Like other Volvos, the XC60 is well-known for safety features. Buyers of this five-passenger crossover wagon also get a stylish exterior and enthusiastic road manners. The XC60 comes with either front-drive or all-wheel drive. Volvo offers quite a choice of turbocharged engines, including two Drive-E four-cylinders, a five-cylinder, and a pair of six-cylinders.
Volvo made a number of changes at mid-season of 2015, including a new Drive-E 2-liter engine, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and start-stop technology. A new five-cylinder T5 AWD replaced the prior 3.2 AWD model.
What's New for 2016
Paddle shifters have been deleted from the XC60 T6 trim level, and the Platinum version no longer has a digital compass. The option list no longer includes a quick-fold front passenger seat. Otherwise, little has changed.
Choosing Your Volvo XC60
Drive-E 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines go into each front-drive model. The base T5 Drive-E engine makes 240 horsepower, with fuel economy estimated at 22 mpg in city driving and 29 mpg on the highway (24 mpg combined).
Producing 302 horsepower, the supercharged and turbocharged T6 Drive-E is estimated at a slightly thriftier 23/31 mpg (city/highway). ECO+ fuel-saving technology includes a start-stop function. Both Drive-E engines mate with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
All-wheel-drive models may have a 250-horsepower 2.5-liter five-cylinder (T5); or a 3-liter inline six (T6) that generates either 300 or 325 horsepower, depending on trim level.
Each engine mates with a six-speed automatic transmission. T5 AWD fuel economy is estimated at 19-mpg city/26-mpg highway; T6 AWD is 17/23 mpg.
XC60 models are differentiated by drivetrain, and each comes in two or three trim levels:
Several option groups can be added to an XC60, including a Blind Spot Information System, Proximity Package, Inscription Package, and Technology Package.
Drive-E engines deliver class-leading efficiency and thrifty operation, as well as stimulating performance. If you need or want all-wheel drive (not a bad idea), a five- or six-cylinder engine is the only way to go. Otherwise, we vote for one of the four-cylinder Drive-E versions as a more prudent choice, though the new T5 AWD is worth considering.