Volvo offers three models in its current SUV lineup, but the two-row XC60 crossover remains in the sweet spot as a compelling choice in a sea of competitors. Credit its cozy, comfortable Nordic-style interior, a wide selection of trims and powertrains and generous standard safety features as some of the key elements that make the XC60 an attractive alternative in a crowded segment.
Positioned between the smaller XC40 and the larger CX90, the XC60 crossover debuted in 2008. A cosmetic redesign for the 2018 model year resonated with buyers, driving U.S. sales from 22,516 units in 2017 to 32,869 in 2018, according to Volvo.
Four trims are on offer: the base Momentum, the racy R-Design, the upscale Inscription and performance Polestar Engineered model with an exclusive 415-horsepower hybrid powertrain and a Polestar engineered chassis.
As an example of how closely this segment is cut, consider that the XC60’s 184.6-inch length is just an inch and change shorter than the BMW X3, but its design carries a bit more visual heft overall. Both have a 112.4-inch wheelbase. The Audi Q5 cuts it even closer, coming in just three-tenths of an inch shorter.
Somehow, the BMW manages to carve out more cargo area, offering 28.7 cubic feet behind the second-row to the XC60’s 17.8 cubic feet. Curiously, with the second row folded flat, the XC60 comes in at 63.6 cubic-feet to the X3’s 62.7. The Audi Q5 measures in at 25.9 and 54.1 cubic-feet, respectively.
Forbes Wheels Overall Rating: 80/100
The XC60 mimics its larger and more expensive cousin, the XC90. Considering the XC90s refined interior and exterior styling, it’s an excellent place to crib from.
None of the XC60’s powertrains feel sluggish, but the base turbo-four could use more grunt. The engines do sound coarse at times, and the hybrid can feel clunky at low speeds.
Comfort & Convenience: 17/20
The XC60’s interior is easy on the eyes and on the rear, as its seating surfaces are more than accommodating in all trims. The vertically oriented infotainment system is easy to see, but the cargo compartment is tight when the second-row seatbacks are in the up position.
The XC60 took home a Top Safety Pick + award from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA, and features a well-curated selection of standard safety tech.
XC60’s with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder T5 powertrain are EPA rated at 25 mpg combined and 22 city/29 highway for front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive subtracts one mpg in each metric. The all-wheel drive T6 specification is rated at 23 mpg combined and 20 city/27 highway. The plug-in hybrid T8 powertrain is EPA rated at 27 mpg combined on gasoline but earns a 57 mpge rating (gas and electric) and can travel to an estimated 17 miles on battery alone.
PROS
- Elegant but understated styling in and out
- Decent fuel economy across the board
- Generous list of standard features
CONS:
- Could use more interior storage
- Slow infotainment at times
- Hybrid powertrain sometimes clunky
2021 Volvo XC60 Performance
With a turbocharged 250-horsepower 2.0-liter engine under the hood, the base T5 spec XC60 feels lively but far from quick. With a maximum of 258 pound-feet of torque coming on at as low as 1500 rpm, however, it has no problem holding its own in heavy traffic and sufficient on the highway, but the SUV is far better off with the T6 powertrain. Stepping up to the T6 adds a supercharger to the mix, helping it deliver 316 horsepower and 285 pound-feet of torque. The supercharger and turbo act as a tag-team of sorts, the supercharger providing boost at step-off with the turbo picking up at higher revs. The T6 powertrain also adds standard all-wheel drive, which is a big plus for buyers living where the air hurts their faces for parts of the year.
The T8 is a hybrid powertrain rated for a stout 400 horsepower and 427 pound-feet of torque (415 horsepower in the Polestar-Engineered trim), numbers unheard of in a compact SUV less than a decade ago.
Regardless of powertrain choice, engine output is funneled through an eight-speed automatic transmission that does a decent job of getting through the gears efficiently. However, there are moments in the hybrid where the communication between the components becomes strained under aggressive driver inputs, resulting in a few noisy and indecisive power handoffs. Nothing you’d notice under mild conditions, but pressed, you can tell the hybrid powertrain discussion is getting lively.
