Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer, the RM60,652 step from the Volvo S60 Mk2 to the Volvo S60 Mk3 is substantial, but it buys a 407 hp plug-in-hybrid system, all-wheel drive and a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time instead of 180 hp, front-wheel drive and 9.0 seconds. The Mk3 also has 49 km of EV range, a 442-litre boot and a longer 2,872-mm wheelbase. The Mk2 remains the cheaper, lighter choice at 1,486 kg, with RM90 annual road tax versus RM365, but it is plainly the less well-equipped and less potent S60.
Pick the Volvo S60 Mk2 if RM221,888 pricing, RM90 annual road tax and a 1,486-kg kerb weight matter more than plug-in-hybrid performance and newer driver assistance.
Pick the Volvo S60 Mk3 if you want 407 hp, 640 Nm, all-wheel drive, 49 km of EV range and the stronger safety and cabin equipment list.
Key differences
- Price: Volvo S60 Mk2 RM221,888; Volvo S60 Mk3 RM282,540.
- Power and torque: Mk2 180 hp and 240 Nm; Mk3 407 hp combined and 640 Nm combined.
- 0-100 km/h: Mk2 9.0 seconds; Mk3 4.4 seconds.
- Driveline: Mk2 front-wheel drive; Mk3 all-wheel drive.
- Plug-in capability: Mk2 has no motor or battery; Mk3 has one 87-hp, 240-Nm motor, an 11.6-kWh battery and 49 km EV range.
- Boot space: Mk2 380 litres; Mk3 442 litres.
Mk2
- RM60,652 less to buy
- RM90 annual road tax
- 555 kg lighter at 1,486 kg
- 180 hp and 240 Nm trail the Mk3's 407 hp and 640 Nm
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping steering correction, 360-degree camera or active cruise control
Mk3
- 407 hp, 640 Nm and a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time
- 49 km EV range from an 11.6-kWh battery
- City Safety auto brake, active cruise control and 360-degree camera
- Costs RM60,652 more
- RM365 annual road tax versus RM90
- 2,041 kg kerb weight is 555 kg heavier
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM221,888✓ | RM282,540 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM365 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, supercharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,596 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 180 hp at 5,700 rpm | 320 hp at 5,700 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 240 Nm at 1,600 rpm | 400 Nm at 1,200 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore × Stroke | 79 mm × 81.4 mm | 82 mm × 93.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 10.3 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 87 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | — | 240 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | — | 11.6 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 49 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 3.7 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Dry) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6 Speed Powershift | 8-Speed Geartronic |
| Gears | 6 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Getrag | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9 seconds | 4.4 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 7.1 L/100 km | 2 L/100 km✓ |
| Top Speed | 225 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 164 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 |
| Weight | 1,486 kg | 2,041 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 68 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 380 litres | 442 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/50R17 | 235/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/50R17 | 235/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | — | Continental PremiumContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloys | 19" Five Triple-spoke Diamond Cut/Matte Black Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloys | 19" Five Triple-spoke Diamond Cut/Matte Black Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — Equivalent to Volvo V60 with 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars — Equivalent to Volvo V60 with 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for rear doors | Electric for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer rear seats | Available on outer rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, City Safety with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian, Cyclist and Large Animal Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Dynamic Bi-Xenon Projectors | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable 8-Way, Memory for Driver | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split Folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 7" DVD/MP3 Player with 8 Speakers | 9" Sensus Connect with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Harman Kardon Premium Sound with 14 Speakers (600 W) |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Knob Twist |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated | Remote Control Activated |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Park Assist Pilot with Parallel and Perpendicular Parking |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 120,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
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.
Used cars for sale
Mk2 vs Mk3 FAQ
Is the Volvo S60 Mk2 or Volvo S60 Mk3 better?
The Volvo S60 Mk3 is the more capable car: 407 hp, 640 Nm, all-wheel drive, 49 km EV range and a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time. Choose the Mk2 only if its RM60,652 lower price and RM275 lower annual road tax outweigh those gains.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo S60 Mk3 costs RM282,540, which is RM60,652 more than the Volvo S60 Mk2 at RM221,888.
Can the Volvo S60 Mk3 run on electric power?
Yes. The Mk3 is a petrol plug-in hybrid with an 87-hp electric motor, 11.6-kWh battery, quoted 49 km EV range and 3.7-kW AC charging. The Mk2 is petrol-only and has no electric motor or battery.
