2019 Volvo XC60 Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byTravis LangnessReviews Editor

　　Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.

　　

What's new

Heated wiper blades and seats (AWD only), power child locks, and a rear 12-volt outlet added to base trimR-Design and Inscription add 14-speaker stereo, blind-spot monitoring, keyless entry and drive, power-folding rear outer head restraints, and a parking assistance systemConvenience, Vision, and Climate packages replaced with similar Premium, Multimedia and Advanced packagesPart of the second Volvo XC60 generation introduced for 2018

　　The 2019 Volvo XC60 is one of the strongest contenders in the luxury SUV segment. It has abundant passenger space, an updated interior with attractive design, and easy-to-use infotainment interfaces. And under the hood, three different powertrains offer varying levels of performance and fuel efficiency, regardless of what trim level you choose.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$188/mo  for XC60 T5 Momentum

　　XC60 T5 Momentum

　　T5 Momentum 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $39,200 MSRPT6 Momentum 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger 8A) - $44,900 MSRPT5 R-Design 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $46,050 MSRPT5 Inscription 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $46,550 MSRPT6 R-Design 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger 8A) - $51,750 MSRPT6 Inscription 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger 8A) - $52,250 MSRPT8 Momentum Twin Engine Plug-In Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $52,900 MSRPT8 R-Design Twin Engine Plug-In Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $59,750 MSRPT8 Inscription Twin Engine Plug-In Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $60,250 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　Under the hood are three different versions of the same four-cylinder engine. One is turbocharged, another is turbocharged and supercharged, and the third is a plug-in hybrid. What's best is that buyers can pair any of these powertrains with any trim level, meaning no powertrain-equipment-level combo is off the table.

　　As for the equipment, the XC60 comes with the tech you'd expect in this segment, such as dual-zone climate control, an attractive 9-inch infotainment display, and standard support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also gets safety technology such as road-departure mitigation, lane keeping assist and a drowsy-driver warning system. From there, the options stack up nicely too, with lots of functional and aesthetic add-ons.

　　While the XC60 is an easy recommendation, we should note some drawbacks. For starters, the driving experience isn't as sporty as it is in some competitors, and the cabin isn't as insulated from noise. Those definitely aren't deal-breakers, though, and we'd certainly recommend anyone in the market for a luxury SUV take the 2019 Volvo XC60 for a spin.

　　Notably, we picked the 2019 Volvo XC60 as one of zzdcar' Best Family Cars and Best Family Cars, the 2019 Volvo XC60 Hybrid as one of zzdcar' Best Family Cars as well as the 2019 XC60 T8 as one of zzdcar' Best Family Cars and as one of the Best Family Cars for this year.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

8.0 / 10

　　While Volvo may be a bit of an underdog among luxury automakers, the 2019 XC60 is a class leader among luxury, five-passenger SUVs. The XC60 has multiple appealing powertrains, a vast array of standard and optional safety features, and a handsome design both inside and out.

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Volvo XC60 T6 AWD (turbo- and supercharged 2.0L inline-4 | 8-speed automatic | AWD).

　　NOTE: Since this test was conducted in 2018, the current XC60 has received some minor revisions related to the names of options packages and optional equipment. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's Volvo XC60, however.

　　

Scorecard

Overall	8.0 / 10
Driving	7.5
Comfort	8.0
Interior	8.0
Utility	8.5
Technology	8.5

　　

Driving

7.5

　　The T6 trim achieves the best balance of power and dynamics of all the available XC60 models. No one should be disappointed with the amount of power on tap, and the brakes deliver smooth yet responsive stopping performance. It's not the sportiest in the segment, but it's a solid midpack contender.

　　

Acceleration

7.5

　　The twin-charged four-cylinder provides sufficient thrust, even if it isn't quite as fast as Volvo claims. We hit 60 mph in just 6.1 seconds, which is comparable to times from the competition with turbo four-cylinder engines. Nobody's going to have issues with the power on tap to get up to speed.

　　

Braking

8.5

　　The brakes are nice and easy to modulate with a linear pedal feel and the perfect amount of initial bite. Under heavy braking, they are stable and consistent and are able to stop the XC60 in 114 feet, which matches results from the segment leaders equipped with all-season tires.

　　

Steering

6.5

　　The steering feels a little sensitive at highway speeds, which requires micro-corrections from the driver. But it's also more lively at lower speeds and as precise as you'll ever need. With today's technology, Volvo should be able to tune the steering for all instances, and it falls a bit short.

　　

Handling

7.0

　　In Comfort mode, the XC60 returns a lot of body movement over bumpy pavement and through turns. In Dynamic, the car feels more buttoned-down, though the large panoramic sunroof makes it feel a little top-heavy. The optional air suspension is far from clumsy, but some rival systems are superior.

　　

Drivability

7.5

　　The engine can surge a little at times while at partial throttle, likely when there's engine boost being generated two ways. The transmission for the most part is very responsive, and only on a couple of occasions it took more time than expected to downshift and accelerate.

