Overview
The 2013 Volvo S60 is a compact luxury sedan that blends Scandinavian design with a strong focus on safety, comfort, and confident highway manners. It’s ideal for drivers who want a premium daily commuter with supportive seats, available turbocharged power, and a quieter, more mature feel than many sport-first rivals. The 2013 model sits within the second-generation S60 (introduced for 2011), and by this point the platform and powertrains were well established. In the used market, it’s often positioned as a value alternative to German compact luxury sedans, especially for shoppers prioritizing safety and all-weather capability.
Key Features
- Engine lineup with turbocharged options: Many 2013 S60 models use a turbocharged 2.5L inline-5 (T5) producing around 250 hp, while higher trims offer a turbocharged 3.0L inline-6 (T6) with approximately 300+ hp, typically paired with all-wheel drive for stronger traction.
- Available all-wheel drive (AWD): AWD-equipped S60 trims are popular in snow-belt regions and add confidence in poor weather, especially on T6 models.
- Safety leadership: Expect Volvo’s hallmark safety engineering, with available driver-assist technologies such as collision warning with auto brake (depending on trim/packages), plus strong crash-test performance for the era.
- Comfortable, long-distance cabin: The S60 is known for supportive front seats and a refined ride that suits commuters and road trips, with a premium feel in materials and sound insulation.
- Balanced handling without harshness: Steering and suspension tuning favor stability and control rather than track-style stiffness, making it a comfortable sport sedan alternative.
Common Issues & Reliability
Shoppers researching 2013 Volvo S60 problems, 2013 Volvo S60 reliability, and 2013 Volvo S60 common issues should know that overall dependability can be solid with proper maintenance, but a few issues appear regularly in owner reports and repair histories.
- Oil consumption and PCV system concerns (often 80,000–140,000 miles): Some owners report increased oil use, which can be related to engine wear, turbocharged operating conditions, or crankcase ventilation (PCV) issues. Low oil can accelerate turbo and engine wear, so consistent monitoring is important.
- Cooling system and thermostat housing leaks (often 70,000–120,000 miles): Coolant seepage can show up at hoses, plastic fittings, or thermostat housings. Symptoms include low coolant warnings, sweet smells, or overheating risk if ignored.
- Ignition coils and spark plug wear causing misfires (often 60,000–100,000 miles): Rough idle, flashing check engine lights, and hesitation under load can point to coils or plugs. Turbo engines are sensitive to ignition health, and delayed service can damage catalytic components.
- Electronic and sensor-related glitches (varies by mileage): Owners sometimes note intermittent warning messages, infotainment quirks, or sensor faults. Many are solvable with software updates or targeted part replacement, but diagnostics can be more specialized than on non-luxury cars.