2018 Volvo XC60 Road Test and Review

2018 Volvo XC60 front 3 4 hero ・ Photo by Volvo

Volvo is in the midst of a product line makeover, and the latest subject of renovation is the 2018 Volvo XC60 crossover SUV. The last two years have seen the rebirth of the 90-series of Volvos: All new versions of XC90, S90, V90 and V90 Cross Country hit the market running, signaling great things to come. We’ve been told to expect the rest of the new 60-series vehicles to come soon, followed by the 40-series on the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform next. This complete lineup flip traces back to Volvo’s sale by Ford to China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group in 2010, which turned Volvo, in the words of Dean Shaw, the company’s Vice President of Corporate Communications, into “a startup.” Volvo needed to rethink every aspect of every vehicle from both a design and engineering standpoint.

Let’s take a closer look at the company’s latest all-new crossover, the 2018 Volvo XC60.

What kind of SUV is it?

The 2018 Volvo XC60 is a midsize crossover luxury suv. The new XC60 is the first of Volvo’s 60-series to get the spa treatment – actually, make that “SPA” treatment, for “Scalable Product Architecture,” Volvo’s modular platform for midsize (60-series) and full-size vehicles (90-series).

XC60 debuted as a 2009 model, and went on to become the best-selling luxury midsize crossover in Europe, and Volvo’s best-selling model worldwide. Over 20,000 XC60s sold in the United States in 2016, representing about 25 percent of Volvo’s volume in the country. So, the new XC60 has some big midsize shoes to fill.

Photo by Volvo

Only Sight Exterior Changes

Even though XC60 has undergone a total redesign, it is still recognizable as an XC60. You have to look beyond first glance to find the distinguishing features from the previous generation, which makes total sense if you follow the old Swedish saw, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Closer examination reveals a shorter front overhang, 2.6-inch longer wheelbase, full LED lighting, a new convex grille and a general sharpening of details. The result is a familiar, yet refreshed XC60. The tall wagon shape mimics the XC90, yet in a smaller form. It’s an approachable, yet elegant, crossover with a youthful appeal.

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Interior Design Makeover

The first-generation XC60’s interior was looking pretty dated, especially in contrast with the spectacular new XC90’s modern Swedish design. The design of the dash in the new XC60’s fits nicely around a 9-inch color touchscreen that provides access to Volvo’s Sensus Connect interface, which made its debut in XC90. More on that later. The dash appears to be supported by a horizontal wooden yoke and has a great balance and lightness. A cowl protects the clear, simple instrument panel from glare, and the beefy multifunction steering wheel adjusts manually for tilt and reach.

Volvo’s seats have been engineered with supreme comfort and safety in mind and a long range of front-to-rear travel. Tall drivers will appreciate the legroom. The second row is roomy, with great headroom and legroom, and a standard panoramic sunroof opens up the views for all passengers.

A small quibble: The plastic housing of the center console is the only letdown on material selection in the interior, feeling a little cheap and brittle.

Photo by Volvo

iPad-Like Infotainment

Volvo’s Sensus Connect system is one of the best available. Swipe, Pinch-to-Zoom and other gestures and customizable screen views provide easy, intuitive access to multiple vehicle features, navigation, audio and other infotainment options. A dedicated hard Home button quickly brings up a comprehensive screen view. The more time you spend with Sensus Touch, the better it serves you in your driving. Critical information is mirrored in the color driver information center (DIC) in the middle of the instrument cluster above the steering wheel, and an optional head-up display amplifies the access to information to reduce driver distraction. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard features on the vehicle with a wired connection. Bluetooth also comes standard.

Our test vehicle was equipped with an optional sound system from Bowers & Wilkens. The B&W system features 14 speakers and 1,100 Watts of amplification. The “wow” feature is digital signal processing (DSP) surround sound that is specifically tailored to the XC60. A special setting emulates the acoustic signature of the Gothenburg Cathedral from Volvo’s home town.

Trio of Powertrains

Three powertrains will be fitted to the XC60, each with standard all-wheel drive. T5 models get a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine (250 hp/258 lb-ft of torque). T6 models, like our test vehicle, get a turbocharged and supercharged version (316 hp/295 lb-ft of torque). Later this year, a T8 plug-in hybrid gasoline-electric model will be offered with a supercharged and turbocharged engine in front and a 10.4 kWh battery-powered rear electric motor (400 hp/472 lb-ft of torque combined). An 8-speed automatic transmission is a standard feature across the board. Five drive modes are standard on the T6 (optional on T5): Comfort (default); Dynamic; ECO; Individual (customizable and stored in coordination with the remote-control key); and Off Road (selectable at under 25 mph).

