Volvo XC60 - Full details

Volvo XC60 was last updated in August 2019, when the hottest among the XC60, hybrid-powered T8 Polestar added to the lineup. Currently, the mid-size SUV is available in four different trim levels - Momentum, Inscription, R-Design, and Polestar Engineered. The last in the list being the most highlighting factor in the lineup as it is a PHEV model.

The Volvo XC60 comes with a perfect blend of power and style along with a range of safety equipment. It features innovative technology along with a chassis that helps to balance control and comfort. Here is a look at the Volvo XC60 price list:

Variant	Price
Momentum	$59,990 - $62,990
Inscription	$66,990
R-Design	$73,990 - $76,990
Polestar Engineered	$92,990

Let’s discuss further on the XC60 and try to find out why this SUV has become a global success.

Engine specifications

The Volvo SC60 has five different engine options - D4, D5, T5, T6, and T8 Polestar Engineered. The Momentum, Inscription, R-Design have two engine options each. The Momentum and Inscription feature either D4 or T5 engine. On the other hand, the R-Design comes with D5 and T6 engine options. And the T8 Twin Engine Plug-in Hybrid gets T8 Polestar Engineered powertrain.

Variants	D4	D5	T5	T6	T8 Polestar Engineered
Engine	2.0-litre four-pot turbocharged diesel engine	2.0-litre four-pot turbocharged diesel engine	2.0-litre four-pot turbocharged petrol engine	2.0-litre four-pot supercharged and turbocharged diesel engine	Plug-in-Hybrid (2.0-litre four-pot supercharged and turbocharged petrol engine + electric motor)
Max-Power	187.8 hp at 4250rpm	237.4 hp @ 4000rpm	250.8 hp at 5500rpm	329.9 hp at 6000rpm	329.9 hp at 6000rpm+ 87.2 hp at 7000rpm(electric)
Max-Torque	400 Nm at 1750 -2500 rpm	500 Nm at  1500-2500 rpm	350 Nm at 1500-4800 rpm	440 Nm at 4500rpm	430 Nm at 4500rpm + 240 Nm at 0-3000rpm (electric)
Transmission	Eight-Speed Adaptive Geartronic automatic	Eight-Speed Adaptive Geartronic automatic	Eight-Speed Adaptive Geartronic automatic	Eight-Speed Adaptive Geartronic automatic	Eight-Speed Adaptive Geartronic automatic
Acceleration (0-100 kmph)	8.4 seconds	7.1 seconds	6.8 seconds	5.8 seconds	5.2 seconds
Top speed (kmph)	205	220	220	230	230

In the engine department, the most interesting facet of the Volvo XC60 is its plug-in-hybrid powertrain (Polestar engineered XC60 T8 Twin Engine), which combines a 2.0-litre four-pot supercharged and turbocharged petrol engine and an electric motor. The combination provides responsive performance.

Volvo XC60 specs sheet includes five different drive modes - Comfort, Dynamic, Eco and Off-road, as well as an Individual mode. These help to offer different settings for the automatic gearbox, brakes, steering, engine Start/Stop function and stability control system. In the Individual mode, one can modify or change each setting.

Exterior

The Volvo SC60 comes with dynamic proportions along with some uncluttered lines, which define the Scandinavian design. At night, the LED headlights promise to deliver a superior vision. There are two different types - LED Illumination and optimum illumination.

The former switches between the full beam and dipped so that the driver can get the best view. It comes with Active High Beam Illumination technology, which keeps the LED lights on full beam, while the oncoming traffic will be also deprived of sight. On the other hand, the optimum illumination also gets Active High Beam Illumination. But here, it includes Active Bending Lights, which provides better views in the corners by turning in the steering wheel’s direction.

The SUV comes with a sophisticated double-wishbone front suspension, while at the rear there is the integral-link suspension. Both of these are made of lightweight and strong materials, which helps in responsive steering and agile handling. There is an air suspension as an option. The additions of this help to keep the ride height constant and offer a smoother and controlled ride through corners and over bumps. There is a power-operated tailgate, which makes the loading and unloading much easier.

Interior

Inside the cabin, there is the Scandinavian design, which is a perfect mixture of function and form. There are a number of Swedish luxury features, which surrounded the cabin. The car gets a 9-inch responsive centre touch-screen display. The shiny full graphical display features an anti-reflective coating that reduces the reflections.

Furthermore, the car comes with an 8-inch driver display that provides all relevant driver information- that includes telephone, actual road signs, and navigation directions. Also, the brightness of the display is adjusted according to the light conditions outside. The screen size can be increased to 12-inch too. One can operate the telephone and media functions, climate control, navigation, etc through natural speech patterns as the car features an advanced voice control function.

There is the Bowers & Wilkins audio as an option. It comes with a unique air-ventilated subwoofer, which is able to provide precise bass tones. You can enjoy listening to music depending on your mood as there are three room modes.

Safety

Volvo cars are especially known for protecting people. The XC60 comes with an Ultra high-strength boron steel that forms a rigid safety cell. The car comes with a 360° camera, with which the driver can get an idea of the area surrounding the car. It uses four cameras, which are present at each door mirror and one each at the front as well as the back.

The car gets a lot of other features as standard across the variants including seven airbags, blind-spot information system having cross-traffic alert,  collision warning and mitigation support at the rear, front collision mitigation support, park assist pilot and park assist, hill descent control, rain sensor and hill start assist.

Furthermore, the SUV comes with Adaptive Cruise Control that includes Pilot Assist, Distance Alert and Lane Keeping Aid. It can automatically maintain a safe distance to the slower vehicles. While the driver has to select the time gap to the vehicle in front and desired speed. It can be enabled at a maximum speed of 200 kmph.

Competitors

The Volvo X60 does well for several years to become one of the most performing cars in the sales chart despite belonging form a crowded segment. It has a lot of competitors in the segment like BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Nissan Patrol, etc.

Volvo XC60 vs BMW X3

Speaking off the competitors of Volvo XC60, the name of BMW X3  will surely be taken. It has four different trim levels in Australia including X drive 20d, X drive 30d, X drive 30i and M 40i. It comes with two petrol and two diesel engine options. The X drive 20d and X drive 30d come with a 2.0-litre diesel (190 hp/400 Nm) unit and a 3.0-litre oil burner (265 hp/620 Nm). While the X drive 30i and M 40i has a 2.0-litre petrol engine (252 hp/350 Nm) and a 3-litre petrol mill (360 hp/500 Nm). So, it is clear that despite having less price tag the X3 bosses in the powerplant segment. However, the absence of PHEV might be a drawback.

Summing up

With a number of awards like Australia’s Best Car in 2018, Wheels Car of the year in 2018, etc under its name the Volvo XC60 is one of the most popular and best creations from Swedish multinational manufacturing company.

Also read: Volvo reduced servicing-plan charges in Australia