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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  Love my new Volvo - 2016 Volvo XC60
  By Teresa Morse - December 27 - 10:59 pm

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  Overall Happy - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By xcreddy - December 9 - 5:26 pm

  Have driven for a week. Overall happy with the purchase. 32,900 w/ metallic paint and premium package/sunroof. Smooth ride, quiet. Could use a few more hps as tranny has to shift often. Design is nice. Interior is luxurious though there are a few shortcuts (cheap plastic interior door pull)

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  Loving it! - 2016 Volvo XC60
  By PSim - November 23 - 10:22 am

  My R design with E drive is very economical, easy on gas...but accelerates like a rocket, great performance. Super comfortable interior, and a super solid Volvo design as I would expect. No flimsy feeling doors on a Volvo! I highly recommend

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  First and Definitely Last Volvo - 2015 Volvo XC60
  By chas16066 - November 16 - 12:47 am

  Safety features are outstanding, but after driving car for 2 months, each day is as frustrating as the last in how poorly designed the interior is. Virtually no place to store things. In order to reach something easily (while driving), it has to be in one of the two cup holders. Bluetooth and iPod functionality is unintuitive. I have had to memorize exactly what will work when, which has relieved some of that frustration. Lots of reviewers praise the comfort; it has been more comfortable than Toyota Highlander, but not by much. Most frustrating : the poor service of ONLY Volvo dealer in my area. Not having a choice for service has been a major mistake.

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  Try it and you will buy it !! - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By CT Driver - November 9 - 3:36 am

  I was in a automobile accident and got a settlement that allowed me to get anything I wanted, For the first and last time in my life,price really wasnt an obstacle. I wanted a comfortable vehicle that had easy entry and exit and one that I felt safe in . The Mercedes E-class was "underwhelming",not nearly worth the money (I had owned a 1962 220 SB that felt like it was carved from a ingot of iron,new one, no way).The Audi Q5 was real nice,but the MMI controls and requirement for high test gas were a turn off.Cadillac,Lincoln,Lexus(salesman wouldnt even come over),Ditto for Infiniti. Plus they just didnt feel right.Test drove the XC60 and -wow. I had found my car.

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  XC60 T6 Review - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Paul - September 26 - 11:43 pm

  Compared; MB, BMW, Audi and Volvo. Owned MB, Lexus and Volvos (9th Volvo). Volvo best equipped for $$. Took delivery in Sweden. Excellent trip. 2500 miles on odo and mpg is running; 20 city, 22.5 combo and 24 highway. Turbo tip: taking it easy on the pedal will return decent mpg. T6 engine is smooth and the 6 speed trans shifts extremely well. The best riding and handling Volvo, for me, and of course the seats should be used as a industry standard for comfort and function. Did not purchase the nav system as Garmin is much easier to operate. I looked at the T6 R package but couldnt justify the extra $$ for what is included. The dealership calls to ensure I am happy. Bullet proof so far.

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  Completely Satisfied - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By shulmands131 - September 12 - 3:35 am

  I bought a 2011 (With Sensus) XC60 last month, and so far have been very satisfied. I got the base model with Premium Pkg and Multimedia Pkg. Only problem so far is the center channel speaker in the dash (only in multimedia pkg) rattles a bit at certain volumes/frequencies, but the dealership said theyd see if they can pad it some when I get time to drive over there. This is my 3rd Volvo and I love it!

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  Big improvement for R-design - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By loyaltim - September 3 - 5:43 pm

  Just got XC60 R-Design in Passion Red, and did a test drive to compare R and "normal". I asked myself several times why I have to pay additional 3-4 thousand more just for the R logo and cosmetics features and I got an answer- completely different handling (suspension and steering)and you can not compare it, even my wife notice that immediately- no body rolling and no sofa bed driving sense. Love it.

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  Slick Ride with Great MPG - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By newjersey2 - September 1 - 6:12 am

  Switched from Highlander and have been pleasantly surprised. Averaging 25 mpg in town and on highway by driving sensibly. Outstanding sound system with the NAV package. Not a whole lot of leg room in backseat, but front passenger seat folds down to tote large loads (10ft 2 bys). Not a super amount of off the line grunt, but cruises effortlessly at 80. Only complaint thus far is really dumb key start thingamajig. You can pull out the key and leave the car running inadvertantly, also you can leave accessories running without knowing it. Huh? What is Volvo thinking?

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  So far so good - 2015 Volvo XC60
  By Luke Skywooker - August 15 - 4:35 am

  looked at everything in the $35K price range, saw this Volvo Used with 14K miles for $35,300. Beat out Edge and Murano, way less than Audi or X3. Drives very smooth, amazing seats, great acceleration. Didnt like Volvos newer 4cyl engines, too raspy and sounded like they were working way too hard. Went for the 6 cyl. So far very glad. WE are averaging 24 MPG combined for the 30 days.