The 2018 Volvo S60 AWD 2.0L 4-cyl gets a combined fuel economy rating of 26 MPG, placing it in the middle for compact luxury sedans with all-wheel drive. This isn’t a major selling point, but it’s not a drawback for Volvo either. The S60, in this setup, is for buyers who want understated elegance, Swedish design, and stability in all weather, more than the best gas mileage.

City and highway performance

The EPA says it gets 22 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway. These numbers show how the S60’s turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission work. The lower city MPG is due to stop-and-go driving, where the engine works harder to start moving. The higher highway number shows the engine can cruise efficiently at steady speeds, helped by the transmission’s overdrive gears. The all-wheel-drive system provides better traction and stability, and it also adds weight, which leads to a slight decrease in fuel economy compared to front-wheel-drive models. Drivers who often face tough road conditions or live in areas with harsh winters will like the AWD system, even if it means using a little more gas.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2018 Volvo S60 AWD 2.0L 4-cyl is $2,250. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and using the average national fuel price when it was calculated. Actual costs will change based on driving habits, local fuel prices, and the type of fuel used. While $2,250 is a noticeable expense, it’s an important number for potential owners to think about when planning for car ownership. It also lets buyers compare against other cars in the same class, to see the financial effect of their choice.

Real-world expectations

The EPA uses a standard testing process, but real-world fuel economy often differs from the official numbers. Things like aggressive driving, too much idling, carrying heavy loads, and using air conditioning can all change fuel use. Drivers who mainly drive in busy cities might see their actual MPG closer to the 22 MPG city estimate, while those who often take long highway trips could see numbers closer to or even a bit higher than the 32 MPG highway rating. Paying attention to driving habits and car maintenance can help close the gap between EPA estimates and real-world results.

How it compares

The 2018 S60’s fuel economy compares interestingly to its competitors. The BMW 330i xDrive, for example, has a similar combined MPG of 26, but often gives slightly better real-world gas mileage for drivers who want efficiency. The Audi A4 quattro gets 27 MPG combined, and is often seen as the most efficient of the German AWD sedans. The Mercedes-Benz C300 4MATIC, while luxurious, usually gets slightly lower fuel economy than the S60 at 25 MPG combined. For buyers also looking at Japanese cars, the Acura TLX SH-AWD gets around 24 MPG combined and the Infiniti Q50 AWD gets around 22 MPG combined because they have larger, more powerful engines.

The S60 buyer isn’t only trying to get the best gas mileage. They’re often okay with a slightly lower number for the S60’s Scandinavian design, safety features, and all-weather ability. They want a comfortable driving experience over saving every last bit of fuel, but they still care about the overall cost. For those who want to learn more, all Volvo fuel economy data is available to compare models, and S60 MPG across all years will give a broad view of its efficiency.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Keeping tires properly inflated can really help with fuel economy. Make sure your tires have the pressure listed on the tire placard (usually on the driver’s side doorjamb) for the best rolling resistance. This is especially important when it’s cold, because tire pressure usually goes down.

Avoid hard acceleration and braking. The S60’s turbocharged engine has plenty of power, but using it carefully will help save fuel. Predict traffic and keep a steady speed when you can.

Take out unnecessary weight. Carrying heavy things in the trunk or backseat can hurt fuel economy. Remove anything you don’t need from the car to reduce the load on the engine. Winter tires also weigh more, so switch to lighter all-season tires when the weather is nice.

Don’t idle too much. Idling wastes fuel, especially in newer cars. If you’re going to be stopped for more than a minute, turn off the engine. The S60 has a start-stop system that turns off the engine at stoplights to save fuel.