Overview
Elegant design and purposeful engineering combine in the 2023 Volvo XC60, and the result is a standout choice in the luxury SUV class. Along with its attractively styled exterior, the XC60’s cabin is an exercise in well-tailored minimalism—think Prada meets IKEA. A trio of four-cylinder powertrains are offered—the 247-hp B5, the 295-hp B6 and the 455-hp T8 plug-in hybrid. All are reasonably fuel efficient and feel good from behind the wheel, with performance ranging from peppy to downright quick depending on the powertrain you choose. Technology is also prioritized; Volvo includes popular driver assistance and safety features. We don’t like the XC60’s Google-based infotainment interface, but it works well enough even if it doesn’t look very attractive. Other compact SUVs are more practical, notably the Audi Q5 and BMW X3, both of which offer more cargo space. But the Volvo’s interior space isn’t far off, and its strong curb appeal makes up for these minor shortcomings.
What’s New for 2023?
Volvo’s usual Momentum, R-Design and Inscription trim levels are gone for 2023, replaced by Core, Plus and Ultimate trims which are essentially identical. The Core and Plus models are available with either a Bright or Dark exterior theme, the latter swapping the exterior chrome bits for a high-gloss black one. New wheel designs are available and some features have been shuffled, such as 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 fabric upholstery and Slate nappa leather have been dropped.
Price and Which One to Buy
We enjoyed the spirited performance of the 316-hp T6 in our long-term 2019 XC60 test vehicle, so the similar 295-hp Plus B6 is our recommended buy. The extra cost over the base Core trim is worth it here, with all sorts of features coming standard. The Plus trim comes with nicer 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 the B5-badged XC60s is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a 48-volt hybrid system that produces 247 horsepower. The B6 is powered by the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder as the B5, but a supercharger is added for more oomph. With 295 horses in its stable, it feels more intense than the model with the base B5. The T8 plug-in hybrid powertrain borrows the B6 engine and pairs it with a set of electric motors for a total of 455 horsepower in the Recharge model. The XC60 takes corners well, feels tied to the road when cruising, and changes direction confidently, but doesn’t provoke hooliganism like Porsche Macan. The ride can feel a touch harsh when driving over rougher roads, but on smooth sections, it’s pleasant and quiet.
Range, Charging and Battery Life
Using either the Recharge or Polestar models makes the T8 plug-in hybrid powertrain standard, which brings an estimated electric-only driving range of 32 miles. The XC60 T8 can be charged at a public charging station or at home via a 110 or 220 volt outlet, but Volvo also provides a useful feature that can liquefy the battery with energy generated from the SUV’s petrol engine when needed.
Real World Fuel Economy and MPG
The EPA estimates that front-wheel drive B5 models should deliver 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The more powerful B6 carries a rating of 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. For more information on the XC60’s fuel economy, visit EPA website.
Interior, Comfort and Cargo
With interior styling and rich materials that mirror those of more expensive Volvos, the XC60 is like have your kladdkaka and eat it too. The quiet and comfortable cabin also provides adult-sized accommodation in both rows. Clean lines and high-quality materials add a distinctly Scandinavian feel to the XC60’s cabin—and we’d expect nothing less from a modern Volvo. Good cargo-carrying ability puts the XC60 mid-pack among its rivals in our test; with the back seat folded, we fit our 20 suitcases. Interior cubby storage is limited, and the cargo area’s single bin is among the smallest we’ve measured.
Infotainment and Connectivity
All XC60 models come with a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display running Volvo’s latest Google-based software interface. The system provides several personalization options and offers voice control via Google Assistant. We found the software interface to be quick to respond, but the menus took some time to get used to. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard, as are Bluetooth connectivity and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot powered by a 4G LTE data connection.
Safety Features and Driver Assistance
Volvo’s commitment to safety is evident in the XC60, with driver assistance features such as automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assist standard across the range. For more information on XC60 crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) website. Key safety features include:
- Standard automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane departure warning with lane keeping assist
- Adaptive cruise control is available with a semi-autonomous driving mode
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Compared to its competitors in this segment, the XC60 has an attractive warranty policy. Three-year scheduled maintenance is a convenience that Volvo buyers don’t have to pay for separately, either.
- The 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
- Free scheduled maintenance covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles
Specifications
Specifications
Volvo XC60 B6 AWD 2022
Vehicle Type: front engine, all wheel drive, 5 passenger, 4 door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $56,195/$65,890
ENGINE
turbocharged, supercharged, and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 120 in31969 sm3
Power: 295 hp @ 5400 rpm
Torque: 310 lb-ft @ 2100 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arm/multi-link
Brakes, F/R: 13.6-in vented disc/12.6-in vented disc
Tires: Pirelli Scorpion Zero All Season PNCS
255/40R-21 102V M+S VOL
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 112.8 inches
Length: 185.4 inches
Width: 74.9 inches
Height: 65.3 inches
Passenger Volume: 100 feet3
Cargo Volume: 26 feet3
Curb Weight: 4378 lb
C/D TEST RESULT
60 mph: 6.6 seconds
1/4-Mile: 15.0 seconds @ 93 mph
100 mph: 17.5 seconds
The above results leave a 1 foot launch for 0.3 seconds.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 7.2 seconds
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.2 seconds
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.6 seconds
Top Speed (gov ltd): 113 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 164 feet
Road grip, 300 ft Skid Pad: 0.86 g
C/D OIL ECONOMY
Observed: 20 mpg
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C/D TESTS EXPLAINED
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2022 Volvo XC60 T8 Polestar Extended Range
Vehicle Type: front engine, rear motor, all wheel drive, 5 passenger, 4 door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $71,095/$71,990
POWERTRAIN
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0 liter inline-4, 312 hp, 295 lb-ft + 2 AC motors, 46 and 143 hp, 111 and 228 lb-ft (combined output: 455 hp, 523 lb-ft; 14 .-kWh lithium-ion battery pack; 3.7-kW onboard charger)
Transmission, F/R: 8-speed automatic/direct drive
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arm/multi-link
Brakes, F/R: 15.7-in vented disc/12.6-in vented disc
Tires: Pirelli P Zero PZ4
255/40R-21 102V Extra Load VOL
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 112.8 inches
Length: 185.4 inches
Width: 75.4 inches
Height: 65.3 inches
Passenger Volume: 103 feet3
Cargo Volume: 30 feet3
Curb Weight: 4731 lb
C/D TEST RESULT
60 mph: 4.2 seconds
100 mph: 10.2 seconds
1/4-Mile: 12.6 seconds @ 111 mph
The above results leave a 1 foot launch for 0.2 seconds.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.7 seconds
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.5 seconds
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.2 seconds
Top Speed (gov): 113 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 165 feet
Road grip, 300 ft Skid Pad: 0.86 g
C/D OIL ECONOMY
Observed: 29 MPGe
75-mph Highway Driving, EV/Hybrid Mode: 60 MPGe/30 mpg
75-mph Highway Range, EV/Hybrid mode: 31/560 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 28/28/28 mpg
Combined Petrol + Electric: 63 MPGe
More Features and Specifications