The 2018
Volvo XC60 is a new benchmark for small luxury SUVs. A full redesign
transformed the formerly semi-nice SUV into a full-blown luxury SUV able to go
head to head with the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, Audi Q5 and Lexus NX. I drove
multiple versions of the new XC60 at a preview event in Denver (per our ethics
policy, Cars.com pays for its airfare and lodging).
Related:
Volvo Confirms All-New XC40 Small SUV
Like its
bigger brother — the seven-seat Volvo XC90 that we named our Best of 2016 — the
five-seat XC60 is a whole new SUV compared with its predecessor. It's amazing
how much is shared between the XC60 and XC90: engines, a lot of the chassis,
much of the interior and most features. The XC60 feels like a mini-XC90, and
that's a good thing considering how gushy we get when we talk about the Best of
2016 winner we owned for a year. The kicker is that I think the XC60 is the
better buy if you don't need the third-row seat.
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Volvo XC60 DetailsFind a 2018 Volvo XC60 Near You
How It
Drives
The XC60
comes in three flavors: the T5 (250-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter
four-cylinder), the T6 with 316 hp from a supercharged and turbocharged
2.0-liter four-cylinder, and the T8 plug-in hybrid with a 313-hp supercharged
and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder paired with an electric motor and
battery pack to boost total output to 400 hp. These are the same engines as in
the XC90, but the XC60 is around 300 pounds lighter, so it was more responsive
and punchier in the T6 and T8 versions I drove. The XC60 accelerates quicker to
60 mph than the XC90 in every version, and not by a small measure: Volvo says
the XC60 T5, T6 and T8 hit 60 mph in 6.4, 5.6 and 4.9 seconds, respectively,
while the XC90's T5, T6 and T8 do it in 7.5, 6.1 and 5.3 seconds, respectively.
I didn't
observe a huge difference in passing power between the XC60's 316-hp T6 and
400-hp T8, though from a stop and at lower speeds, the T8 provides instant
acceleration and greater punch. Even though the T8 has a combined 84 more
horsepower than the T6, its hybrid innards add more than 500 pounds for a
4,599-pound curb weight versus the T6's 4,045 pounds. And as of publication,
there are no fuel-economy or electric range figures available for the T8,
though the T6 is rated at 21/27/23 mpg city/highway/combined; that's like other
four-cylinders in the class but with a little more punch from the meatier
2.0-liter.
The XC60's
ride quality recalls the XC90, firm but not uncomfortable with the optional air
suspension and adjustable firmness; Volvo didn't provide any
standard-suspension SUVs. The XC60 is a touch sportier than the XC90, with
firmer steering and tighter handling that makes it capable of managing mountain
roads without being out of place, but it doesn't attack corners like a BMW X4
M40i or Audi SQ5. Drivability isn't the XC60's greatest strength, though it's
perfectly respectable.
Top-Notch
Interior
The XC60's
greatest strength is the warm, stylish interior with enough high-quality
materials to give the best interiors in this class a run for their money,
including the Audi Q5 and pricier Porsche Macan. The optional soft Nappa
leather seats, genuine wood trim and all the sunlight that comes from the
standard panoramic moonroof create an airy, pleasant space in which to drive.
The interior mostly looks like the XC90 but with a new accent panel that runs
across the dashboard from door to door and can be appointed with real wood. The
wood, with grain you can feel, is accented by a matte aluminum-esque border;
both add a new dimension to an otherwise familiar interior.
The
backseat is more comfortable than the outgoing XC60's, with increased legroom
and a supportive seating position. Under the outboard cushions is a little
cavelike storage space for phones, tablets or other pocket items. It's unique
to the XC60, though I'm not convinced of its usefulness. Is it where your
devices are supposed to go when the battery dies? Because as with the XC90,
there are no USB ports in the backseat for device charging, only a single
12-volt cigarette-lighter-style outlet. To be fair, it's not a widely available
feature in the class, but rear USB ports aren't uncommon in non-luxury compact
SUVs like a Mazda CX-5 (and if you like luxury cars, the CX-5 is worth a look).
Technology
Like the
XC90, the XC60's technology game is strong with the optional semi-autonomous
Pilot Assist II that's a must-have feature for commuting in stop-and-go
traffic. The system keeps the XC60 centered in the lane more firmly than the
original Pilot Assist in our XC90, and there's greater resistance in the
steering wheel that gives it more of an autonomous feeling. Pilot Assist II
still requires hands on the wheel, but like before, the car brakes, accelerates
and provides steering assistance on gently curving roads to relieve the
tensions of heavy commuting.
Volvo's
huge, vertically oriented touchscreen is also a carryover from the XC90 and
works similarly, which means it requires a thorough dive into the owner's
manual to learn its capabilities and a lot of time fumbling around looking for
icons to get familiar with switching between audio sources or activating or
adjusting the car's many tech features — it's not something you instantly
understand and use. Still, the screen has a big cool factor and the resolution
is top-notch; once you're familiarized, it's an impressive and responsive
system.
Safety
The XC60's
starting price of $42,495 for a T5 is a bargain. It comes with that sweet
interior, all-wheel drive, panoramic moonroof and a host of standard safety
features, including forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking
that recognizes cyclists, pedestrians and large animals. There's also a lane
departure prevention system and backup camera. Optional equipment includes
blind spot warning, rear collision warning, cross-traffic alert and 360-degree
cameras. Top-down 360-degree cameras aren't uncommon, but the XC60's is one of
the best with its high resolution and large screen.
Worth the
Money?
I mostly
drove the high-end Inscription trim level on the T6 that starts at $49,695 and
adds navigation, a digital-display instrument panel, four-zone climate control
and more. The ones I tested with Pilot Assist, Nappa leather, the rocking
Bowers & Wilkins stereo, head-up display, blind spot monitoring and much
more tallied up to around $60,000. The XC60 can command $60,000 and still feel
reasonable considering the styling, quality and technology inside. It isn't any
less luxurious than the XC90, just smaller and less expensive. If you don't
need a third row, the XC60 is the way to go.
Source: Cars.com
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