2023 Volvo XC60

Overview

Elegant design and purposeful engineering combine in the 2023 Volvo XC60, and the result is a distinctive option in the luxury-SUV class. Along with its tastefully styled exterior, the XC60’s cabin is an exercise in well-tailored minimalism—think Prada meets IKEA. A trio of four-cylinder powertrains is offered—the 247-hp B5, the 295-hp B6, and the 455-hp T8 plug-in hybrid. All of are reasonably fuel-efficient and feel good from behind the wheel, with performance that ranges from perky to downright quick depending upon which powertrain you choose. Technology is prioritized too; Volvo includes popular driver-assistance and safety features standard. We don’t love the XC60’s Google-based infotainment interface, but it works well enough even if it doesn’t look particularly appealing. Other compact SUVs are more practical, especially the Audi Q5 and the BMW X3, which both offer more cargo space. But the Volvo’s interior room isn’t far off, and its strong curb appeal makes up for these minor shortcomings.

What’s New for 2023?

Gone are Volvo’s familiar Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription trim levels for 2023, replaced by Core, Plus, and Ultimate trims that are essentially identical. Core and Plus models can be had with either a Bright or Dark exterior theme, the latter of which switches exterior chrome bits for high-gloss black ones. New wheel designs are available and a few features have been shuffled around, such as the air suspension, which is now only available on the Ultimate trim. Two new colors, Black Stone and Bright Dusk Metallic, are available, and Blond City Weave cloth upholstery and Slate nappa leather have both been dropped.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

We enjoyed the 316-hp T6 powertrain’s peppy performance in our 2019 long-term XC60 test vehicle, so the similar 295-hp Plus B6 is our recommended buy. The extra cost versus the base Core trim is worth it here, with all sorts of features becoming standard. The Plus trim comes with prettier wheels, leather upholstery, a 360-degree camera system, and front and rear parking sensors.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Volvo offers three different powertrains—B5, B6, and T8—in the XC60, all mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Under the hood of base B5-badged XC60s are a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a 48-volt hybrid system making 247 horsepower. The B6 is powered by the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder as the B5, but a supercharger is added for more oomph. With 295 ponies in its stable, it feels a peppier than models with the base B5. The plug-in hybrid T8 powertrain borrows the B6’s engine and pairs it with a set of electric motors for a total of 455 horsepower in the Recharge models. The XC60 takes corners well, feels tied to the road while cruising, and changes directions with confidence, but doesn’t inspire hooliganism like the Porsche Macan. The ride can feel a touch harsh when driving over rougher stretches of road, but on smooth sections, it’s agreeable and calm.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

Going with either the Recharge or Polestar model makes the T8 plug-in hybrid powertrain standard, which carries a 32-mile electric-only driving-range estimate. The XC60 T8 can be charged at a public charging station or at home via 110- or 220-volt outlets, but Volvo also provides a handy feature that can juice the battery with energy generated from the SUV’s gasoline engine when needed.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA estimates that front-wheel drive B5 models should deliver 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The more powerful B6 carries ratings of 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. For more information about the XC60’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

With interior styling and rich materials that mirror more expensive Volvos, the XC60 is like having your kladdkaka and eating it, too. The quiet, comfortable cabin also provides adult-sized accommodations in both rows. Clean lines and high-quality materials add a distinctly Scandinavian flavor to the XC60’s cabin—and we’d expect nothing less from a modern Volvo. Decent cargo-hauling capability puts the XC60 mid-pack among its rivals in our testing; with its rear seats folded, we fit 20 of our carry-on suitcases. Interior cubby storage is limited, though, and the sole cargo-area bin is among the smallest we’ve measured.

Infotainment and Connectivity

All XC60 models come with a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display that runs Volvo’s latest Google-based software interface. The system provides several personalization options and offers voice controls via the Google Assistant. We’ve found the software interface to be quick to respond, but its menus take some getting used to. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard, as is Bluetooth connectivity and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot powered by a 4G LTE data connection.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Volvo’s commitment to safety is evident in the XC60, with driver-assistance features such as automated emergency braking and lane-keeping assist standard across the range. For more information about the XC60’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
• Available adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving mode

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Relative to its rivals in this segment, the XC60 has an appealing warranty policy. Three years of scheduled maintenance is a convenience that Volvo buyers won’t need to pay for separately, either.

• Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
• Hybrid components are covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles
• Complimentary scheduled maintenance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles

More Features and Specs

Source: www.caranddriver.com