The following review is for a 2021 Model Year. There may be minor changes to current model you are looking at.

Introduction

Volvo might be known for its wagons, but in a sign of the times it's the compact XC60 crossover that remains the brand's best-seller. We can see the appeal: stylish, quick, and luxurious, it hits a sweet spot in an intensely competitive segment. 

The 2021 XC60 welcomes several new standard features, including power-folding mirrors, adaptive LED lights, automatic high-beams, and wireless smartphone charging. 

The base Momentum models make do with what Volvo calls the T5, which is a turbocharged 2.0-liter making 250 horsepower. An available T6 adds a supercharger to the T5 for a total of 316 hp. Both use an 8-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard on the T5; all-wheel drive is standard on the T6 and available on the T5. 

The front-wheel-drive T5 is rated at 22 mpg city, 29 highway, 25 combined; all-wheel drive versions return 21/28/24 mpg. The T6 is pegged at 20/27/23 mpg. Recharge models can manage 19 miles of electric range or 27 mpg combined in normal operation. 

The Recharge-formerly known as a T8-pairs the T6 engine with a 10.4-kwh battery and a single electric motor. This 400-hp plug-in hybrid is good for 19 miles of electric range and 27 mpg combined. 

If that isn't enough power, the Polestar Engineered model coaxes another 15 horsepower from the Recharge while also firming up the suspension and upgrading the brakes, among other performance upgrades. It's as close as Volvo gets to making a hot rod XC60. 

Substantial safety equipment comes standard on the XC60, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors with steering assist, and adaptive cruise control. Extra-cost stuff includes a surround-view camera system and Volvo's Pilot Assist, which is a semi-autonomous feature that lets drivers momentarily remove their hands from the steering wheel. 

Crash test results have been excellent. The IIHS named the XC60 a Top Safety Pick and the NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating. 

Lineup

The XC60 can be had in Momentum, R-Design, Inscription, and Polestar Engineered trims. The first three trims are all available with the T5 and T6 powertrains, but only the R-Design and Inscription are offered with the Recharge powertrain. The 415-hp Recharge powertrain is the exclusive domain of the Polestar Engineered model. 

Volvo also offers the XC60 through their subscription service. Similar to a lease, subscribers pay a certain amount per month for the car that also covers maintenance and insurance. The program allows up to 1,250 miles per month; subscribers can return the car anytime once four months have elapsed. Subscription prices start at $700 per month. 

Under traditional purchase arrangements, prices begin at $41,700 for an XC60 with front-wheel drive and the T5 powertrain. Standard features include 18-inch wheels, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 9.0-inch touchscreen, leather upholstery, power seats, dual-zone climate control, a power liftgate, and a panoramic roof. 

The R-Design starts at $47,850 and adds navigation, a Harman Kardon audio system, nappa leather and woven upholstery, and heated front seats with power extenders. Distinct 19-inch wheels, black trim, a performance-tuned suspension, and seats with more aggressive bolstering are all included as well. 

The Inscription costs the same as the R-Design but abandons the sporty pretenses for traditional luxury. Standard features include a comfort-tuned chassis, power bolsters, cooled front seats, nappa leather upholstery, and real wood trim. 

Walkaround

Outside of Ikea, Scandinavian design has no better proponent than Volvo. The XC60 embraces the ethos of minimalist sophistication by paring down rather than slathering on. Volvo's less-is-more approach gives the XC60 a restrained elegance too often missing from contemporary luxury cars. 

The minimalistic look drapes over a body that measures 185 inches long and rides a 109.2-inch wheelbase. Those dimensions put it right in the thick of the segment. 

Interior

The same good taste dictating the exterior is found in the interior as well. Fine materials stitch together an understated, self-assured cabin. There is no glamour or pop or dazzle here-only an ergonomic, aesthetically pleasing layout that is more tranquil than exciting. 

The highlight of the dashboard is a 9.0-inch touchscreen, which houses Volvo's Sensus infotainment system. It works, but some lag has us quickly cuing up the standard Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. We do like the digital 12.3-inch gauge cluster, though. 

Volvo seats are some of the best in the business-plenty of support, just firm enough for some spirited driving, large and coddling for all sizes. Leather upholstery is standard on even the cheapest XC60, as are heated front seats and power adjustment. All the tools are here for finding the right seating position, so getting comfortable shouldn't be a concern for even the most persnickety of occupants. 

The back seat doesn't spoil passengers quite so lavishly-especially now that heated rear seats are no longer available-but it does provide plenty of leg room and shoulder room to transport three adults without much issue. 

A generous 30 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row expands to a less-impressive 50 cubic feet when the rear seatbacks are folded down. Competitors typically have less devoted cargo area but more total cargo area. 

Driving Impression

T5 buyers get 250 hp with their XC60, and it's not quite enough juice to get this 4,000-pound crossover moving with any real haste. The T6 is a much better option, as its 316 hp is the XC60's performance sweet spot-not too little, not too much. It is fast but not blazingly so, something borne out by a six-second 0-60 mph time. More importantly, it feels unburdened by the XC60's weight, even when loaded up with passengers and cargo. 

Base models and their standard coil springs ride nicely over most pavement, though bigger wheels degrade ride quality. Those larger wheels are best paired with the optional air suspension that delivers an appropriately buttery ride. 

The Recharge models are 400-hp futurist chariots: in the pursuit of efficiency, they deliver silky, silent performance. Strong acceleration and effortless passing prowess are the main hallmarks of this powertrain. Oh, and did we mention it can go nearly 20 miles just on electricity and return 27 mpg combined?

Now, as for the Polestar Engineered: it adds just 15 horsepower, but the performance intentions are far more overt than what the Recharge whispers. A stiffer ride, revamped tuning, bigger brakes-the Polestar pulls out all the stops to make a genuinely performance oriented XC60. The Polestar has the firmest ride of any XC60, even when its manually-adjustable dampers are in their most forgiving position. 

Summary

The 2021 Volvo XC60 speaks the language of luxury with a natural accent. A beautiful interior with high-grade materials pairs with a stylish exterior, and the powertrains under the hood drive home the point. Needless to say, this is a full-bore luxury crossover that has what it takes to go toe-to-toe with segment leaders. Our favorite version is a T6 Inscription. 

 

-by Anthony Sophinos, with driving impressions from The Car Connection.