10 Volvo XC60 Competitors to Consider

Volvo has been on a steep upswing for several years, thanks in part to its excellent lineup of crossover suvs. The 2019 Volvo XC60 is a two-row midsize crossover SUV that belongs in the premium category, right in the middle of the Volvo lineup. It is available in three trim levels: Momentum (starting at $39,800); R-Design (starting at $46,650); and Inscription (starting at $47,150).

The XC60 comes with a choice of four powertrains: T5 FWD (250 hp/258 lb-ft of torque); T5 AWD; T6 (316 hp/295 lb-ft of torque); and T8 eAWD Plug-in Hybrid (400 hp/472 lb-ft of torque). Each uses a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine, which is turbocharged in the T5; turbocharged and supercharged in T6 and T8. T8 adds an 87-hp electric motor to the package, capable of 17 miles of EV range. Presented in alphabetical order by brand, here are 10 Volvo XC60 competitors to consider.

The Acura RDX has been redesigned and reengineered for 2019, with a focus on simpler packaging. Like the XC60, it uses a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine with front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive. The 2019 Acura RDX’s engine is turbocharged, and is tuned to produce 272 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. RDX comes in a single trim level, Standard (starting at $37,400).

Then comes the packaging. Technology Package adds $3,200; A-Spec Package adds $3,000; and Advance Package adds $4,900. Either A-Spec and Advance require including the Technology package, but you can’t order A-Spec and Advance together. Got it? Throw in another $2,000 for all-wheel drive. The AcuraWatch suite of advanced safety systems is included across the board, with an additional layer of driver assistance included on the Advance Package.

The 2019 Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60 are very well-matched competitors. Q5 got a brief jump on XC60, debuting as a 2009 model in the U.S., a year ahead of XC60. The second-generation Q5 debuted as a 2018 model. Like XC60, Q5 is a two-row crossover that uses a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine. Q5’s engine is turbocharged, and tuned to produce 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. Audi quattro all-wheel drive is standard on all trim levels, along with a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT).

One of Audi’s strengths as a brand is mature, streamlined interior design, and Q5 shares that characteristic. Q5 is available in three trim levels (Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige), with prices starting at $42,950.

The BMW X3 currently is in its third generation of production since it debuted as a 2003 model. The U.S.-bound 2019 BMW X3 is built in BMW’s plant in Greer, South Carolina, while the Volvo XC60 we get originates from Torslanda, Sweden.

X3 comes in three trim levels: X3 sDrive30i (starting at $41,000); X3 xDrive30i (starting at $43,000); and X3 M40i (starting at $54,650). The sDrive30i and xDrive30i models use a twin-turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine (248 hp/258 lb-ft of torque), while the M40i uses a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine (355 hp/365 lb-ft of torque). xDrive models are all-wheel drive, while sDrive models are rear-wheel drive only. All X3 models use an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The Cadillac XT5 replaced the SRX in the Cadillac lineup in 2017, and since has become the brand’s best-selling model. Like the XC60, the 2019 Cadillac XT5 is a front-wheel drive/all-wheel drive crossover, but unlike the XC60, XT5 uses a naturally aspirated (non-turbo) V6 engine that displaces 3.5 liters. The engine employs direct gasoline injection, and is tuned to produce 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, which it sends to the wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

XT5 and XC60 are very close in size, both interior and exterior. XT5 comes in four trim levels: Standard (starting at $41,695); Luxury (starting at $48,495); Premium Luxury (starting at $54,195); and Platinum (starting at $65,895).

Reviving a classic Chevy nameplate, the 2019 Chevrolet Blazer is an all-new two-row crossover vehicle that fits into the middle of the brand’s crowded lineup of SUVs. It is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and with a choice of two naturally aspirated (non-turbo) direct-injection gasoline engines: a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder (193 hp/188 lb-ft of torque); or a 3.6-liter V6 (305 hp/269 lb-ft of torque). Each engine uses a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Blazer is available in six trim levels: L (starting at $29,995); 2.5L Cloth (staring at $33,495); 3.6L Cloth (starting at $34,495); 3.6L Leather (starting at $38,695); RS (starting at $41,795); and Premier (starting at $43,895). Blazer is a good competitor for buyers who are considering an XC60, but seek a more affordable two-row crossover.

