2020 Volvo XC60 ReviewThe 2020 Volvo XC60 is an excellent choice for buyers primarily concerned with safety and class-leading interior comfort. More...
Autolist Editorial | October 29, 2020
Pros:
- Attractive luxury features give it an upscale look and feel.
- Three powertrain options.
- Quiet, smooth ride and responsive handling.
Cons:
- The Polestar model is quirky.
- Price can feel a little extreme for higher tier trim levels.
- Some features have a learning curve.
Would we buy one? Yes.
Vehicle Type: Four-door, five-seat luxury crossover SUV.
Price Range: The XC60 starts at MSRP $40,150, going to MSRP $52,650, before options. There is a $995 destination charge.
Powertrain: All non-hybrid models in the XC60 range have a T5 Turbocharged 2.0L, four-cylinder engine making 250-horsepower, and 258 lb-ft of torque.
A T6 Twin Charged supercharged four-cylinder engine making 316-horsepower with 295 lb-ft of torque is also available.
A T8 Twin-Engine hybrid powertrain making 415-horsepower and 495 lb-ft of torque is stock in the plug-in hybrid model.
All models have front-wheel-drive with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The models with T6 engine configurations have all-wheel-drive standard.
All-wheel drive is an additional cost for trim levels with the T5 engine configurations.
Competitors: BMW X3, Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, Acura RDX, Lexus NX.
Overall Score: 7.8/10
Safety Features: 8/10
Volvo prides itself on safety and the 2020 XC60 model year of luxury SUVs hit the mark. Standard features include front and rear collision mitigation, a parking assistance camera, a rear park assist feature, lane-departure warnings, led headlights, and automatic emergency braking are all included with the base model.
The R-Design and Inscription trim benefit from Pilot Assist, an advanced safety feature including adaptive cruise control, distance alert, traffic sign recognition, front parking assist, cross-traffic alert system, parking sensors, and a 360-degree surround-view camera for ultimate safety.
The XC60 was awarded Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, making it an extremely safe vehicle on par or exceeding its rivals.
Value: 8/10
The 2020 model year of the Volvo XC60 luxury SUV sits comfortably in the middle between its siblings, the more compact XC40 and bigger XC90, of the range.
Trim levels include Momentum, Inscription, R-Design, and a gas-electric plug-in hybrid, the Polestar Engineered.
The entry Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum model starts at $40,150. The XC60 T6 configuration
Pricing starts at $46,850 for the R-Design and $52,650 for the Inscription.
Finally, the sporty T8 plug-in hybrid Polestar Engineered variant starts at hefty pricing just shy of $70,000.
AWD, options, and engine configurations will increase the cost for all models.
For the money, the T5 R-Design, and more upscale T5 Inscription pack in a bit more of everything than the economical XC60 T5 Momentum. The R-Design and Inscription trim level in the line up get the standard features that Volvo enthusiasts have come to expect, including refined interiors and exteriors, a robust infotainment system, and superior performance.
The stock perforated Nappa leather, four-zone climate control, roof rails, and other perks of the higher tier trims are worth considering for the extra cost.
Tech Features: 7/10
Tech in the XC60 got a bump for 2020 with a digital gauge cluster in all models.
The base Momentum trim includes power-adjusting seats, audio system, Bluetooth, two-zone climate control, the Sensus Connect system with a 9.0-inch touchscreen loaded with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The R-Design and Inscription get a power liftgate that is very useful for loading heavy items. A 12.3-inch driver information display and navigation features are user-friendly and excellent additions making the XC60 a well-rounded compact SUV with good connectivity and tech features in the segment.
Practicality: 8/10
Storage is decent in the XC60 but does feel a little underwhelming compared to rivals in the segment. The rear seats do fold down to give 63.3 cubic feet of cargo space.
Both front and rear seats are comfortable leather across all trims, and entry/exit is a breeze. Volvo does pay attention to ergonomic details and adds lumbar support and power-adjustable seats to help get a comfortable fit for people of all sizes. With five seats, this SUV works well for small families that have children.
Storage compartments, a center console, and netted pockets throughout the cabin help manage small-item storage.
Styling & Design: 9/10
Volvo made leather upholstery standard for all the 2020 XC60 trims, adding luxury to even the entry-level Momentum trim. The front seats are heated and cooled by touchscreen.
When it comes to design and style, Volvo doesn't cut corners. Luxury touches like the thicker, leather-wrapped steering wheel on the R-Design are welcome perks that add an opulent hand feel.
The exterior of the XC60 is handsome, with a wide array of rich available colors.
Driving Experience: 8/10
The Momentum, Inscription, and R-Design all come with a T5 or T6 turbo powertrain options, while the Polestar variant boasts the beefier T8 that kicks out more power.
A supercharger adds some aggression to the otherwise tame T6 engine. The 8-speed automatic transmission is smooth and shifts gears effortlessly. Trim levels with AWD hug the road better than the standard FWD.
The self-leveling adaptive air suspension option is sublime and makes bumps and holes much smoother.
A note about the Polestar Engineered variants plug-in electric hybrids independent front inline-4 and a rear electric motor: They can feel laggy and disconnected at times. Overall, handling and steering are nicely executed in the Polestar thanks to a solid chassis that takes cornering nimbly. Plus, the addition of some Öhlins manually adjustable suspension dampers that have 22 settings adds another level of performance.
Fuel Efficiency: 8/10
The Momentum, Inscription, and R-Design all come with a T5 or T6 turbo powertrain options, while the Polestar variant boasts the beefier T8 that kicks out more power.
A supercharger adds some aggression to the otherwise tame T6 engine. The 8-speed automatic transmission is smooth and shifts gears effortlessly. Trim levels with AWD hug the road better than the standard FWD.
The self-leveling adaptive air suspension option is sublime and makes bumps and holes much smoother.
A note about the Polestar Engineered variants plug-in electric hybrids independent front inline-4 and a rear electric motor: They can feel laggy and disconnected at times. Overall, handling and steering are nicely executed in the Polestar thanks to a solid chassis that takes cornering nimbly. Plus, the addition of some Öhlins manually adjustable suspension dampers that have 22 settings adds another level of performance.
