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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  First Impression - Great ride! - 2013 Volvo XC60
  By temsmedic - September 23 - 4:55 pm

  Wow, what a change, moving from a Honda Civic Hybrid! I know that the 300 hp is going to get me into trouble! I REALLY miss the large digital speed display on my Honda, because I REALLY need to keep an eye on my speed with this thing! It is way too easy to get up and moving above the speed limit I had a great experience purchasing it from Sandberg Volvo, after my local dealer wouldnt match the USAA price, and Sandberg gave me an interest rate 1/2 of USAAs. I was a bit worried about the poor reviews of the digital interface, but I find it easy to use, EXCEPT the nav system is not as easy to use as Garmin. I still cant find a way to pull up stored waypoints,

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  Not too shabby - 2013 Volvo XC60
  By leprof - September 12 - 9:15 pm

  After comparing and doing research for many months, I bought this car new mostly for the design (exterior and interior) and value. It is a very sharp looking little SUV, and for its class, it is reasonably priced! The Bluetooth and technology interface works perfectly, and I find the controls to be fairly easy to navigate. A couple of annoying things about it are the slow acceleration and some comfort issues. I am 64", and my leg rests against the sharp edge of the middle console too much. Overall, I like it a lot, and I have had no problems with it mechanically so far.

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  Volvo got it right! - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By george167 - August 25 - 9:39 pm

  My 4th volvo. This is the best yet. The R-design interior/exterior trim accentuate the beauty of this vehicle. The 20" wheels are a surprise in handling and comfort. City safety, climate, nav, media, tech, and bliss packages w/satelite radio and remote keyless entry... all contribute to an excellent driving experience. 6 mos. /10,000+ miles to date and expect over 200k like my others. Volvo has come of age with this model. Solid, beautiful (R-design a must) and full of amenities. I can go on and on. Perfect SoCal freeway vehicle (with surf racks for the beach), especialy with adaptive cruise control, blind spot info system and collision warning. Only superlatives.

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  Excellent Vehicle! - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By RL - August 3 - 9:10 pm

  Purchased my XC60 after owning a 2001 and 2004 S60s and while I really enjoyed the S60’s (I did buy two of them) the XC60 is an enormously improved vehicle. The gas mileage is not great but let’s face it this is an SUV/crossover and I am pretty happy with the 18mpg I am getting in city driving (my S60 got only 21). Love the design interior and exterior, seats are improved over S60 (which is saying a lot), all controls improved, love the panoramic moon roof. Amazing vehicle! Absolutely no problems or complaints! Compared to other vehicles in the class the XC60 offeres the best value for the money by far... note even close to others.

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  Happy customer - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By millie - July 1 - 10:00 am

  After driving many competitors in the smaller-SUV "luxury" market, was enticed by XC60s size, styling, warranty and maintenance program. For a medium sized SUV I find the trunk space to be adequate (MUCH better than the Audi Q5). Have the Turbo and it is a zippy awesome driving experience. It is a comfortable, lovely ride. Controls are easy to use/operate. Complaints (minor) are no change holder in center console. Wind whistles through the sunroof area when you go above 40mph (need to get that checked out). The tan interior is lighter than I expected so bought stain protection out of fea--it is doing its job.

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  Love Me some XC60 - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Volvo4Life - June 17 - 11:50 am

  Just a cool looking vehicle that offers a great driving experience. We love the fact that weve only seen one other one on the road. Exterior design is edgy, interior is rich, ride quality is smooth, and the vehicle just feels solid and safe to drive. Sunroof is awesome. Only real complaint is fuel economy. We would have preferred the turbo engine for a little more pep but did not want to sacrifice the gas mileage. 3.2 offers good power, though....not sluggish.

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  Best luxury SUV ever - 2015 Volvo XC60
  By Shon Johnson - June 17 - 8:41 am

  I looked at several luxury crossover vehicles before buying the XC60. This is my second Volvo (my first being a S40 ) and I didnt think that I would love it as much as I did my S40 but Wow is all I can say! I thought a Volvo SUV would be boring and too old-fashioned but I was wrong. I would buy this 2015.5 again and again. I love running errands and taking long drives because it great on gas mileage and it is so nice to look at both inside and outside. Another plus is that it doesnt sit so high off the ground that you have to hoist yourself up just to get in like my Expedition. This XC60 is the perfect size.

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  First Volvo - 2015 Volvo XC60
  By Calc - June 4 - 6:57 am

  The power and handling is amazing

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  Love the Drive-E T6 - 2016 Volvo XC60
  By Russ - May 26 - 1:16 am

  I just leased a new XC 60 AWD with the new Drive-E T6 engine with the turbo and supercharger with the 8 speed transmission. Am coming from a 2009 X3 3.0si with stick shift. This is the first automatic transmission I have owned in years and I am REALLY impressed with the engine/transmission combination. Drove 200 miles on 2 lane roads the last couple of days and did lots of passing. Shift into sport mode and stomp on it and the acceleration is instant. No hunting for gears at all and in sport mode the transmission really holds a gear. Even in regular mode Ive been impressed with the transmission. Well worth the extra couple of grand for the Drive-E T6 engine. Ride quality is very nice, better than the BMW. Handling isnt quite as good as the X3 but is fine for the kind of driving I usually do. Im very happy with my choice, having looked at the X3 and Q5 too. Much better value for the money than the X3 and wanted the extra room of the XC60 compared to the Q5.

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  Great car for a long commute - 2016 Volvo XC60
  By Sam Brown - May 20 - 3:25 am

  I bought a 2016 XC60 T5 Premier in Flamenco Red with the Soft Beige leather interior. The only option is the BLIS package. I drive 160 miles a day, mostly on interstate. The XC60 is great on the highway: Smooth, fast enough, quiet, stable, and big enough to inspire confidence. I get about 28 MPG on the highway using regular gas. I generally cruise between 75 and 80 mph, and the XC60 is a fun, satisfying, soothing car to get home in. And while it’s not a sports car, the XC60 is also fun and comfortable on twisty back roads. It’s small enough to feel nimble and pointable—not at all trucky. I can’t compare it to an X3 or Q5, but it compares favorably to my previous Mazda3, especially given the Volvo’s different mission in life. Good steering feel, balance, grip, and braking. The seats are great once you get them right. That took some doing but now I have a great position saved in memory. The leather and other materials seem nice now, but a year-old used one I looked at had not held up well. It had done time in New Mexico—I’m hoping the heat was a factor. The only feature I would change is the start-stop system. It’s an interesting idea and sometimes works well, but more often is an annoyance. It should be permanently defeatable, instead of having to be turned off every time. I also think a back-up camera should be standard, especially from a company known for safety. And it’s a little more rattly than the Japanese cars I’ve owned, but I kind of expected that. Overall this is a great car for me right now. Comfortable, classy, fuel-efficient, satisfying to drive, and, as long as it’s reliable, I’m looking forward to my three daughters using up whatever’s left of it when I’m done.