Volvo is gearing as much as go absolutely electrical in Australia, however there’s nonetheless life left within the petrol XC60.
The XC60 and its V60 Cross Country wagon brother are the one fashions within the Volvo vary with out an electrical equal both on sale proper now, or coming quickly.
We all know one thing electrical is coming, however Volvo hasn’t stopped investing within the XC60 as we all know it. It’s lately been up to date with new, extra environment friendly 48V mild-hybrid engines and a revised vary of trims.
Sitting on the high – no less than, earlier than you begin trying on the plug-in hybrid – is the B5 Final Shiny on take a look at right here. With a protracted checklist of ordinary gear, it’s gunning for the BMW X3 and Audi Q5.
Is it the XC60 to purchase earlier than battery energy takes over?
How does the Volvo XC60 fare vs its rivals?
View an in depth breakdown of the Volvo XC60 in opposition to equally sized autos.
Volvo
XC60
How a lot does the Volvo XC60 value?
- 2024 Volvo XC60 Plus B5: $73,990
- 2024 Volvo XC60 Final B5 Shiny: $80,990
- 2024 Volvo XC60 Recharge Plus T8 Plug-in Hybrid: $92,990
- 2024 Volvo XC60 Recharge Final T8 Plug-in Hybrid: $101,990
Costs exclude on-road prices
The Volvo XC60 takes on a variety of luxurious mid-sized SUV rivals. You possibly can see the way it shapes up utilizing our comparison tool.
What’s the Volvo XC60 like on the within?
If you need consolation, the XC60 delivers.
We had the automotive by over the Christmas break, which implies numerous driving with numerous stuff within the boot. That’s the place this automotive excels.
Volvo does among the finest seats within the enterprise, and the XC60 is not any exception. There’s loads of assist for tall drivers, and it neatly balances long-haul assist with gentle cushioning. They’re heated and cooled within the B5 Final Shiny, and are trimmed in waxy leather-based.
The wooden lining the dashboard is a neat contact, and offers a pleasant distinction to the aluminium, carbon fibre, and gloss black plastic that dominate in German rivals. The pale leather-based and blonde wooden that’s additionally out there is even nicer, and feels suitably Scandinavian.
Tall or brief drivers will have the ability to get comfy behind the wheel, and the view over the bonnet is suitably commanding. Imaginative and prescient throughout is superb, thanks in no small half to the old-school profile – no sloping-backed coupe-crossover vibes right here.
Volvo’s change from the Sensus infotainment system to 1 based mostly on Google’s newest Android Automotive bones appears to be like small on the floor, as a result of a number of the graphics/menus are related. However the brand new setup is way sooner to reply, and has up-to-date Google Maps with reside site visitors.
You’re in a position to obtain Spotify on to the automotive, quite than plugging a cellphone in to make use of it, and it’s suitable with over-the-air updates so the characteristic set will frequently evolve. Hopefully it evolves to incorporate wi-fi Apple CarPlay in some unspecified time in the future.
I attempted operating with out Apple CarPlay, and as an alternative utilizing the native apps within the system for my three weeks behind the wheel. Spotify labored effectively, and Google Maps is superb… however I couldn’t make my favorite podcast app work the best way it actually wanted to, and lacking out on reside textual content messages by Siri was the final straw.
I lasted a few days earlier than cracking and plugging my cellphone again in. Whereas we’re whinging, lacking out on AM radio makes life laborious in rural Australia, the place FM reception is poor, DAB is difficult to come back by, and web connections are flaky.
The audio in our tester additionally stopped working at one level, and will solely be introduced again to life with a tough reset of the infotainment system. I’ve not heard about this concern from the few house owners I do know with a Volvo operating Android Automotive, nor have we seen it in some other Volvo testers.
Going through the motive force is a reasonably easy digital instrument binnacle. You’re given a selection between dials solely, or dials with a Google Map in between – however the automotive lacks the vary of choices out there elsewhere within the section, or in cheaper vehicles from the Volkswagen Group.
