Overview & Reviews

Crossover SUVs, thanks to their combination of utility and carlike handling, have become the mainstream choice for many drivers. The Volvo XC60 is the Swedish manufacturer's latest entry. Seating five, the XC60 competes in the growing small luxury crossover segment.

Since it's a Volvo, you might assume that the XC60 has safety going for it, and you'd be right. There's even a trick City Safety system that automatically brakes the vehicle to prevent or mitigate low-speed collisions. But the XC60 is also a stylish and functional vehicle, and it handles unusually well for a crossover, let alone one with a Volvo badge on the front. It belongs on your short list if you're shopping for a vehicle of this sort.

Current Volvo XC60
The Volvo XC60 is a premium crossover SUV that's available in three trim levels: 3.2, T6 and T6 R-Design.

The 3.2 has a 3.2-liter inline-6 that generates 240 horsepower, while the T6 has a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 engine rated at 300 hp. The R-Design bumps output to 325 hp. Front-wheel drive is standard on the 3.2, with all-wheel drive optional. The T6s come with all-wheel drive. All XC60s feature a six-speed automatic with manual shift control. The XC60 T6 accelerates from zero to 60 mph in about 7 seconds flat, which is pretty quick for this segment.

Standard features on the 3.2 include alloy wheels, a power driver seat, cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity and iPod control. The T6 adds the turbocharged engine, leather upholstery and a power passenger seat. The T6 R-Design adds 20-inch wheels, adaptive xenon headlights, sport-tuned suspension and steering, a panoramic sunroof, privacy glass and special styling elements inside and out. Option highlights include heated front and rear seats, a power liftgate, parking sensors, keyless ignition/entry a navigation system, a back-up camera and Volvo's integrated child booster seats.

Safety features are plentiful and include stability control, antilock brakes with brake assist, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and whiplash-reducing front seats. The standard City Safety feature allows the XC60 to automatically apply its brakes below certain speeds to prevent or lessen damage from collisions. A Collision Avoidance package is optional and adds a lane-departure warning system, a blind-spot warning system, adaptive cruise control and other driver aids.

In reviews, our editors have praised the XC60's stylish cabin with its avant-garde "floating" center stack, available real oak trim (metallic trim is standard) and high materials quality. The roomy and comfortably elevated rear seat has a convenient 40/20/40-split configuration. With all sections folded down, there are 67 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity. Parents should love the optional integrated rear booster seats.

On the road, the Volvo XC60 delivers performance that's easily on par with its European rivals. The base 3.2 engine is just adequate, but the energetic turbocharged straight-6 provides plenty of power with no perceptible lag and is the gem of the two. The handling is hampered somewhat by numb steering, but most will find the XC60 provides a strong sense of vehicle control.

Used Volvo XC60 Models
The Volvo XC60 debuted for the 2010 model year. Initially, there were just the 3.2 and T6 trim levels, the former having 235 hp and the latter with 281 hp. The following year brought increased output for both engines (to 240 and 300 hp, respectively) as well as the debut of the sporty "R-Design" variants of each, for a total of four trim levels. The 3.2 R-Design lasted just one year, however. The T6 R-Design's power output also went up to 325 hp for 2012.

User Reviews:

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  Really Cool Volvo - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By teejay - December 20 - 11:53 am

  We traded our 12-year old S70 for the XC60 3.2L. We test drove several other crossover SUVs but none felt as well built, safe, comfortable, or luxurious as the XC60. This is our 5th Volvo. The S70 had no squeaks or strange noises and still looked great. We selected the Premier and Convenience packages. This car comes with all the other features that we wanted. The ride is smooth, quiet, and comfortable. The cargo area is roomy. When you set the power seat, it includes the side-view mirror settings as well. We chose the slate interior, which is really good looking with the brushed aluminum trim. We purchased the Environmental Protection package. Will not need wax for 7 years. Cool vehicle!

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  Awesome - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By Bob - October 11 - 10:00 am

  Picked up the new XC60 last week. Have taken on one road trip and surprised to show 25.3 mpg on interstate. Smooth ride, quick front end, handles like a sports car.

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  Great SUV - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By KW - October 4 - 10:06 am

  Have had my XC60 for 5 months and so far this SUV has been great. It feels very solid on the road with just the right amount of feedback. The seats are the best in the auto industry as I can drive for hours and not feel fatigued. There is enough space for four adults and plenty of gear while not feeling to large like the XC90. The gas mileage is fair, Ive been getting 18 MPG on average. City Safety works great, a car in front of me stalled at a green light, I went, got to close and the car stopped itself...saved me from an accident. Great looks inside and out, especially at night with the LED lights. Really enjoy driving this car as my daily commuter.

