2020 Volvo XC60

Is the Volvo XC60 a Good SUV?

Yes, the Volvo XC60 is a good luxury compact SUV. This is a great choice if you want a crossover with premium interior quality, outstanding seat comfort, and plenty of tech features. It also provides a smooth ride and has several solid engine choices. However, the XC60 isn't as fun to drive as many of its classmates, though it does have a larger cargo hold than most rivals.

Should I Buy the Volvo XC60?

As long as agile handling isn't a top priority, the XC60 is worth a look. That said, there are plenty of great choices in the class, so potential buyers should see how the XC60 stacks up against alternatives like the Audi Q5. You may also want to compare the XC60 against its larger and smaller Volvo siblings, the XC90 and XC40.

Compare the XC60, Q5, and XC90 »

Should I Buy a New or Used Volvo XC60?

The 2020 XC60 belongs to a generation that began with the 2018 model year. For 2020, there's a new limited-release Polestar Engineered trim, and the all-electric range of the plug-in-hybrid powertrain gets a slight increase.

For the 2019 XC60, Volvo added more standard features across the lineup, including heated front seats in every all-wheel-drive model and more safety and technology features in uplevel trims. Volvo also swapped out genuine leather upholstery (which was standard in 2018 models) for synthetic leather in the base Momentum trim.

These modifications join a lengthy list of improvements that were part of the 2018 redesign. Enhancements over the previous generation include a better base infotainment system, more room for passengers, and an improved suspension system.

You can likely save money by shopping for a used model, so you may want to read our 2018 XC60 and 2019 XC60 reviews to help make your decision. You can also check out our Used Car Deals page to learn about savings and discounts on used vehicles.

We Did the Research for You: 16 Reviews Analyzed

We don’t base our car reviews on our personal opinions. Instead, we combine the findings of professional test drivers with data such as performance specs and safety scores to give you a complete overview of every vehicle we rank.

This Volvo XC60 review incorporates applicable research and data for all vehicles in this generation, which includes the 2018 through 2020 model years.

Why You Can Trust Us

U.S. News & World Report has been ranking the best cars, trucks, and SUVs since 2007, and our staff has more than 75 years’ worth of auto industry experience combined. To keep our reviews unbiased, we don’t accept expensive gifts or trips from car companies, and an outside company manages our advertising.

How Much Does the Volvo XC60 Cost?

The XC60 Momentum sports a base price of $40,150, which is a typical starting price for a luxury compact SUV. The XC60 Inscription starts at $47,150. That's less than the top trim price for many rivals, and a few competitors even have starting prices higher than that.

There's also a limited-release model, the XC60 Polestar Engineered, which starts at $69,500.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Volvo dealer.

Volvo XC60 Versus the Competition

Which Is Better: Volvo XC60 or Audi Q5?

The Audi Q5 comes in ahead of the XC60 in our luxury compact SUV rankings. That's largely because the German crossover delivers superior performance, handling better than the XC60 while riding smoothly. Like the Volvo, the Audi's interior has top-notch build quality and lots of cargo space. Both are a good buy, though the XC60 comes standard with more safety features.

Which Is Better: Volvo XC60 or Volvo XC90?

The Volvo XC90 and XC60 are both fine choices. They share many similarities, like incredibly nice cabins with comfortable seats, but there are a few differences. The XC90 is larger and has more cargo room than the XC60. It can also seat up to seven, while the XC60 maxes out at five occupants. Other features are similar between the two, so your choice may boil down to whether the XC90’s starting price is worth the extra cost.

Which Is Better: Volvo XC60 or Volvo XC40?

The Volvo XC40 is another strong choice from the Swedish automaker. This luxury subcompact SUV is the smallest crossover in Volvo's lineup, and it has two rows of adult-friendly seats. The XC40 is much less expensive than its larger sibling, but it also has fewer features and less cargo room than the XC60. Both are good choices, so pick the one that matches your size needs and budget.

Compare the XC60, Q5, and XC90 »

XC60 Interior

How Many People Does the XC60 Seat?

The XC60 seats five people, and it does so in style. This Volvo has a real case for being the most comfortable member of the luxury compact SUV class. Both rows have plenty of head- and legroom, and the supple seats keep you comfortable, even on longer drives.

XC60 and Child Car Seats

There are two full sets of LATCH car-seat connectors for the XC60’s rear outboard seats, as well as an upper tether anchor for the rear middle seat. The hardware is easy to locate, but it may be difficult to maneuver around the lower anchors.

XC60 Interior Quality

This Volvo features a top-notch interior. Its simple styling lends a classy feel, and the abundance of quality materials is befitting a luxury SUV.

XC60 Cargo Space

Most rivals have a lower maximum cargo capacity than the XC60, which gives you 22.4 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. That's enough room to haul vacation luggage or outdoor gear, even with the rear seats up.

XC60 Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation

Standard features include the Sensus infotainment system with a 9-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker audio system. Available features include a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and navigation.

At the hub of the infotainment system is the vertically oriented touch screen, which controls nearly every function in this Volvo. The screen is large and has crisp graphics, making it easy to see and read the on-screen buttons. However, it takes multiple steps to adjust many settings, which can be distracting while driving.

Read more about interior »

XC60 Performance

XC60 Engine: Four Solid Choices

You have four options when it comes to XC60 powertrains. The T5 comes with a 250-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a 316-horsepower turbo- and supercharged four-cylinder comes standard in the T6. With the T8, you get 400-horsepower plug-in-hybrid powertrain, combining the T6 powertrain with an electric motor. The new-for-2020 Polestar Engineered trim has a 415-horsepower version of the T8's powertrain.

All of these engines get the job done, but models with the T6 and T8 powertrains feel much quicker than the T5, particularly when accelerating from a stop.

