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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  Best car out of the 15 Ive ever owned - 2015 Volvo XC60
  By pranner - September 14 - 4:16 pm

  Our T5 is the perfect combination of what I want in a family vehicle: Outstanding fuel economy for this size/weight of a vehicle, perfectly comfortable for long road trips, great power when you need it. All of this in a premium but understated, unpretentious package.

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  Happy Volvo XC60 Owner - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By thecount26 - September 5 - 5:11 pm

  When buying this car, I had also seriously considered and test drove the Audi Q5 and BMW X3. While all nice vehicles, I felt the Volvo had the best balance of performance, utility, and price. And it simply projects more attitude than the Audi and BMW. After 1500 miles, I have been very happy. Acceleration and handling are great for a crossover, and the car feels so solid and secure when driving. Also, interior comfort is top notch---I had heard good things about Volvo seats, and a recent 6 hour drive proved to me how comfortable the XC60 seats are.

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  I will miss this car and buy another again - 2012 Volvo XC60
  By JR - September 1 - 12:26 am

  This car is not only the safest car on the road, but it has a great design and offers a somooth ride.

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  BLIS and More - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By XC - August 17 - 5:00 pm

  Six trips to repair BLIS - the last to have new software downloaded and was told it was fixed. It was on in my driveway...it was on in an empty parking lot while I was in Park. Still not fixed. Just had the rack and pinion steering replaced. Did I mention the car has less than 10,000 miles on it, is 4 months old and I bought it with 4500 dealer miles on it? Volvo just offered me a new replacement vehicle, but I want out completely and have lemon law arbitration in about a week. The vehicle is a bust and so is the dealership.

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  Seriously, Not bad at all - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Tahoe - August 15 - 2:46 am

  My wife and I bought this car last week and we love it. It handles like a dream and so far the mileage is greater then we expected. 23.5 as of this morning. We are both over 6 feet tall, Im 64" and she is 62" and fit very comfortably. However, the back seat isnt going to much use unless you are under about 55". There is a ton of cargo room and the car is almost as fun to drive as our mini cooper. When on cruise control, this car climbs like a mountain goat. There is no hesitation or effort put forth by the engine and the turbo WILL put you back in your seat.

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  I want my S60 T6 back... - 2013 Volvo XC60
  By abmwfan - August 6 - 4:46 pm

  I traded my 2012 S60 T6 (with Polestar Mod) for a 2013 XC60 R-Design after seeing a beautiful Cosmic White XC-60 on the showroom floor. The S60 and XC60 share many components, especially the interior, and I thought I would get about the the same comfort and fun to drive in a more versatile vehicle. I was wrong. If, like me, you are smitten by Volvos beautiful R-Designs, make sure you spend time in those "special R-Design sport seats" to make sure you can get comfortable. Volvo just doesnt do sport seats right. For a company thats known for its superb seat comfort, that is a big disappointment. My S60 fit like a glove and was superbly comfortable. I want it back.

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  Owned for 2 years, mixed bag - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By vmerch - August 5 - 1:27 pm

  I bought a 3.2 AWD new 2 years ago and drove it 26K miles. Towards the end it was a rattletrap. It was so bad that the dealership said that finding where it was coming from behind the dashboard could cause even worse rattles putting it back together. The loose rattles in the tailgate never were fixed from day one. The transmitter in the hatch was loose from the factory. The dealer broke 7 out of the 10 retaining clips "fixing" it. Popping noise in the drivers seat never fixed. Both Bliss cameras were replaced in 2 years. The power steering reservoir/lines were replaced after steering effort was erratic. Great to look at, but not that comfortable on the inside. Overall, quality was horrible.

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  YAH HOOOOO! - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By micheemoo - July 31 - 12:53 am

  This is one hell of ride! Dont let the old Volvo brand name fool you, this car will smoke quite a few vehicles on the road! It is solid, comfortable, stylish, safe and FAST! I really quite love this car, but then again, I have a thing for swedish cars! I was looking to replace my third saab, I test drove all the cars in XC 60s class, the lexus, the audi, the benz, the beamer, I even contemplated the 3.2 litre XC 60, but then I drove the 3.0 litre T6.....Woah! SOLD! I never turned back after that test drive! This car is luxurious, beautiful leather seats, best in class, feels solid, tight drive, just stellar car to move your caboose! I LOVE the power and the feeling is swanky but elegant!

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  One Month In, Love It - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Elmo - July 15 - 3:53 am

  Have had my T6 XC60 for a month now and absolutely love it. Traded up from a T5 XC70 and it is night and day different in terms of comfort, performance, gadgets and head turn. Even my wife loves it and shes pretty neutral about cars. The XC60 is more roomy for front and rear seat passengers, has a much more comfortable ride, and the T6 is a lot of fun. Even the handling is good for a "crossover" vehicle. Not top heavy and mushy like some other higher ends we drove. Knock wood, none of the initial build quality issues noted here (yet) in fact, no issues at all to date. We are very excited about it and love out new XC60.

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  Volvo Bravo 2 - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Jerry W - July 12 - 4:10 pm

  This is an update of my previous review in May 2009. Ive had the vehicle for 4 months and over 4,000 miles now. Although the observed fuel economy started out low (18-19 mpg), it has since improved to 20-21 mpg in a mix of highway and city driving, using regular grade gasoline. For an AWD vehicle, this is actually quite good! In this review, I have given the fuel economy a 9 (previously given an 8).