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  Awesome - 2012 Volvo XC60
  By dr_az - September 29 - 5:06 am

  Just got my T6R in cosmic white metallic, its beautiful. now my wife wants one in red. I commute almost 1.5 hr a day. The car makes the commute so enjoyable, passing cars with ease all the while sitting in those so comfy seats listening to Pandora from my iPhone streamed through the speakers. Also appreciate the fact that after a long hard day at work going home in this car makes me feel safe with all the wonderful safety features. I also love the fact that the the car is rare, compared to the X3s, Q 5s, GLKs, SRXs and forget about the millions of RX350s. Volvo also has the best warrantee in this class. This is a no brainier, if you can find one..

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  Go for a long test drive - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By missi4 - September 28 - 12:09 am

  After a week of driving the XC60, I noticed a problem with the transmission, a hesitation when accelerating from a complete stop/speeding up to pass etc. Like driving manual transmission in the wrong gear. Took it for service repetedly. Volvo wouldnt admit a problem and told me to use premium fuel. One mechanic said its a 5000lb car you have to gun it (!!). Finally they said they knew what was wrong and to wait for a software update, that took 6 months. It helped but the problem was still there. Volvo went back to saying there was nothing wrong with the car. After a year, I had had it and asked how much they would give me for the car to end this, Carmax gave me more. The GPS stinks too.

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  Fun, Safe, and Enjoyable - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By VOLVO XC60 3.2 AWD - August 28 - 10:40 pm

  Overall, this car is fantastic. It is fun to drive. It handles more like a car than an SUV. Tight turning radius. The city safety feature as standard demonstrates Volvos dedication to safety. The ride is smooth and handles well on the road in all conditions. The only problem is the gas mileage. Fuel economy is great on long open roads (at times I was getting in near 30 mpg), while city driving I get close to 10. This disparity is my only problem with the vehicle. I had an idea of this going in, which is why I am happy with my selection. Volvo did great with this car.

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  Utilitarian luxury - 2015 Volvo XC60
  By ToddW - August 14 - 5:35 pm

  We have the Platinum T5 e-drive and its different than any other car Ive been in. The interface for radio and ac and tech is somewhat simple, but the car has fantastic safety tech, and the simple interface is nice. You turn a dial to adjust the temperature, you dont scroll through your touch screen. Turning safety features on and off is simple, there are dedicated buttons, and the adjustments and customizing for those features is made using the screen when youre not driving. I actually bought this for my daughter. I had narrowed it down the Honda/Acura and the Subarus due to their great active safety features, but sprung for the Volvo since its safer and just nicer in a lot of ways. Interestingly, youll find the Subaru scores higher on active braking because it triggers auto braking earlier and stops you completely when approaching a car at 25mph. With this Volvo, youd still hit the car, but at a slow speed. What the IIHS testing doesnt tell you when it compares these systems, is that Volvo uses both radar and a camera. The Subaru uses a camera that can easily be blinded if you are driving into the sun. The Subaru does warn you the collision avoidance system cant "see", but the Volvo simply doesnt get blinded. I prefer that. It is also built a bit stronger, and seats you wonderfully. The honda and acura use "radar" too, and are very nice for the price.

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  Mixed Review - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By vmerch - August 8 - 12:50 pm

  I added the optional Nuvi/Volvo navigation unit when I purchased the car. It looks great in the recessed dash space, but the dealership dented the center stack when installing. After getting the car back, I have had continued rattles in the back. I removed every possible part that could cause the noise and it still exists. Yesterday the BLIS on the passenger side stopped working. I cleaned the lense but it still blinks on/off and most of the time just stays on. It will be in the shop again this Friday. For 6 weeks of ownership it will have been out of service for 2. While I drove both the MB350 GLK and this car, I am beginning to regret my Volvo choice.

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  better options are out there! - 2012 Volvo XC60
  By fshfsh120 - July 26 - 6:54 am

  I purchased a brand new XC60 3.2 8 months ago. ItÂ’s a nice car but absolutely doesnÂ’t worth the premium you pay. The worst part of my experience with Volvo was the dealership. I complained about the dealership but the head office did nothing. ItÂ’s my third car after a Toyota Venza, Mercedes C300. Worst experience with the dealership!! Safety? ItÂ’s not a big deal these days. Not much difference between different models and brands. If you do not believe me, just get a few insurance quotes or crash test results! Last but not the least: terrible fuel economy!

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  new car - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By lin - July 22 - 4:56 am

  like the xc60, but seats not a comfortable as my former s60. Also, when I go from park to drive, something knocks under the car. Found out after I took delivery that Volvo is mistakenly leaving off parts that are supposed to be standard equipment on the T6 and 3.2...make sure yours has the polished exhaust tips before you sign any papers. My didnt (how often do you check a car to see if it has all the standard equipment it is supposed to) (do we need to lift the hood and make sure everything is there before we drive it off the lot?) volvo has been slow to get these parts on my new car. The company should issue a recall to have these put on the cars like they were supposed to.