At Kelley Blue Book we're big fans of the midsize Volvo XC90 SUV. What happens
when you take that XC90 brilliance and shrink it down a little bit? You get that.
Spawned from the XC90's core structure the XC60 is aimed at premium compact
SUVs like the Mercedes-Benz GLC, BMW X3 and Lexus NX. But, of course, the XC60 has
something those cars don't. It's Swedish! An inescapable fact reinforced not only
with little Swedish flags but also with the XC60's...well...everything. If you
guessed the interior would express a stark but inviting simplicity you get a
gold star. The XC60 doesn't just look nice, it feels
nice with excellent material quality throughout, though the matte plastic
around the center console seems prone to scratching. Front passengers are treated
to a primo view of this lovely dash. Along with well-contoured seats featuring
standard memory and glorious power lumbar support, there's also plenty of
space for luggage in the xc60's decently sized, square cargo hold. Drop the seats and
you've got more than 60 cubic feet to fill. Spring for the optional adaptive
air suspension and the vehicle will even politely lower itself for easier loading.
There's also a storage spot underneath the rear seats, more of a slot, that was a
secret...until right now.
Yeah, yeah the shoot's going great!
Like its XC90 sibling the XC60 offers three alpha-numerically titled powertrains,
each sporting a mostly transparent 8-speed automatic
transmission. A T5 badge means there's a decently quick 2-liter turbocharged
four-cylinder under the hood, while T6 denotes the addition of a supercharger,
which brings with it a notable bump in power. At the top of the metaphorical
heap sits the T8 plug-in hybrid, which
basically uses the T6 setup to spin the front tires and a lithium-ion battery
pack and electric motor to power the rears. Between the electric and gasoline
bits this oddly powerful hybrid can run from 0 to 60 miles per hour in around 5
seconds and covers 18 miles without using gasoline. Speedy tree-hugging aside
the T8 suffers from touchy, artificial feeling brakes. If you find no greater
joy in life then imperceptibly gliding to a stop,
stick with the T5 or the T6. Also, maybe get a cooler hobby. For urban parking
adventures the XC60's light, quick steering works really well. Easy. This is
a lot of unnecessary steering but I'm in the lines. In a more open
setting that light steering feels a little numb. Nonetheless the well-tuned
chassis delivers confident handling and more than agreeable ride quality.
The XC60 lineup is divided into three trims, base Momentum, the sporting
R-Design, and the luxurious Inscription. In simplest form
the Volvo XC60 T5 momentum comes with all-wheel-drive, leather, LED headlights,
dual-zone automatic climate control, an awesome high-resolution backup camera
that makes most other backup cameras look like junk and a panoramic moonroof
that really opens up the interior. All for about forty two and a half thousand
dollars. Also standard is a Sensus 9-inch infotainment system with a functional
clutter free, dare I say, Swedish layout. Sensus also comes standard with Apple
CarPlay and Android Auto but unlike some similar systems Volvo's smartphone
integration doesn't completely take over the infotainment screen when they're in
use. Well done, Volvo. Also thanks for including a microfiber to clean the
smudge prone screen. Higher up the food chain the T6 Momentum starts closer to
$46,000 while the T8 Momentum plug-in hybrid checks in around
$54,000. That might seem pricey but the T8 is also eligible for a $5,000 federal
tax incentive, effectively dropping its price to $49,000. For a mere $3,000
more than the T6 the faster, more-efficient T8 is a
comparative bargain. Among the enticing features available to XC60 buyers are
ventilated and massaging nappa leather seats, heated front and rear seats,
keyless access, which this particular XC60 does not have, a $3,200 1,400-watt
Bowers & Wilkins audio system, and optional adaptive cruise
control with pilot assist. That last feature is a semi autonomous system that
helps manage speed and steering in traffic jams but sadly does not free the
driver from their responsibility to drive. Sorry, that life-altering tweet
will have to wait.
If you know one thing about Volvo is that they're Swedish but if you know two
things about Volvo that second thing is that Volvo loves safety. To that end the
XC60's standard safety roster includes six airbags,
lane-keeping assist, Volvo's city safety automatic braking system with pedestrian
and large animal detection, oncoming lane mitigation, which can automatically steer
the vehicle away from a head-on collision, and rear collision warning
that can flash the brakes to alert approaching vehicles and tighten the
xc60 seatbelts if a collision is unavoidable. If you like safety as much
as Volvo consider added cost options like blind spot monitoring, backup
sensors, cross traffic alert, a 360 degree camera system, a fuss free
automatic parking system, or dynamic headlights with automatic high beams.
When similarly equipped prices for the Volvo XC60 stack up well with a
competitive set that includes the BMW X3, Audi Q5, Cadillac XT5 and perhaps the
Jaguar F-Pace or Alfa Romeo Stelvio if you're feeling exotic. Depending on how
much value you place on branding parking a BMW or Cadillac in your driveway might
be more exciting than rocking a Volvo. Go the other direction and the funds you'd
commit to buying an XC60 could secure a much roomier, well-equipped mainstream
midsize SUV like the Honda Pilot, VW Atlas, or Buick Enclave. But if you want a
premium SUV in a compact package the XC60 is a great choice. Like all Volvos,
its appeal hinges partly on its esoteric, Swedish charm.
But that's not the whole story. The XC60 is also a fine driving,
comfortable, and stylish SUV. And hey, if you need more justification for your
purchase remember, it's also super safe. You're welcome.