Storage space could use some work relative to newer rivals. The dual cupholders are good, but the wireless charger sits in an awkward spot if you have a large phone, and there’s less space for coins, keys, or garage clickers than in a BMW X3 or Mercedes-Benz GLC, or even the smaller XC40.
It’s something Volvo will need to address when the XC60 goes electric; the EX30 packs a very clever interior that maximises what limited space is on offer, so it’s safe to assume the EX60 will follow in those footsteps.
Rear seat area is respectable, however not class main.
The rear doorways open good and vast, making it straightforward to load a baby seat (or youngster), and the upright profile means you get loads of headroom. There’s sufficient area again there for adults to take a seat behind adults on lengthy journeys, too.
I took three six-foot passengers alongside the Nice Ocean Highway and there have been no complaints again there – and children will admire the rear local weather controls and air vents on scorching summer season days.
Dad and mom may even admire the inbuilt booster seats which let you seat children (aged round 5, as a information) with out loading an exterior seat in there. They’re a cinch to deploy, and are little doubt helpful if you happen to solely want to hold children sometimes.
Volvo provides you air vents on each the centre console and the pillars, which none of its rivals can match, and the twin USB-C factors will hold iPads charged on lengthy highway journeys.
Cargo capability in B5 fashions is quoted as 483 litres with the rear seats in use, increasing to 1430L with them folded flat.
It’s barely smaller than what you get in a BMW X3, but it surely’s not far off the mark. In typical Volvo trend it has a flat flooring and nets within the sides to maintain smaller gadgets safe. Below the ground is an area saver spare wheel.
What’s below the bonnet?
Mannequin | Volvo XC60 B5 |
---|---|
Engine | 2.0-litre turbo 4cyl petrol |
Energy | 183kW (5400-5700rpm) |
Torque | 350Nm (1800-4800rpm) |
Transmission | 8-speed computerized |
Pushed Wheels | All-wheel drive |
Weight | 1830kg (tare) |
Gas economic system (claimed) | 7.6L/100km |
Gas economic system (as examined) | 8.2L/100km (1250km, combined) |
Gas tank | 71 litres |
Octane ranking | 91 RON |
New to the XC60 is a 48V mild-hybrid system, which basically provides you a smoother start-stop in site visitors.
How does the Volvo XC60 drive?
At one level, Volvo wished to tackle BMW M with sporty vehicles fettled by its Polestar division. In 2024 although, Polestar is an electrical automotive model, and Volvo has given up on its sports activities automotive goals in favour of comfy cruisers.
That’s no dangerous factor; most patrons who desire a Volvo aren’t chasing tenths of a second on the college run.
Round city, the XC60 acquits itself effectively with mild steering that makes it straightforward to fit into tight parking areas, and a suspension tune designed to maintain pimply metropolis streets on the skin. The B5 Final continues to be one of many extra comfy luxurious SUVs in its class, however isn’t fairly as comfy as cheaper fashions driving on smaller wheels.
The petrol engine is {smooth} and fairly quiet at metropolis speeds. It’s clearly packing extra of a punch than the B4 we drove in 2023, providing a extra decided shove within the again if you’re in a rush, and has no hassle getting this hunk of Swedish metallic transferring even with a full contingent of passengers on board.
Put your foot down uphill at freeway speeds and it must drop a few gears to seek out the meat of the torque band, however there’s nonetheless loads of efficiency in reserve right here. There’s a little bit of engine noise within the cabin when you’re in a rush, but it surely’s not a foul noise.
With all of that mentioned, a diesel can be a pleasant choice to have if you happen to’re spending a very long time on the open highway.
The relaxed vibe pays dividends on the freeway, the place the XC60 is a really comfy cruiser. It hums alongside quietly on coarse-chip roads, and the gentle suspension tune means potholes and growth joints waft beneath the wheels.
