The Volvo XC60 SUV was partly a follow up to the larger – and hugely successful – first-generation Volvo XC90, which had perfectly blended the virtues of a large SUV, and a seven-seat MPV, with the traditional Volvo estate.
Launched in 2008, the XC60 was smaller than the XC90, with ‘only’ space for five. It was cheaper, too, and it aimed to use Swedish style to encourage drivers out of their BMW X3s, Audi Q5s and Land Rover Freelanders. And it worked, selling in large numbers. In fact, when the second-generation model came along, buyers were still flocking to the original XC60. 2016 was the best sales year for first-generation XC60s, despite the SUV having been on sale for eight years.
Being a Volvo, safety has always been a big selling point for the XC60, with adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning systems and multiple airbags all available. The model was also a pioneer of autonomous emergency braking systems, with the City Safety feature automatically helping to prevent low-speed urban collisions. Though these systems are commonplace in the 2020s, they were seriously cutting-edge tech in the late 2000s.
Power came from a range of petrol and diesel engines, though the vast majority of cars sold were diesel-powered. Hybrid technology appeared with mk2 cars, first with T8 plug-in hybrid Twin Engine models (later rebadged as ‘Recharge’), and then with mild hybrid tech in 2019.
Volvo XC60 Generations
Volvo XC60 mk2 (2017-)
Bodystyles:
- Five-door SUV
Notable features and facelifts of the Volvo XC60 mk2 :
- Four-cylinder engine range uses the same basic block whether powered by diesel or petrol
- Uses Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, which means its engines and most of its mechanicals are shared with the larger Volvo XC90
- Voted ‘World Car of the Year’ in 2018
- Range refreshed with mild-hybrid power from 2019
- Facelift in 2021 with new infotainment
The second-generation Volvo XC60 was launched in 2017, intent on mirroring the success of the first model. Volvo dispensed with the five-cylinder and six-cylinder engines, and moved more towards fuel economy and electrification. Just four-cylinder engines were used.
The interior of the new XC60 was undoubtedly one of its star turns. There are comparatively few switches and buttons, and the dashboard is dominated by a classy-looking portrait-style touchscreen. But although the Sensus infotainment system looks great, some of the functions can be a bit fiddly to use.
Overall, though, the interior feels light, luxurious and airy, with a mixture of high-quality leather and wood inserts on Inscription cars, or metal if you opt for one of the sporty XC60 R-Design trim levels.
At the top of the range, you’ll find the XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered which, with 399bhp, is one of the most powerful Volvo models ever produced. It’s also a plug-in hybrid, so can run on purely electric power for short distances.
There are two other plug-in hybrid powertrains beyond the XC60 Polestar in the range: the T8 Twin Engine and T6 Twin Engine (later renamed the T8 and T6 Recharge). These feature both a turbocharger and a supercharger as well as an electric motor.
Beyond the plug-in models, the XC60 mk2 was offered initially with 251bhp T5 turbocharged petrol power, or 187bhp D4 and 232bhp D5 diesel power. All engines are 2.0-litres in capacity.
Most models are front-wheel drive; only the plug-in hybrid cars get all-wheel drive (AWD). You'll get the best MPG from the PHEV models, but all XC60s provide impressive fuel economy.
In early 2019, the range was refreshed with the addition of mild-hybrid power in the form of the B5 P and B6 P petrol hybrids, and B4 D and B5 D diesel mild hybrids. In 2021, Volvo phased out all non-hybrid options from the XC60 range. Transmissions are either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic.
In 2021, the interior received a makeover, with an upgraded 12.3-inch digital driver’s display and a new Android-powered infotainment system. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring is available for all XC60 models.
Volvo XC60 mk2 review
Volvo XC60 mk1 (2008-2017)
Bodystyles:
- Five-door SUV
Notable features and facelifts of the Volvo XC60 mk1:
- The XC60 mk1 marked the debut of Volvo’s ‘City Safety’ autonomous emergency braking technology
- Developed when Volvo was owned by Ford, and shares engineering with the third-generation Ford Mondeo and second-generation Land Rover Freelander
- Economy and emissions focus of DRIVe models meant that these models, available from 2009, were early adopters of two-wheel drive for a larger SUV body style
As is common with SUVs of the late 2000s and early 2010s, the vast majority of mk1 XC60 models sold were diesel-powered. In fact, the only petrol models were the XC60 T5 and XC60 T6, both of which sold in handfuls, even though overall the XC60 mk1 is one of the most popular premium SUVs of its time. If you can find one, the 3.0-litre six-cylinder T6 (with either 281bhp or 300bhp) is a smooth and refined engine, but thirsty on fuel.
Diesel models are much more frugal and range from the 161bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel D3 to the 212bhp, twin-turbo, five-cylinder D5 (though earlier versions had 182bhp or 202bhp).
Inside, the Volvo XC60 mk1 features the ‘floating console’ dashboard styling that’s shared with other contemporary models in the Volvo range, most notably the S60/V60 saloon and estate and the Volvo V40 hatchback.
The dash design itself is a bit button-heavy, but this was improved in 2014 with the introduction of a 7.0-inch touchscreen that Volvo called Sensus Connected Touch.
Petrol-powered models come with a six-speed Geartronic automatic gearbox, while diesel models either get a six-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual. The first XC60 was available with both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
Trim options for the XC60 start with the S – which gets climate control, cruise control and alloy wheels – before moving up to the SE (auto wipers, electric seats), SE Lux (parking sensors and heated leather seats) and the R-Design (which gets 18-inch alloys, sporty suspension and a sporty bodykit).
Volvo XC60 mk1 review
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