When Volvo introduced the XC60 SUV for the 2009 model year it was the beginning of their
transition from a boxy wagon producer to a legit mainstream crossover player.
The XC60 has plenty of life in it as its next generation is readied for prime time.
Volvo’s customers have got to be confused by their nomenclature; a usage of alphanumeric
names steeped in the annoying European tradition.
But the XC60 gets a little easier to understand for the 2017 model year with the deletion
of the 5-cylinder engine option and the scrapping of the Drive-E designation.
Now, there’s one engine: a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder for which it is turbocharged in T5 trims and
turbo and supercharged in T6 trims.
T5 models can be specified in front-drive whereas T6 models come standard with all-wheel
drive.
The 6-speed gearbox is gone too, replaced across the board with the 8-speed automatic.
And lastly, trim levels such as Premier and Platinum have been replaced with names like
Dynamic, Inscription and R-Design.
All that being said, my tester is the XC60 T6 AWD Dynamic.
With black mirror caps, front and rear styling kit, specific 19” wheels and sport seats
– the Dynamic trim is presented for the customer seeking a sportier look whereas the
Inscription trim has a luxury bent.
This XC60 has been upgraded with these stellar 20” Altais rims for an even edgier appearance.
But keep in mind, the XC60 is no poseur.
With Land Rover DNA, over 9” of ground clearance and an innovative Swedish-based all-wheel
drive system the XC60 has the ability to get after it even if it’s marketed simply as
a premium crossover.
You sit tall behind the wheel for a commanding vantage point but with its higher center of
gravity there’s a sensation of it being a little top heavy during spirited driving.
These front seats don’t achieve Volvo’s usual level of awesomeness though they’re
still above average on the comfort scale.
The rear seats however shine, with sculpted cushions which actually hold you in place.
No slide or recline but everyone fits without issue and the panoramic roof extends back
enough to give it an airy feeling.
A turbo and supercharged 4-cylinder engine makes sure there's plenty of power from beginning
to end but it lacks some refinement, giving the T6 an on-off feeling as opposed to a smooth,
linear delivery.
So this trim level is better geared for the enthusiast driver and as such is rewarding
on the backroads with slick handling but for me, I'd be happier with the more fun to drive
and arguably as versatile V60.
302 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque is more than enough but some sort of drive
mode selector would work well here for times when you want to take it down a notch.
There is a Sport mode for the 8-speed and 3 settings for the electric assist steering,
but this is one instance where an Eco and/or Snow setting would work well.
You can get an Eco themed display among Sport and Elegant settings.
Expect about 22mpg on premium.
The ride is a little stiff for a Volvo, with these Pirelli Scorpions likely a contributing
factor but if you’re choosing the T6 you’ll likely be cool with that.
Volvo makes safety paramount and their City Safety low speed collision avoidance system
is standard as is the Blind Spot Information System.
The optional Advanced Package goes all in with a more sophisticated collision warning
system with full auto brake, adaptive cruise control with queue assist, pedestrian and
cyclist detection, lane departure warning, auto high beams, road sign information and
more…not bad for an aging vehicle.
The tech has remained relatively fresh too with Volvo’s On-Call smartphone app capable
of all kinds of remote functionality.
I also like how easy it is to control screen functions right from the steering wheel.
There’s also web connectivity and a Wi-Fi hotspot but the 3G connection is brutally
slow.
The T6 is priced from $47,345 and outfitted like this for $52,455.
A complete redesign is slated for the 2018 model year but until then, the XC60 is still
an alluring choice for those who prefer the more traditional SUV stance over one of Volvo’s
sneaky-fun wagons.