As the flagship of the Jeep lineup, the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers a wide range of competitors for the Volvo XC60. There are nine 4x2 models and 12 4x4 models, with base prices starting at $31,945 for a Laredo 4x2, and going up to $86,900 for a Trackhawk 4x4. There are four gasoline engine choices: A 3.6-liter V6; a 5.7-liter HEMI V8; a 6.2-liter supercharged V8; and an SRT 6.4-liter HEMI V8. There’s also an available 3.0-liter V6 EcoDiesel engine option.

Each engine gets matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Grand Cherokee 4x2 models are rear-wheel drive, while 4x4 models come with one of five different 4WD systems, depending on engine and intended use. Grand Cherokee seats five, and can hold 36.3 cubic feet of luggage behind the second row, expandable to 68.3 cubic feet of cargo space by folding down the 60/40-split rear seat.

The Infiniti QX50 is all new for 2019, and has an innovative new powertrain that makes it worth considering as a competitor for the Volvo XC60. Billed as the “World’s First Production Ready Variable Compression Turbo Engine,” the 2019 Infiniti QX50’s new 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine is designed to instantly adapt to driver inputs, switching from high-compression mode for efficiency to low-compression mode for more power. Peak output is rated at 268 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. An Xtronic Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission (CVT) sends the power to the front wheels, or to all four wheels in all-wheel drive models.

Infiniti’s excellent suite of advanced driver assistance features, ProPILOT Assist, is available on the Essential trim levels. QX50 prices start at $36,550 for QX50 Pure; $38,350 for Pure AWD; $39,400 for Luxe; $41,200 for Luxe AWD; $43,350 for Essential; and $45,150 for Essential AWD.

Now in its third generation, the 2019 Kia Sorento is another budget competitor for the Volvo XC60. With standard five-passenger seating and available seven-passenger capacity, Sorento’s attractive exterior and interior design appeal to a wide range of customers. Sorento L and LX models come with a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine (185 hp/178 lb-ft of torque). Sorento LX V6, EX V6, SX, and SX Limited models get a 3.3-liter V6 (290 hp/252 lb-ft of torque).

Each engine connects to a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, while all-wheel drive is available on all but base L models. Pricing for Sorento starts at $26,900 for L FWD and goes up to $46,490 for SX Limited AWD. Every Kia comes with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The 2019 Lexus RX is the granddaddy of the premium two-row crossover class, and it is a must to consider alongside the Volvo XC60. It debuted as a 1999 model, and started its fourth generation of production for the 2016 model year. A three-row variant was introduced in the 2018 model year, and it also is worth considering.

RX is available as a V6 gasoline-only model (RX 350), and as a hybrid gasoline-electric model (RX 450h). Unlike the XC60 T8, the RX 450h hybrid is a conventional hybrid – not a plug-in. Front-wheel drive is standard on gas-only models, while all-wheel drive is standard on hybrids and available on gas-only models. RX 350 prices start at $43,670, while RX 450h prices start at $46,095. Add $4,725 for three-row versions.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class replaced the GLK-Class in 2016, and matches up well with the Volvo XC60. It is available in five models: GLC 300 SUV (starting at $40,700); GLC 300 4MATIC SUV (starting at $42,700); GLC 350e 4MATIC SUV (starting at $49,990); AMG GLC 43 SUV (starting at $57,000); and AMG GLC 63 SUV (starting at $70,800).

Like the XC60, GLC is available with gasoline-only engine choices, or a plug-in hybrid on the GLC 350e. The gasoline engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder (241 hp/273 lb-ft of torque). In the plug-in, the 2.0-liter turbocharged gas engine is paired with an 85kW electric motor for a net output of 315 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. If power is your gig, choose one of the AMG GLC models. The GLC 43 uses a 362-hp 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, while the GLC 63 is loaded with a 469-hp 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. Yowza!