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Upgrades to Suspension, Steering, and Handling

One of the big upgrades from the first generation XC60 is the fitment of a double-wishbone front suspension in place of McPherson struts. The majority of parts are made from aluminum for reduction of unsprung weight, resulting in better road holding and comfort. Rear suspension is handled by an integral link design, using a single transverse leaf spring (leaf springs are usually installed in pairs running front to rear). It’s all very technical, but the result is secure, composed handling with a sporty stiffness. Our test T6 came with optional air suspension, with an electronically controlled air damping system replacing the springs. This system provides automatic leveling and high-speed height adjustment for enhanced handling, and lowers the XC60 by 1.6 inches when you turn off the engine, making it a little easier to get in and out of the crossover. Electric power steering with three driver-adjustable levels of power assistance delivers excellent road feel and control.

Photo by Volvo

Ambitious Safety

We have come to expect extensive safety systems on Volvo vehicles, and XC60 did not disappoint. Volvo continues to drive toward its Vision 2020 goal of no people killed or seriously injured in Volvo vehicles by the year 2020. A big part of this drive is embodied in Pilot Assist II, the latest version of its hands-on-the-wheel semi-autonomous driving system, familiar from the 90-series vehicles. New on the XC60 is Steer Assist, Blind Spot Information System with Steer Assist and On Coming Lane Mitigation. Steer Assist applies additional steering input, brakes the inner wheels and helps turn the car if it detects an imminent collision with a vehicle, pedestrian, cyclist or large animal, then brakes the outer wheels to stabilize the vehicle (if needed). Added to BLIS, it can help prevent a crash with a merging vehicle from behind if the driver doesn’t heed BLIS’s warnings. Oncoming Lane Mitigation helps steer the XC60 back into its own lane if it detects it drifting into oncoming traffic. Alert drivers may find these systems a little too insistent, so they can be defeated and turned off.

Photo by Volvo

Right-Sized on the Road

Volvo chose Barcelona as the headquarters for the launch of the 2018 Volvo XC60. The Spanish city and its surroundings provided a great mix of road types, traffic situations and opportunities to test out the vehicle’s features (not to mention great scenery and cuisine options along the way). In heavy urban traffic, XC60 fit right in with the other European vehicles.

The scale of the vehicle felt appropriate, while the slightly higher-than-sedan seating position helped with a great view of the road ahead, with good all-around outward visibility. Volvo’s talented elves had programmed our drive route into the Sensus Connect navigation system, and the system proved easy to follow, even on some pretty circuitous roundabouts and interchanges. The interior remained serene and quiet, even on some roughly maintained pavement, and the XC60 was a willing partner on the highway when the traffic opened up. True to Volvo’s claims, body roll was at a minimum around curves, and the technology smoothed the trip, rather than creating distractions.

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Priced Right for Luxury

Three models and three trim levels will be offered for XC60 in the US: T5 T6 and T8 models in Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription trim levels. T5 Momentum starts at $41,500; T5 R-Design starts at $44,800; and T5 Inscription starts at $45,300. T6 prices are slightly higher: $44,900 for Momentum; $48,200 for R-Design; and $48,700 for Inscription. T8 tops the bill at $52,900 for Momentum, $56,200 for R-Design, and $56,700 for Inscription. Add $995 for destination charges to all models and trims.

A good level of standard equipment comes with Momentum, and you can add additional luxury features with an extensive set of packages and some a la carte feature offerings. The list of standard equipment lengthens with R-Design and Inscription and can be supplemented to luxury levels with additional packages.

Photo by Volvo

Final Thoughts

Volvo’s latest generation of vehicles represents a vast improvement over the ones it has replaced, and the 2018 Volvo XC60 continues the trend. In a crowded field of midsize crossover luxury suvs that includes the Porsche Macan, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, Infiniti QX50, Audi Q5 and others, XC60 stands out with the best infotainment system and safety features of the bunch, and competes well in terms of design, comfort and handling. It is well worth consideration.

Photo by Volvo