XC60 Gas Mileage: The Numbers Look Good

This Volvo is more fuel-efficient than many of its luxury compact SUV classmates. With the T5 powertrain and front-wheel drive, the XC60 returns 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. The T5 with all-wheel drive gets 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, which are the same ratings for the T6 powertrain.

XC60 Ride and Handling: Built for Comfort, not Speed

This Volvo stands out for its buttery-smooth ride. It doesn't jostle passengers over rough roads, and the available air suspension makes the ride even more comfortable. Many class rivals deliver a more engaging driving experience thanks to superior handling.

XC60 Towing Capacity

When properly equipped, the XC60 can tow up to 5,291 pounds.

Read more about performance »

XC60 Reliability

Is the Volvo XC60 Reliable?

The 2020 XC60 does not yet have a predicted reliability rating from J.D. Power.

Volvo XC60 Warranty

Volvo covers the XC60 with a four-year/50,000-mile warranty.

Read more about reliability »

XC60 Safety

XC60 Crash Test Results

Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has crash tested the 2020 Volvo XC60.

XC60 Safety Features

Standard driver assistance features include run-off road mitigation and protection, oncoming lane mitigation, driver drowsiness monitoring, collision mitigation with active braking, traffic sign recognition, lane keep assist, and a rearview camera. This SUV also includes a system that scans for intersections, cyclists, pedestrians, and large animals.

Available features include blind spot monitoring, rear collision warning with braking, rear cross traffic alert, active park assist, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, distance alert, a head-up display, and a surround-view parking camera system.

Pilot Assist is also available. It controls your speed relative to other vehicles around you and provides steering inputs to keep you centered in your lane. Despite its name, Pilot Assist is not a semi- or fully autonomous driving mode. The driver is always fully responsible for safe operation of the vehicle.

Read more about safety »

XC60 Dimensions and Weight

The XC60 is about 15.5 feet long. Its curb weight ranges from 3,904 to 4,716 pounds.

Where is the Volvo XC60 built?

Volvo builds the 2020 XC60 in Sweden.

Which Volvo XC60 Model Is Right for Me?

There are four trim levels for this Volvo: Momentum, R-Design, Inscription, and Polestar Engineered. There are three powertrains to pick from as well. The base T5 engine is a 250-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder. The 316-horsepower T6 engine sports both a turbo- and a supercharger, while the 400-horsepower T8 is a plug-in-hybrid variant.

The T5 is the only engine that can be paired with front-wheel drive (all-wheel drive is optional with this engine and is standard in the T6 and T8). An eight-speed automatic transmission is the only gearbox choice.

The base XC60 Momentum trim comes well-equipped and features plenty of infotainment and driver assistance technology. It also boasts a comfortable, premium interior, making it an excellent value.

Also, a federal tax credit may be available for buyers of XC60s with the T8 plug-in-hybrid powertrain.

Volvo XC60 Momentum

The XC60 Momentum carries a starting price of $40,150. Standard features include dual-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic moonroof, and the Sensus infotainment system with a vertically oriented 9-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker audio system.

Standard active safety features include run-off road mitigation and protection, oncoming lane mitigation, driver drowsiness monitoring, collision mitigation with active braking, traffic sign recognition, lane keep assist, and a rearview camera. This SUV also includes a system that scans for intersections, cyclists, pedestrians, and large animals.

Volvo XC60 R-Design

The XC60 R-Design starts at $46,850. It builds off the amenities of the Momentum trim, adding a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, front and rear parking sensors, active park assist, blind spot monitoring, proximity keyless entry, and power-folding head restraints and seats in the second row. It also boasts a sportier appearance, with unique styling elements such as a special grille and wheels, cloth and leather sport seats, and R-Design badging.

Volvo XC60 Inscription

The XC60 Inscription has a starting price of $47,150. It has the same amenities as the R-Design, aside from that trim’s exclusive sports aspects, and adds quad-zone automatic climate control, driftwood trim, Nappa leather upholstery, and navigation.

Volvo XC60 Polestar Engineered

The XC60 Polestar Engineered starts at $69,500 and features the T8 plug-in-hybrid powertrain with an additional 15 horsepower. The Polestar has limited availability, so interested shoppers should get theirs sooner rather than later.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Volvo dealer.

See 2020 Volvo XC60 specs and trims »

The Final Call

The 2020 Volvo XC60 focuses on interior quality and ride comfort above all else. There are comfortable accommodations for adults in both rows, and this crossover has arguably the best cabin in the class. It's loaded with tech features as well. Many competitors provide a more engaging driving experience, which is why the XC60 finishes in the middle of our luxury compact SUV rankings instead of near the top. Even so, this Volvo merits a look from small SUV shoppers.

Don’t just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.

• "We love what Volvo has done with the new XC60 even if it doesn't actually impress us from a dynamic standpoint. But it doesn't have to, because the majority of people buying this vehicle aren't often focused on dynamics first. User-friendly interfaces and driver aids make it easy to log miles, but it's not the car you'd choose first for a windy mountain road. That said, the design is strikingly good-looking." -- Edmunds
• "This 2-row/5-passenger compact-luxury SUV is an alluring alternative to rivals such as the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Audi Q5 and Acura RDX thanks to its sensual design, strong roster of standard features, and variety of sophisticated powertrains. … Volvo is known for being at the vanguard of safety, and the XC60 carries that mantra with a standard suite of accident-avoidance features." -- Kelley Blue Book (2019)
• "Indeed, you get an awful lot of car for your money in the 2018 XC60. … But no matter the dollars and sense, the XC60 should definitely be considered alongside that pair or anything else in the segment. It has the equipment, space, quality and safety to be considered a smart buy, along with the style and character to make it an impulse one. Just don't expect many surprises." -- Autoblog (2018)