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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  Throttle lag - 2015 Volvo XC60
  By William Stellin - July 23 - 5:05 pm

  My car has an unsafe throttle lag when starting up from a rolling or very slow speed. Ive almost been hit several times trying to get into heavy traffic. Dealer has had the car for 15 days over 3 visits. Fault codes say nothing is wrong and car is performing as designed. They will do nothing more. The car is unsafe and I want it fixed but dealer and factory says its ok. I say it is broken. I love all other aspects of the car. Problem started when the car was driven out of the dealer lot brand new. Service manager recognizes something is wrong but without computer proof can do nothing.

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  2010 XC60 - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Deborah Gura - July 16 - 5:03 am

  The 2010 Volvo XC 60 is a fabulous SUV - I am very satisified with my purchase. It is fun to drive - the turbo engine accelerates nicely. It has a stylish exterior and interior. Very comfortable seats. I purchased with the BLIS - blind spot system - I dont know how I lived without this feature on previous cars. Extremely comfortable seats - plenty of leg room and the panoramic moon roof is tinted so it allows light without making the car too hot.

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  Love it - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Kat - June 9 - 11:53 am

  Love the car and very comfortable. Its a luxury car with a reasonable price tag. I have Japanese cars all my life and this is my first European car. And I love my decision. It’s not too big or too small for a woman driver.

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  Volvo XC60 - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Hz2bred - June 5 - 10:13 pm

  After 3 days of driving our new XC60; the power steering went out. It took the dealership over 1 week to fix the problem and get the part. This model has been recalled 2 times since our purchase. In less than one year: a piece of the sunroof fell off and the rear wiper blade motor burned out. This has been a bit of a disappointing driving experience; especially when we spent over $40,000.00 on a car.

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  Eds Survey - 2015 Volvo XC60
  By Rosalie Goodsell - May 30 - 4:30 am

  Check in with Edmunds!

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  Good Riding XC60 - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Halllucy - May 19 - 8:33 am

  This is my third Volvo. I like the old Volvo "Box Style" and did not like any of the new Volvo "hatch-back" looking cars, so I bought the XC60 Crossover. However before the test drive, I was a bit hesitant because I dont like driving and looking down at other drivers. The test drive proved this was not an issue. I love my XC60. The only problems is the low gas mileage and AM radio reception.

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  Nice ride in the Rocky Mountains - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Dan - April 21 - 10:00 am

  This is the second Volvo and this one is the best. It has so many great features and is fun to drive. City Safety was tested on my car at the dealer, boy did it work as designed. Very comfortable seats front and back. lot more good cargo room compared to Infinity and the electronic features are easy to work. Bluetooth is clear as a land line and auto-sync when I get into the car. The safety features of the car really impressed me and i really feel safe. Very quiet ride, almost as quiet as the Lexus with little outside noise. Good ground clearance better by 3" over my Acura MDX and much better handling and tighter feel on the road. I really enjoy driving it. Very happy.

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  Loving the XC60 - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Rafael - March 12 - 2:33 pm

  First time Volvo buyer, and so far I love our new loaded XC60 T6, I did a lot of research and tested all its competitors, my wife and I loved the design and well rounded design of the car. I was not sure about the navigation system on the car based on reviews, but I was happily surprised on the way it works, I actually think that the controls are better position on the steering wheel compared to a touch screen based navigation.

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  stylish - 2017 Volvo XC60
  By floyd III - February 16 - 9:15 pm

  Ive own my 2017 xc60 about 3months, I really enjoy the safety and comfort. The ride is firm but not obtrusive, I enjoy the bluetooth for my music. im still getting use to the size of the vehicle as I came out of a Volvo s40. a long road trip is in the future. I just finished a 1000, mile trip gas mileage avg 24mpg and it runs on regular a plus. I love the great visibility and road handling. I now would recommend a Volvo XC60 to anyone looking for a great Suv this truck swallowed up all my luggage and great plus three additional adults in comfort.

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  Pretty but full of problems - 2013 Volvo XC60
  By weseaunhappy - December 31 - 2:15 pm

  Second XC-60 (should have learned lesson on the first one). Less than 2 months old and been to shop 5 times already. Last car should have been officially labeled lemon. This one, not quite as serious, but nonetheless time consuming for me. No compensation from Volvo for all my time and gas spent going to shop over and over and over. Even complaints to corporate Volvo get nowhere - they just repeat the misinformation the service dept spreads. How many times do you have to take a car in for the same problem? Anyway, I will never buy another Volvo. Too bad, it was pretty and fun to drive. Just wish the problems didnt persist.