Volvo S60: Mk2 Facelift vs Mk3
Verdict
At RM221,888 versus RM315,888, the Volvo S60 Mk3 asks RM94,000 more than the Volvo S60 Mk2 Facelift, and it spends that gap on hardware you can feel: 314 hp, 400 Nm, AWD and 0–100 km/h in 4.5 seconds instead of 180 hp, 240 Nm, FWD and 9.0 seconds. It also adds an 18.8 kWh battery and 90 km EV range. But the Mk2 has the lower RM90 road tax, a bigger 68-litre tank and a much lighter ownership bill.
Pick the Volvo S60 Mk2 Facelift if you want the cheaper S60, lower annual road tax and a petrol-only sedan with a larger fuel tank.
Pick the Volvo S60 Mk3 if you can charge at home and want the stronger, quicker AWD plug-in hybrid.
Key differences
- Price: Volvo S60 Mk2 Facelift RM221,888; Volvo S60 Mk3 RM315,888
- Power and torque: Volvo S60 Mk2 Facelift 180 hp/240 Nm; Volvo S60 Mk3 314 hp/400 Nm
- Drivetrain: Volvo S60 Mk2 Facelift front-wheel drive; Volvo S60 Mk3 all-wheel drive
- 0–100 km/h and top speed: Volvo S60 Mk2 Facelift 9.0 s/225 km/h; Volvo S60 Mk3 4.5 s/250 km/h
- Efficiency and CO2: Volvo S60 Mk2 Facelift 6.8 L/100 km and 159 g/km; Volvo S60 Mk3 2.0 L/100 km and 46 g/km
- Battery and EV range: Volvo S60 Mk2 Facelift none/0 km; Volvo S60 Mk3 18.8 kWh/90 km
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 221,888✓ | RM 315,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Engine | 1,596 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Power | 180 hp | 314 hp✓ |
| Torque | 240 Nm | 400 Nm✓ |
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Dry) | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 9.0 s | 4.5 s✓ |
| Top speed | 225 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Efficiency | ||
| Fuel economy | 6.8 L/100km | 2.0 L/100km✓ |
| Battery | — | 18.8 kWh |
| EV range | 0 km | 90 km✓ |
| CO₂ | 159 g/km | 46 g/km✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,628 mm | 4,761 mm |
| Width | 1,865 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,484 mm | 1,431 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,776 mm | 2,872 mm |
| Boot space | 380 L | 391 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | 68 L | 60 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 6 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5 | 5 |
| Road tax / year | RM 90✓ | RM 365 |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Mk2 Facelift
- Costs RM94,000 less
- RM90 annual road tax
- 68-litre fuel tank
- 9.0-second 0–100 km/h time
- No EV driving range
- Front-wheel drive only
Mk3
- 4.5-second 0–100 km/h time
- 90 km EV range
- AWD with 314 hp and 400 Nm
- Costs RM94,000 more
- RM365 annual road tax
- Smaller 60-litre fuel tank
Mk2 Facelift vs Mk3 FAQ
Is the Volvo S60 Mk2 Facelift or Volvo S60 Mk3 better?
The Volvo S60 Mk3 is better if you can use its plug-in hybrid hardware: it is far quicker, has AWD, 90 km EV range and lower CO2. The Volvo S60 Mk2 Facelift makes more sense on cost.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo S60 Mk3 costs RM94,000 more than the Volvo S60 Mk2 Facelift, based on RM315,888 versus RM221,888.
Which Volvo S60 is quicker?
The Volvo S60 Mk3 is much quicker, doing 0–100 km/h in 4.5 seconds. The Volvo S60 Mk2 Facelift takes 9.0 seconds, so the newer plug-in hybrid halves the sprint time.