY voted for.  He even got the popular vote.  Therefore the people of America have spoken.   This is what they want.  This is what they feel comfortable with.   But I dont want to hear ANY whining from ANYBODY about what possibly may happen with him Him in power.  Fool me once,  shame on you!  Fool me twice, shame on me?   Technically this is how that saying goes.  But you never know. Maybe it really IS the lefty libtards that are the problem.   Hopefully it IS the lefty libtards that are the problem and the Messiah Trump will BE the solution to ALL of our problems.   I will be the first one to apologize if He actually does fix America's and Canada's problems.  And unite ALL of the world and the world gets to sing Kumbaya ALL in unison. Hopefully He is the next coming of Christ.   Keeping my fingers crossed but I aint holding my breath if you know what I mean.   
    • @oldshurst442 This pretty much sums up just how bad it is going to get. Trump's economic plans would worsen inflation, experts say | AP News
    • Not just iPhones... He tariffed Canadian wood the first time around as Pres and the prices of wood skyrocketed so American home builders bought American wood which was and is more expensive than Canadian wood.  I guess that is good for American wood producers. But for the fact that house prices also skyrocketed.  And considering that Canada and US have a more or less good trading thing going on...so not that good.  Not for the US and not good for Canada.  But Donald thinks otherwise. And all the folk that voted for him this time around think that the economy will get better?  I hope so for their sake. But Elon and Jeff B's billions rose quite a bit upon the announcement of his re-election.  I wonder if those  people that voted for him, I wonder if their wealth also rose instantly?    You poor bastards... You have no idea what is coming to you... (those that voted for him.  With the excemption of the rich of course)     Donnie Rides Again
  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online
  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search