2024 Volvo XC60 Review

Designed as a sleek and stylish midsize SUV with a practical nature, the XC60 range is a great option for buyers looking for a premium SUV package.

With Volvo set to become an all-electric company by 2026, the current XC60 may prove a great opportunity to get behind the wheel of a petrol-powered SUV before they officially exit the Australian market.

Just how well does the XC60 perform and which is the best model in the XC60 SUV range? Let’s take a closer look to find out.

Volvo XC60 Competition

How Much Does the Volvo XC60 Cost?

Prices for the MY24 Volvo XC60 range kick off from $73,990 for the entry-level XC60 Plus B5, rising to $80,090 for the XC60 Ultimate B5.

From here, the range moves to the XC60 Recharge Plus T8 which is priced at $92,390 while the flagship XC60 Recharge Ultimate T8 is priced at $101,390.

There’s also a special edition XC60 Recharge T8 Black Edition which is priced at $103,390.

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

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Volvo XC60 Plus B5 MHEV Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the Volvo XC60 Have?

Volvo’s entry-level XC60 B5 Plus range comes riding on a set of 19-inch alloys and receives LED headlights, LED fog lights, adaptive cruise control, leather upholstery, a powered boot lift, a surround-view monitor with front, side and rear parking sensors, a digital instrument cluster,  wireless smartphone charger, four-zone climate control and power-adjustable front seats.

Stepping up to the Volvo XC60 B5 Ultimate range adds a set of 20-inch alloys alongside a head-up display, heated front seats with a heated steering wheel, upgraded instrument panel with driftwood accents, a crystal gear selector and an air purifier.

Volvo’s XC60 Ultimate T8 Recharge receives 21-inch alloys as well as an adaptive air suspension system, rear privacy glass and an R-Design styling package.

Finally, the special edition XC60 T8 Black Edition receives an Onyx Black paint finish, black badges and front grille, black Nappa leather upholstery with ventilated front seats, and black 21-inch alloys.

Volvo XC60 Connectivity & Infotainment Features

The Volvo XC60 range comes packed with a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that sits in a vertical arrangement on the dashboard.

The system offers satellite navigation, DAB+ radio, Bluetooth connectivity as well as AM/FM radio.

Volvo tapped Google on the shoulder to help design the operating system powering its infotainment display, which means there’s a tonne of apps and clever, connected features like the Google Assistant, Play Store, connected navigation and remote services from the Volvo Cars app.

Buyers pick up a four-year subscription to the digital services package from the date of purchasing their XC60.

The XC60 in B5 Plus form picks up a ten-speaker sound system while opting for the XC60 Ultimate T8 Recharge adds an upgraded sound system courtesy of Bowers & Wilkins.

Does the Volvo XC60 Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

Potential buyers should note that the Volvo XC60 range offers both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, though only Android users receive the added convenience of wireless smartphone mirroring.

With Google’s OS underneath the infotainment display, owners of an Android device are able to connect their phones wirelessly, though iPhone owners will need to connect their phones via a USB cable in order to access Apple CarPlay.

Is the Volvo XC60 Comfortable to Drive?

Volvo has earned itself a solid reputation for its smooth, comfortable vehicles - and this very much extends to the XC60 SUV.

That said, the driving experience does change between the petrol-powered B5 and the plug-in hybrid T8 Recharge, with the latter picking up a seriously powerful engine.

Volvo’s entry-level B5 range comes powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that throws 220kW of power and 420Nm of torque to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

This gives the XC60 some spirited acceleration off the line, with silky shifts provided by the automatic transmission that make for a lovely combination on the road.

Buyers ticking the T8 Recharge box will be pleased to know that the plug-in hybrid unit produces a very impressive 340kW of power and monstrous 709Nm of torque, dropping the 0-100km/h sprint from 6.2 seconds in the base model to just 4.8 seconds.

While the acceleration is rapid, the XC60 platform prefers to glide about in a more refined, civilised manner.

Around town, it’s user-friendly to pilot thanks to a featherweight steering wheel that makes the XC60 easy to navigate tight quarters and squeeze into a vacant car space.

The suspension package errs on the softer side, which means that it absolutely munches up moderate-sized bumps around town and makes for a great daily driver.

Pick up the pace and the XC60’s suspension means it’s not the most agile midsize SUV in the corners, though as a long-distance cruiser, it provides a great ride quality that will go down a treat with family buyers.

All up, the XC60’s soft nature means it’s a great option for daily driving in town while giving it a more comfortable and versatile nature when it comes to longer journeys, with confidence bolstered by an all-wheel drive system.

Is the Volvo XC60 Fuel Efficient?

As you might imagine, fuel efficiency varies a great deal between the petrol-powered B5 and the plug-in hybrid T8 engines powering the Volvo XC60.

On a combined cycle, the B5 range is rated at 7.6L per 100km which isn’t bad considering its power figures and all-wheel drive system.

The T8 plug-in hybrid range, however, is unbeatable on fuel efficiency, consuming a combined 1.6L per 100km - so long as the battery is charged and is able to help take a load off the petrol engine.

How Much Fuel Does the Volvo XC60 Use Around Town?

• Volvo XC60 B5 City Consumption: 9.7L per 100km

• Volvo XC60 T8 Recharge City Consumption: N/A 

How Much Fuel Does the Volvo XC60 Use on the Highway?

