Volvo S60 2012 vs 2013?

You’ve narrowed your used Volvo S60 search to two model years, and the listings look nearly identical. But under the skin, Volvo made a meaningful change between 2012 and 2013 that affects how the car drives and what you’ll pay.

TL;DR:

• 2013 introduced a refreshed T5 engine and added a T5 AWD trim with torque-vectoring all-wheel drive
• The 2012 S60 was the first year to offer a lower-priced FWD T5 trim, making it the more affordable entry point that year
• Both years share the same second-generation S60 body, so styling differences are minimal
• The range topped out at a 300 hp turbocharged inline-6 (T6) in both years
• 2013’s AWD T5 delivered 96% of the T6’s performance for thousands less, per contemporary reviews

Expert note: the S60’s second generation ran from 2011 through 2018 with only minor yearly tweaks, so the 2012-to-2013 jump is one of the smaller changes in that run — but it’s still worth knowing before you buy.

Volvo S60 2012 vs 2013: What Changed Between Model Years

The short answer: 2013 added an AWD option to the lighter T5 engine and gave that engine a refresh, while 2012’s headline change was simply making the S60 more affordable with a new base trim.

Pull quote: “The 2013 S60 didn’t reinvent the car — it just made the entry-level engine work harder and reach further.”

Engine and Trim Comparison

Quick Tip: If AWD matters to you, that’s the single biggest reason to lean 2013 — the 2012 model year didn’t offer all-wheel drive on the T5 engine at all, only on the pricier T6.

Why Volvo Made These Changes

Volvo added the FWD T5 in 2012 specifically to cut the S60’s price of entry, opening the lineup to buyers who couldn’t stretch to the T6. In 2013, Volvo went further by giving that same lightweight T5 an AWD option with a torque-vectoring system, letting budget-conscious buyers get most of the T6’s grip without the T6 price tag.

Real-world scenario: Imagine two friends shopping in 2013 with a $34,000 budget. One wants AWD for snowy commutes but can’t afford the T6 — for the first time, they could get the 2013 T5 AWD and, per period road tests, get about 96% of the T6’s driving experience for roughly $6,700 less.

A contemporary road test found the T5 AWD’s torque-vectoring system used the ABS system to brake the inside wheels during cornering, sending more power to the outside wheel, rather than relying on a traditional limited-slip differential.

Pull quote: “Torque vectoring isn’t a mechanical diff — it’s software using your brakes to fake one, and it works better than you’d expect.”

How They Drive: Any Real Difference?

Behind the wheel, a 2012 T5 FWD and a 2013 T5 FWD feel very similar — same body, same suspension tuning, same basic character. The 2013 T5 AWD is the outlier, adding meaningfully more cornering confidence thanks to the standard 235-width tires and the new torque-vectoring software.

Quick Tip: Volvo’s inline-5 was frequently praised for smoothness during this era — one professional review noted it ran smoother than BMW’s 2.0L four-cylinder rival, so don’t assume a rival’s four-cylinder will feel more refined just because it’s newer.

A 2025 industry retrospective on early-2010s luxury sedans noted that torque-vectoring AWD systems using brake-based power distribution became a common cost-saving alternative to mechanical limited-slip differentials across the segment during this period (as of 2025).

Reliability and Ownership Costs

Neither model year stands out as dramatically more reliable than the other since they share the same generation and most mechanical components. Ownership data for the era estimates roughly $1,680 in expected repair costs over a 12-month period, with about a 12% chance of needing a repair in that window.

Quick Tip: Because the 2013 refresh touched the T5 engine internals and transmission tuning, ask any seller specifically about transmission service history on 2013 T5 models — refreshed components sometimes carry unique service bulletins that older 2012 units don’t.

Pros and Cons by Buyer Type

The Budget-First Buyer

• Pros: 2012 FWD T5 was the first genuinely affordable S60 trim, and used prices on 2012 models tend to run slightly lower
• Cons: No AWD option available on the lower-cost engine that year

The All-Weather Driver

• Pros (2013): T5 AWD gives real winter capability without paying T6 prices
• Cons (2013): AWD adds weight and complexity versus the simpler FWD setup

The Performance-Focused Buyer

• Pros (either year): T6’s 300 hp turbo inline-6 is identical in both years and remains the quickest option
• Cons: T6 costs meaningfully more than either T5 trim in both model years

Choose This If…

Choose the 2012 S60 if your top priority is the lowest possible purchase price and you don’t need all-wheel drive.

Choose the 2013 S60 if you want AWD without stepping up to the T6, or you want the slightly refreshed T5 engine and transmission tuning.

FAQ

What’s the biggest difference between the 2012 and 2013 Volvo S60? The 2013 model added a T5 AWD trim with torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, an option that wasn’t available on the lighter engine in 2012.

Is the 2013 S60 more reliable than the 2012? Not meaningfully — both share the same core platform and mechanical design from the S60’s second generation, which ran from 2011 through 2018.

Does the T5 AWD really perform close to the T6? According to period road tests, the 2013 T5 AWD delivered about 96% of the T6’s driving performance for thousands of dollars less.

Which model year is cheaper to buy used? 2012 models typically list slightly lower since they lack the AWD T5 option and the engine refresh, though pricing varies heavily by trim and mileage.

Are the 2012 and 2013 S60 the same body style? Yes — both belong to the second-generation S60, so exterior styling and interior layout are nearly identical between the two years.

Key Takeaways

• The 2013 S60 added a T5 AWD trim with torque-vectoring, unavailable on the 2012 model
• 2012 was the first year for the lower-cost FWD T5, making it the more budget-friendly entry point
• Both years share the same 300 hp T6 as the range-topping engine
• Reliability and running costs are essentially the same across both model years
• The 2013 T5 AWD offered near-T6 performance for thousands less than the six-cylinder

Next Step

Decide whether AWD is a must-have for your climate and commute — that single question will point you to the right model year faster than any spec sheet comparison.