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:

• 

  My 2nd XC 60 - 2012 Volvo XC60
  By stlhd - December 22 - 5:50 pm

  Wow! We are impressed... Our first one was a 20091/2 XC 60. After buying it, I was actually complaining about this and that X 15 despite the many safety advantages. This 12 R Design Polestar upgrade has more than just the engine improved. All areas have been reviewed and improved, including the gas mileage, comfort, power (325 HP/354 lbs torque), ride quality, brakes and even air leaks. I could go on but the actual 10K price hike was to us worth every penny.

• 

  Do Your Homework - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Henryh. - December 22 - 3:10 am

  I dont understand people buying this vehicle then complaining about the gas mileage or the poor nav system. Do your homework. Online customer and editor reviews are everywhere - edmunds, kbb, others. Everyone complains about the poor gas mileage and nav, so you should know this going in. Ive had my T6 for 3 weeks now and absolutely love it. I got climate & convenience packages, power roof. Its smooth, quiet, corners very well, quick off the line and passing on the highway. Size is perfect to throw the dog in back or load up on Costco runs. Now I know why it was named Truck of the Year at the LA Auto Show.

• 

  Great Experience so far. - 2012 Volvo XC60
  By outdoorzdude - December 10 - 8:42 pm

  Only have 4000 miles so far but we love the car. After intially taking delivery in Sweden via the Volvo Overseas Delivery Program and visiting Europe for two weeks, we couldnt wait to get the car back and get rid of the BMW. Very luxurious and features on par w/ other luxury brands we shopped. Lots of room for the kids and has that great european feel. Averaging about 25 MPG as advertisied, doing mostly highway driving.

• 

  Still loving it! - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By geckoxv - December 10 - 2:24 am

  I believe I researched, test drove and compared every SUV on the market. I eventually decided on the Volvo XC60. The Volvo brand has always meant quality and safety. However, when looking at BMW X5, Lexus or Mercedes the same things can be said. The decision was made when I test drove and the $$ was discussed. The test drive blew me away. I felt that the XC60 was everything I was looking for and more.

• 

  A Safe, Comfortable, Practical Luxury Car - 2016 Volvo XC60
  By Tom Keenan - October 20 - 4:05 am

  My vehicle priorities have included safety, comfort, durability/fuel economy, and carrying capacity (cargo, dogs etc.), in about that order. This is our 4th Volvo since 1990. The other 3 were wagons (a 240 and 2 V70s). The last one we bought now is about 12 years old with over 220K miles; until this past month it has required little more than routine maintenance but now it is starting to show its age. Good price incentives in July encouraged me to buy new. I chose the XC60 over another 70 series mostly for the styling and extra ground clearance in the XC60, and because cargo capacity isnt as big a priority for us anymore. The XC60 is a very comfortable car with supportive front seats and enough leg, shoulder and head room for my above average male body size. The drive-e engine delivers surprisingly good fuel economy for a car this heavy, yet acceleration also is more than adequate for my needs. The leather seats are beautiful, although I would have preferred the cloth upholstery that has held up so well in my old V70 for 12 years. Another thing I miss is the fold-flat front passenger seat in the V70, which allowed me occasionally to carry long items such as lumber (but then, I wouldnt want to do that in a car this nice). The infotainment system keeps me entertained and informed with more choices than I really need. Its a little more complicated than I would have preferred and Im afraid it will seem dated within a few years. The "premier" version is nicely equipped as-is, without adding expensive options. If youre comparing alternatives, Subaru is another (less expensive) make Id consider, especially if you want AWD. Volvo prices seem to run lower than youd pay for most Lexus, Audi, BMW or Mercedes models (unless you get into the bigger, more expensive 90 series, which wouldve been more than we need).

• 

  BLIS Problem - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Steve Auyer - October 14 - 10:00 am

  After 3 trips to the dealer when they insisted the RH BLIS was working properly, I complained to VolvoCars USA in NJ. That got teir attention. The dealer kept the car for 2 days and finally diagnosed a failed RH BLIS camera. Their software showed no diagnostics so they insisted the camera was working properly. It was only after being pressured by VolvoCars USA that they took the time to find and repair the problem

• 

  Great Vehicle - 2016 Volvo XC60
  By Shaneel Sharma - September 25 - 8:41 pm

  Great car with a lot of features. The 6cyl turbo has awesome power and gets this up and going quick, unfortunately they replaced it an eco engine for the newer models.

• 

  VOLVO XC60 T6 DYNAMIC, 2017 - 2017 Volvo XC60
  By Al.Usr - September 10 - 10:55 am

  Good mid size SUV, but $$$! Pros: all-wheel-drive, four-cylinder engines is powerful, regular gas a big plus, good MPG for this size, cabin is comfortable. Good road handling and modest cargo space. Cons : Noisy drive, hard suspension, small display screen for navigation and system control, outdated knob operated, is not touch screen and isnt user friendly. feels less luxurious than the same $$$ rivals.

• 

  Love this car - 2012 Volvo XC60
  By xc60sjca - August 19 - 9:58 am

  I purchased the 2012 XC60, T6, Platinum, Climate, and BLIS. I truly enjoy driving this car. The build quality, interior comfort, and exterior styling are what drew me to this vehicle. I did have this car upgraded to the Polestar improved performance. This dramatically increases torque and hp. I see a huge difference and I love it. I would recommend it for performance, absolutely. I would not recommend it for its value. It is an expensive "add-on". I did get a significant discount from the dealer, and I love the driving experience it provides. The interior very high quality. I really do not like the display in the instrument cluster. They are very dated. Volvo should use high res

• 

  Impressed so far . . . - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By MaxLoad - July 30 - 12:23 am

  Its only been a couple of days since I took ownership of the XC60, but Im extremely satisfied so far. The car has good pick-up, a nice ride, and pretty decent handling. The biggest drawback so far is the navigation system.