　　

Off-road

7.5

　　The XC60 has an off-road mode, which raises the suspension almost 2 inches when equipped with the optional air suspension. Still, with the extra ground clearance, the XC60 isn't meant for hardcore off-road duty but should handle inclement weather without issue.

　　

Comfort

8.0

　　Seating comfort is a strong point of the XC60 thanks largely to highly adjustable and massaging seats and soft-padded surfaces. The four-zone climate control is also a rather luxurious feature on this Inscription model, though Volvo hasn't quite optimized the air suspension for ride comfort.

　　

Seat comfort

9.0

　　The XC60 has excellent seats, and it is currently the only one in its class to offer an optional massage function. The cushions have the right amount of firmness and front heat and ventilation, and functions work well. Adjustments are wide-ranging so it helps to have a touchscreen menu for guidance.

　　

Ride comfort

6.5

　　Even in its softest suspension setting, the optional air suspension isn't very effective at filtering out high-frequency road vibrations. The ride isn't harsh, but we'd call it a little busy for a luxury SUV. The large 20-inch wheels that come with the Inscription trim could be partly to blame.

　　

Noise & vibration

7.5

　　Some road and wind noise permeates the cabin, but not to a distracting degree. At low speeds the supercharger whine becomes audible. Not exactly a refined luxury sound, but it isn't off-putting either. There are quieter cabins, such as the Mercedes GLC's, but overall the XC60 is quieter than many.

　　

Climate control

8.0

　　The climate control is very effective at keeping cabin temps pleasant. Adjusting temps and fan speed for front and rear zones is straightforward and elegant. Our one gripe is the system is slow to load on startup, and you have to cycle through all seat heating/cooling settings to turn them off.

　　

Interior

8.0

　　With rotary dial controls the new norm, we're surprised Volvo was able to make the touchscreen work as well as it does. The cabin is pretty spacious, with the exception of a panoramic sunroof eating up a little headroom. Still, Volvo went above expectations with regard to visibility.

　　

Ease of use

8.0

　　The infotainment is intuitive and user-friendly, responding to swipe and pinch gestures like those for a smartphone. Response times are good. The gauge cluster controls are a little less straightforward but ultimately easy to use. Function follows form.

　　

Getting in/getting out

6.0

　　The doors open fairly wide, but the step-over could prove a little high for shorter passengers. The front windshield is raked back a fair amount, so head clearance is somewhat sacrificed and taller folks might have issues. The rear door openings are squared-off and don't pose these issues.

　　

Driving position

8.0

　　With a ton of seat adjustability and a good amount of range in the adjustable steering column, there are few drivers who won't be able to find a good driving position. We could use a little more tilt functionality for the bottom cushion, but that's nearly a non-issue.

　　

Roominess

7.5

　　The front seats have a fair amount of legroom and seat width, but the panoramic sunroof that's standard on all models eats up some headroom. Backseat accommodations are quite good across the board, and even middle seat comfort isn't too compromised, so it should work for three average-size adults.

　　

Visibility

9.0

　　Volvo did its homework. The front pillars are narrow in the right plane, with a space between the sideview mirror so that critical 45-degree view isn't obstructed. The generous window space in the back, the power-folding rear headrests and the optional 360-degree cameras make life easy.

　　

Quality

8.5

　　Volvo really elevated its build quality with this XC60 generation. It's not quite up to Mercedes level, but it's definitely a step above BMW and Jaguar. The interior materials feel of quality, and there's real craftsmanship to some pieces, specifically the wood trim in this Inscription model.

　　

Utility

8.5

　　Utility is another strong area for the XC60 thanks to a generous cargo area and smart configuration options. If you have the optional air suspension, you can impress your friends by lowering the car from the tailgate area.

　　

Small-item storage

8.0

　　In-cabin stowage is decent for a luxury vehicle. The felt, rubber-lined door pockets keep loose items from causing noise and will hold a larger water bottle. A modest center armrest bin with two USB ports is good for phones. Rear storage is limited to a small door pocket and a shallow armrest bin.

　　

Cargo space

8.5

　　At 29.7 cubic feet with the rear seats up, volume is generous for the segment, and an innovative cargo cover can either slide up or retract completely. The air suspension allows you to lower the rear-end height for easier loading. There's both a ski pass-through and 60/40-split folding seatbacks.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

8.5

　　The LATCH anchors are located under easy-access flip covers and in the usual places on the outboard seats with two top tethers on the back. You can mount only two child seats, but there should be enough space for rear-facing child seats.

　　

Technology

8.5

　　Volvo backs up its new modern styling with a ton of well-executed technology. It may not be innovating as boldly as the German manufacturers, but the features and driving aids available in the XC60 are, for the most part, very useful.

　　

Audio & navigation

9.5

　　The Bowers & Wilkins audio system is one of the most advanced and configurable offerings we've come across. Sleek yellow speaker cones peeking out behind decorative metal grilles are a nice aesthetic pairing with the rich sound and deep bass. The nav system's modern graphics are almost as nice.