• Volvo XC60 B5 Highway Consumption: 6.4L per 100km

• Volvo XC60 T8 Recharge Highway Consumption: 6.8L per 100km  

How Far Can the Volvo XC60 Recharge PHEV Drive on a Single Charge?

Volvo’s XC60 T8 Recharge lineup comes fitted with an 18.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack underneath the floor.

The company says this is enough to provide up to 81 kilometres of all-electric range, based on energy consumption figures of 19kWh per 100km.

How Much Can the Volvo XC60 Tow?

If you’re looking to tow a boat, caravan or trailer, take note of the fact that braked towing capacity actually drops when ticking the box on Volvo’s plug-in hybrid XC60.

• XC60 B5 Braked Towing Capacity: 2,400kg

• XC60 T8 Recharge Braked Towing Capacity: 2,250kg 

Is the Volvo XC60 Practical and Spacious?

The Volvo XC60 offers an impressive blend of luxury and practicality inside the cabin.

Tall drivers are treated to a lofty roofline that offers a great deal of headroom, while the elevated driving position gives smaller drivers a better look over their surroundings.

The front seats are super comfortable and make for a lovely place to sit on a long journey, while the design itself looks unique to the Volvo brand and offers a range of different textiles weaving their way across the dash.

All the ergonomics are top-tier, with a solid feel from the buttons and switchgear that speaks to to the XC60’s premium nature.

In terms of storage, the front of the XC60’s cabin offers a pair of cupholders and a wireless charging pad sitting beside the gear lever, with a large, retractable storage area at the base of the dash and ample storage inside the folding armrest.

There’s also a glovebox and large door bins on either side of the cabin for loose items and drink bottles. 

Move to the second row and the Volvo XC60 remains a solid contender in the premium midsize SUV segment - not at the head of the class but not in last place, either.

Legroom in the second row is very healthy, giving adults a chance to stretch out in the rear, meaning you won’t hear any complaints from kids sitting back here.

The same goes for headroom, with more than enough space for tall occupants in the second row.

Amenities in the XC60’s rear cabin include a set of air vents, map pockets, a pair of USB-C ports to keep your devices charged up and a folding armrest with inbuilt cup holders.

For the parents out there, the XC60 comes fitted with two pairs of ISOFIX anchors, and three top tether mounts behind the seatbacks and even receives an inbuilt booster seat for kids, while installing child seats is simple thanks to the wide-aperture doors.

How Big is the Volvo XC60’s Boot?

The Volvo XC60’s boot measures in at 483L with the rear seats standing, putting it in the middle of the midsize SUV segment when it comes to outright boot space.

Boot space in the XC60 T8 Recharge drops to 468L.

When you need extra capacity, folding down the XC60’s rear seats unlocks a total of 1,430L when it comes time to lug around large suitcases or sports equipment.

Is the Volvo XC60 Safe?

Volvo is synonymous with the word safety, with the XC60 range picking up a hefty list of active safety equipment, even in base form.

As standard, the Volvo XC60 receives forward and reverse autonomous emergency braking with cyclist, pedestrian and animal detection, as well as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts and hill-descent control.

The XC60 also picks up a surround-view monitor with front, side and rear parking sensors, hill-start assist, lane centring and tyre pressure monitoring.

Does the Volvo XC60 Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

While Volvo’s petrol-powered XC60 range has received a five-star ANCAP safety rating, this expired in the early stages of 2024, meaning both the XC60 petrol and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variants remain unrated by ANCAP.

For reference, the XC60’s previous five-star ANCAP safety rating was achieved by testing XC60 petrol variants back in 2017 where it scored the following marks.

• Adult Occupant Protection: 98%

• Child Occupant Protection: 87%

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 76%

• Safety Assist: 95%

What Warranty Does the Volvo XC60 Come With?

Volvo offers the XC60 midsize SUV range with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty, while the T8 Recharge range picks up an eight-year warranty for the battery and high-voltage components.

Buyers also receive an eight-year roadside assistance package.

Volvo gives buyers the choice of a three- or five-year pre-paid servicing package which are priced at $1,750 and $3,000.

Service intervals for the Volvo XC60 stand at 12 months or 15,000-kilometres, whichever elapses first.

Our Verdict: Is the Volvo XC60 Worth it?

The Volvo XC60 is a solid offering in the premium midsize SUV segment that looks great, comes packed with equipment and rides particularly well on rougher Australian roads.

While it’s not the most practical in the segment, the XC60 makes up for this with its extremely welcoming ride quality on a mix of town and country roads and a heap of power for those stepping up to the T8 Recharge range.

If we had to pick our favourite, we’d stick with the petrol-powered B5 which is still reasonably efficient, picks up a load of safety and entertainment tech and provides great comfort levels when it’s time to load up for a road trip.

If you’re looking to upgrade to a new, family-friendly SUV, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can take the stress out of the buying process and find the best possible price.

Five Volvo XC60 Specs You Need to Know

1. Petrol and plug-in hybrid powertrains available

2. AWD system and eight-speed automatic as standard

3. 81km of all-electric driving in XC60 T8 Recharge

4. 1.6 - 7.6L per 100km combined fuel economy figures (PHEV vs petrol)

5. 483L boot drops to 463L in XC60 PHEV; expands to 1,430L with rear seats folded