It may possibly really feel a little bit bit floaty over massive crests and dips at 100km/h, taking one, two, three actions to cool down, however that is nonetheless a automotive you possibly can fortunately drive from Melbourne to Sydney.
Volvo’s driver help methods are neatly calibrated, from the assured lane-keeping to the smooth-moving adaptive cruise. Fairly than attempting to take over, they’re available to assist when required.
The place the XC60 wants work is on twisty roads. The place a BMW X3 or Audi Q5 will be hustled alongside rapidly with out falling aside, the Volvo doesn’t actually take pleasure in being rushed. The bouncy journey may have your head bobbing like a splash high toy on pimply b-roads, and the steering is sort of obscure.
Although the engine packs a solid punch, the transmission doesn’t have a sport mode. That means it’s constantly dropping out of the gear you want, forcing you to use the awkward gear selector to take charge manually.
Is the average owner going to care? Probably not, given the long list of things the XC60 does well.
But if you are grudgingly handing over the keys of your sports car for a family wagon, this won’t remind you of the good old days like an X3 is able to.
What do you get?
XC60 B5 Plus highlights:
- 19-inch diamond-cut alloys
- LED headlights with energetic bending
- LED entrance fog lights
- 9.0-inch Android Automotive infotainment system
- Satellite tv for pc navigation incl. Google Maps
- DAB radio
- Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- Digital Service, 4yr subscription
- Wi-fi smartphone charger
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Electrical tailgate
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Electrical entrance seats with reminiscence
- Energy-folding rear headrests
- Leather-based-accented upholstery
XC60 B5 Final Shiny brings:
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Head-up show
- Distinctive instrument panel show
- Heated entrance seats
- Heated steering wheel
Choices fitted to our tester included:
- Charcoal ventilated nappa leather-based and actual wooden dashboard trim: $3150
- Bowers and Wilkins high-fidelity audio system: $4300
- Tinted rear home windows: $750
- Panoramic sunroof: $3250
- Metallic paint: $2050
Is the Volvo XC60 secure?
Petrol variations of the Volvo XC60 put on a five-star ANCAP security ranking based mostly on Euro NCAP exams in 2017. Plug-in hybrid fashions stay unrated.
The XC60 scored 98 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 87 per cent for youngster occupant safety, 76 per cent for pedestrian detection and 95 per cent for security help.
Commonplace security options embrace:
- Adjustable pace limiter
- Adaptive cruise management incl. Pilot Help
- Energetic lane centring
- Cease&Go operate
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Ahead, Reverse
- Pedestrian, Bike owner, Animal detection
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic help
- 360-degree cameras
- Entrance, rear, aspect parking sensors
- Hill begin help
- Hill descent management
How a lot does the Volvo XC60 value to run?
Like the broader Volvo line-up, the XC60 is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, with eight years of complementary 24/7 roadside help.
Recharge fashions are additionally lined by an eight-year hybrid battery guarantee.
Volvo affords three- and five-year service plans for the XC60 vary, priced at $1750 and $3000 respectively. Scheduled upkeep is required each 12 months or 15,000 kilometres – whichever comes first.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Volvo XC60
We already know the XC60 is a sensible, comfy mid-sized SUV various to the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC.
This B5 Final Shiny is superbly put collectively, with a extra luxurious inside than the Plus we drove in 2023, but it surely’s not the XC60 we’d advocate.
By the point you add a couple of choices to the Final, it’s sitting side-by-side with a BMW X3 xDrive30i based mostly on value – and as pretty because the Volvo is, the BMW is a greater rounded mid-sized SUV.
With that in thoughts, the XC60 is finest loved in base B5 Plus guise. It’s nonetheless a beautiful place to spend time, and it nonetheless affords a punchy petrol powertrain and all-wheel drive, but it surely additionally represents glorious worth alongside its German rivals.
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BUY: Volvo XC60
MORE: Everything Volvo XC60