What's New
Forget the old 240 wagon, the most popular Volvo these days is the XC60, a midsize crossover that goes toe-to-toe with the mainstream luxury brands. To keep up with that heady competition, Volvo has introduced a few lineup-wide enhancements that are included on the 2021 Volvo XC60.
The new standard equipment includes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, power-folding and auto-dimming side mirrors, adaptive LED headlights, automatic high beams, and two rear USB ports. Specific updates to the XC60 are limited to keyless entry, illuminated door handles, and a hands-free power liftgate.
Choosing Your Volvo XC60
The XC60 comes in four trim levels: Momentum, R-Design, Inscription, and Polestar Engineered. Pricing ranges from $42,695 including destination for a base Momentum to $71,140 for the Polestar Engineered.
Engine Choices
The lower three trims come standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, known as the T5. Moving into the T6 adds a supercharger to the equation for a twin-charge design, the upgrade costing $5,800 on all three trims.
The plug-in hybrid, formerly known as the T8, has been rechristened Recharge. It remains a plug-in hybrid ode to the future, though it's outdone by the Polestar Engineered and its 15 additional horsepower.
Engine Type | Horsepower | Torque | Fuel Economy (Combined) |
T5 2.0L Turbo 4-Cylinder | 250 hp | 258 lb-ft | 25 mpg |
T6 2.0L Turbo and Supercharged 4-Cylinder | 316 hp | 295 lb-ft | 23 mpg |
T8 2.0L Turbo and Supercharged 4-Cylinder Plug-in Hybrid | 400 hp | 472 lb-ft | 27 mpg |
T8 Polestar Engineered | 415 hp | 472 lb-ft | 27 mpg |
All models come with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard on the T5, with all-wheel drive a $2,300 option. All other powertrains come exclusively with all-wheel drive.
It's worth reiterating that both the Polestar Engineered and Recharge powertrains are squeezing 400 horsepower out of a plug-in hybrid four-cylinder that's also capable of driving 20 miles on pure electric power. Take a moment and process that.
It represents a current high-water mark for mainstream four-cylinders, and illustrates how far hybrids have come since the first Prius popularized the technology. In the XC60 lineup, this is the powerplant to buy if you've got the dough for it.
Passenger and Cargo Capacity
The XC60 is a two-row midsize crossover, so seating caps out at five. Those sitting in the back will find themselves with 38 inches of leg room, which is more than the BMW X5 but less than the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, Lincoln Nautilus, and Cadillac XT5.
Behind the rear seats is 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space, which is well shy of its competition. Of the aforementioned group, all four models provide at least 10 additional cubic feet in their cargo areas. Fold down the XC60's seats, and 63 cubic feet becomes available, which is more in line with segment standards.
Safety Features
Volvo has tied itself to the hip with safety, and it's no small point of pride for brand loyalists that the Swedish company is routinely named the safest among all automakers. To that end, the XC60 gets much more standard safety kit than many of its competitors.
The list includes automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. The R-Design and above get front parking sensors as well.
About all that isn't standard is adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera, both of which are optional with the Advance Package. However, the Polestar Engineered does get these two high-end safety features standard.
The IIHS called the Volvo a Top Safety Pick for its crash test performance, while the NHTSA gave the crossover a five-star overall safety rating.
Connectivity
All XC60s come with a 9.0-inch rectangular, vertically-oriented touchscreen mounted in the center of the dash. It comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and also includes Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD radio, and a variety of integrated apps. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster is also standard.
The R-Design and above further get navigation, a Harman Kardon audio system, and a subwoofer. The navigation system is optional on the base Momentum through the Premium Package ($1,700).
The Polestar Engineered adds a head-up display, Bowers and Wilkins audio system, and wireless charging as standard. The head-up display and wireless charging pad are available elsewhere through the aforementioned Advanced Package.
The base Momentum opens up the XC60 range. Standard amenities include a panoramic sunroof, power liftgate, adaptive LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery, power front seats with memory for the driver's seat, and genuine wood trim.
Aside from the Advance Package ($2,100), which comes with a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, wireless charging, and more, buyers might want to consider the Premium Package. For $1,700, it adds navigation, front parking sensors, a rearview mirror compass, and a Homelink garage door transmitter.
Moving into the performance-oriented R-Design gets buyers the contents of the Momentum's Premium Package as well as heated front seats, Nappa leather upholstery, four-zone climate control, and a Harmon Kardon audio system. The sporty stuff includes black exterior trim, distinctive tailpipes, and a sport-tuned chassis.
Individual options include a $3,200 Bowers and Wilkins audio system, $500 integrated booster seat rear cushions, and an $1,800 four-corner air suspension.
The Inscription is the top dog outside the Polestar Engineered. It's equipped similarly to the R-Design but adds a few extra standard features like ventilated front seats, wood trim, 19-inch wheels, and comfort seat padding with power side supports up front.
Polestar Engineered - From $71,140
The utmost XC60 is the Polestar Engineered. Its main attraction is its high-output, 415-horsepower variant of the Recharge plug-in hybrid powertrain that gets paired with a uniquely tuned chassis and an air suspension. Standard here is the Bowers and Wilkins audio system, adaptive cruise control, heated rear seats, and wireless charging.
Compare XC60 Trims Side-By-Side
The pricey 2021 Volvo XC60 Recharge and Polestar Engineered models may look enticing, but they aren't the value plays. That would be the R-Design, which provides plenty of standard equipment and a purposeful style at a fair shake. As for which engine? Again, the middle choice best: the T6 would do it for us.