Though quiet inside, the XC60’s ride is a bit firmer than expected. This is especially noticeable with the larger 19-inch wheels, but the tradeoff here is that the vehicle feels sporty and planted in corners. Thankfully highway travel over maintained pavement is far more tranquil. Otherwise, the XC60 handles and stops better than a 4200-pound plus Crossover has a right to, though it can’t match the Porsche Macan or BMW X3 for pure joy or tactile feel.
2021 Volvo XC60 Comfort and Convenience
The XC60’s cabin is beautiful, serene and comfortable, borrowing much of the feel and attitude of the larger and more expensive XC90. Interior materials are top-notch, and Volvo’s color schemes are among the most well-thought-out and pleasing to the eye in the business. The front seats are not only presented in true mid-century Scandi style, but they’re also nicely adjustable—especially in the Inscription trim—and offer great padding and support.
Beneath the rear cargo area resides an under-floor storage area, and when equipped with the optional air suspension, the XC60 can lower itself for easier cargo loading. Volvo’s Sensus Connect infotainment seems complicated at first but becomes intuitive after a short adjustment period. The swipe menus offer granular control over vehicle features and settings and can be programmed to interact with driver profiles for a great deal of flexibility. The 9-inch tablet-style screen is crisp and responsive, but sometimes, commands pause before the app loads or request is completed. As is becoming the norm, the XC60 is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible.
2021 Volvo CX60 Safety Systems
The 2021 Volvo XC60 picked up a Top Safety Pick + award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and five stars overall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That’s on top of standard forward collision warning with visual and audible alerts, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning with lane keeping assistance. In addition, front, side and air-curtain airbags add to the SIPS (Side Impact Protection Structure) body structure design to direct damage away from occupants.
Adaptive Cruise Control with semi-autonomous driving feature and front parking assist with 360-degree view camera overhead camera are part of the $2500 Advanced Package. In addition, integrated booster seats for children over the age of four are available for $400.
2021 Volvo XC60: Our Verdict
The Volvo XC60 offers a refreshingly different take on the compact luxury SUV. It’s got more standard safety features than its competition from BMW, Audi or Mercedes-Benz and delivers decent fuel economy no matter how equipped. It also displays an effortless luxury vibe emblematic of Scandinavian design that its main compactors lack—chic but never showy. Aside from a few gripes about interior storage and infotainment blips, the Volvo should be at, or near the top, or every premium shopper’s list.
Competition:
Volvo XC60 Generations
Second Generation: 2017 to Present
Wholly redesigned in 2017, the XC60’s second generation saw the utilization of Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) underpinnings shared by the S90, V90, and XC90. This new platform delivers improved vehicle safety and efficiency while also reducing weight. Additionally, the North American XC60 would be available only with four-cylinder engines—a change from the inline-four, -five, and -six varieties offered globally. The T8 Plug-in Hybrid model was added to the lineup as well. The all-new XC60 also received more safety features with Steer Assist and Oncoming Lane Mitigation as well as the Pilot Assist driver-assistance system. Infotainment capability was bolstered thanks to added smartphone integration and more connected services features.
First Generation: 2009 to 2014
Introduced in concept form at the 2007 Detroit auto show, the production XC60 was unveiled the following year in Geneva. Sales began in Europe at the end of 2008 as a 2009 model and in North America early the following year as a 2010 model. The US-bound XC60 featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine with an output of 281 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The sporty R-Design arrived in 2010 with a plug-in hybrid model teased in 2012. However, that hybrid did not come to fruition and is different from today’s offering. The XC60 received a refresh for the 2014 model year. Changes were mostly cosmetic with updated exterior styling and new interior materials but added features included a paddle shifter option and a seven-inch touchscreen display. Notably, the first generation of Volvo’s City Safety auto-brake technology debuted in the XC60 before eventually being included in the rest of the automaker’s lineup.