　　

Smartphone integration

9.0

　　Device integration is excellent. You can pair your phone while on the move and choose between Apple CarPlay and Android Auto or use Volvo's native Bluetooth interface, which also works well. We appreciate the fact that CarPlay and Auto don't occupy the entire infotainment screen, too.

　　

Driver aids

8.0

　　Of note, Pilot Assist's firm hold on lane position feels more autonomous than most systems. The forward collision warning returned a few false positives from parked cars. Otherwise, all driving aids work well and are easy to access and switch on/off at will through the touchscreen.

　　

Voice control

8.5

　　Voice control functionality is quite extensive, with all the usual functions related to phone calls and navigation. But you can also control the climate control, seat heaters and ventilation, and steering wheel heat. Holding down the button summons Google Voice or Siri if your phone is connected.

　　

Which XC60 does zzdcar recommend?

　　One of the XC60's best features is the ability to build one however you want. Choose your preferred horsepower level, or if you want a plug-in hybrid, and match it up with your desired equipment level. The end. For our money, the T6 Inscription delivers the best of this SUV's strengths. The T6 comes with the turbocharged-and-supercharged 2.0-liter engine, and the Inscription trim level has some of the most desirable options. In this configuration, the XC60 feels like a truly plush family vehicle.

　　

2019 Volvo XC60 models

　　The 2019 Volvo XC60 is available in three trim levels that offer varied levels of luxury and sport-focused amenities: Momentum, R-Design and Inscription. Each trim level is available with any powertrain, which are named T5, T6 and T8 eAWD Plug-in Hybrid. An eight-speed automatic is the only transmission available. The base T5 Momentum comes with front-wheel drive, while all other XC60s come standard with all-wheel drive.

　　The base Momentum trim is nicely equipped, featuring 18-inch wheels, LED headlights and taillights, a rearview camera, automatic high beams, automatic wipers, integrated roof rails, and a power liftgate with programmable height.

　　Inside, there's faux leather upholstery, aluminum interior trim, a panoramic sunroof, automatic dual-zone climate control, an auto-dimming mirror, 10-way power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats (AWD models only), driver-seat memory settings, 60/40-split folding rear seats (with rear underseat storage), a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 10-speaker audio system, two USB ports, satellite radio, support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth connectivity.

　　On the safety front, all XC60s are equipped with lane keeping assist, road departure mitigation, oncoming collision avoidance and mitigation with pedestrian and large animal detection, driver attention alert, road sign recognition, and a four-year complimentary subscription to Volvo On Call with remote engine start.

　　The T5 designates a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (250 horsepower, 258 pound-feet of torque), while the T6 upgrades to a turbocharged and supercharged version (316 horsepower, 295 pound-feet of torque). On the base trim, T6 and above models add 19-inch wheels.

　　The T8 eAWD Plug-in Hybrid uses the same engine as the T6 but adds an electric motor and battery pack (combined 400 horsepower, 472 pound-feet of torque). This powertrain also comes with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a tire repair kit in lieu of a spare tire and tools.

　　The R-Design trim is mostly a sporty appearance package with its own 19-inch wheel, exterior and interior design that includes LED front foglights and cornering lights, and illuminated door handles. The interior gains front seats with seat-bottom extensions and shift paddles on the steering wheel.

　　The Inscription trim, like the R-Design, has its own interior and exterior design elements, such as additional chrome and wood inlays. Instead of sporty seats and shift paddles, you get four-zone climate control, a leather- and wood-wrapped dash, ambient interior lighting and a cooled glovebox.

　　A number of small packages and stand-alone options are available on the base Momentum trim if you don't need or want everything offered in the R-Design or Inscription trim.

　　The Premium package is available to all models and includes auto-dimming and folding side mirrors, heated wiper blades, keyless entry and a hands-free tailgate, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors with parking assist. The Multimedia package adds navigation, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. The Advanced package builds on the Premium package's equipment with Volvo's Pilot Assist (a Level 2 partially autonomous driving system with adaptive cruise control), turn-adapting LED headlights, a 360-degree parking camera system, headlight washers, daytime-running lights and a head-up display.

　　The Luxury Seating package is offered exclusively on Inscription models, and it helps elevate the XC60's amenities above the competition. Included are premium leather upholstery and upgraded front seats (heated, ventilated, and massaging with power lower cushion extenders and adjustable lateral support).

　　Stand-alone options include an adaptive air suspension that provides adjustments in body height and damping, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system.

　　

2019 XC60 Highlights

Type: SUVPlug-in HybridSUV

　　Trim: T5 MomentumT6 MomentumT5 R-DesignT5 InscriptionT6 R-DesignT6 InscriptionT8 Momentum Twin Engine Plug-In HybridT8 R-Design Twin Engine Plug-In HybridT8 Inscription Twin Engine Plug-In HybridT5 Momentum

　　

Base MSRP	$39,200
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	24 MPG
Cost to Drive	$188/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	29.7 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles