Volvo XC60 review

The XC60 has gone on to become Volvo's best-selling model, and the latest car will continue that trend. Like its big brother, the XC90, the XC60 takes a more comfort-oriented approach than its rivals, and that means it’s less dynamic than models like the Jaguar F-Pace and BMW X3.

However, it adds a level of tech and quality that beats most of its rivals, while space inside is good, too. In fact, the XC60 will be a very easy car to live with day-to-day. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine range includes D4 and B4 diesels, a B6 petrol, plus a T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid that offers excellent straight-line performance and big company car tax savings for business users.

Volvo is on a roll at the moment, and the current XC60 demonstrates what's so good about the company's latest range of cars. Volvo has long been known for its strong safety credentials, but the XC60 displays the company's latest design direction, with smart looks inside and out and a raft of technology on board to appeal to even the most tech-savvy buyer. But this hasn't come at the expense of practicality, and the XC60 is a versatile five-seat premium SUV that delivers comfort and luxury in a great package.

The second generation XC60 went on sale in 2017, replacing the Mk1 model which had become Volvo's best-selling car during its life. The Mk2 uses a scaled down version of the platform found under the XC90, and as a result has the same suspension and engine range as the seven-seater. As a result, the XC60 is a rival for premium compact SUVs such as the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Jaguar F-Pace, Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Land Rover Discovery Sport, among others.

Sticking with the XC90's platform means there are a range of 2.0-litre engines available, with, D4, B4 and B5 diesels and T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid models on offer. There are also B5 and B6 2.0-litre petrols with 250 and 300hp. The D4, B4 and B5 diesels are the same engine (there's no five-cylinder option), but with 190hp and 235hp respectively. The T8 takes this motor and adds an electric motor and battery pack, which not only allows the XC60 Twin Engine to drive on electricity for up to 33 miles, but also gives it a total power output of 385bhp, which gives the XC60 a sports car-baiting 0-62mph time of 5.3 seconds.

Apart from the B5 petrol models, all XC40s come with Volvo's AWD four-wheel drive as standard, and all versions come with six or eight-speed Geartronic autos, while the D4 can be had with the eight-speed version as an option.

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There are four XC60 trims: Momentum, R-Design, Inscription and Polestar Engineered. Even Momentum models are well equipped, but then prices start from around £38,000, which is a significant jump over the old XC60 and puts all models bar the entry-level versions above the £40,000 road tax threshold, meaning road tax is £465 (£455 for the T8) for the first five years you pay it. R-Design cars get a sportier look, while Inscription models are luxurious - all models up to Polestar Engineered can be upgraded with Pro kit that bundle desirable kit together in a more affordable package.

The XC60 is a front-runner in the compact premium SUV class, so much so that it was on the three-car shortlist for Mid-size Premium SUV of the Year at the 2019 Auto Express New Car Awards.

For an alternative review of the latest Volvo XC60 SUV visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk