2024 Volvo XC60 Review: Safe And Sound
The Volvo XC60 is a familiar sight on roads in the USA after six years on the market, and it remains an excellent premium compact crossover that's received annual updates to keep it fresh. A simplification of the 2024 lineup suggests a replacement or upgrade may be in the card. Aside from the plug-in hybrid version, which we review separately, only the B5 powertrain is left this year - a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 248 horsepower - with all-wheel drive now standard on all trims. The XC60 is still the comfortable and roomy car we've come to know and love, but the loss of the B6 powertrain means it's not quite as quick as the competition; for a performance option, you'll have to look at the 455-hp T8 PHEV powertrain in the XC60 Recharge. What can this aging Swede still offer you to warrant consideration over premium rivals such as the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, not to mention excellent young up-and-coming contenders such as the Genesis GV70? Let's see how the XC60 stacks up against these competitors.
New for 2024
The 2024 XC60 range is simplified. The 248-hp B5's FWD drivetrain and the twin-charged 295-hp B6 engine are both discontinued, which means all gas XC60s now come with the AWD B5 powertrain only. There are no longer Bright and Dark exterior themes to choose from; all XC60 now sport the dark, de-chromed look. The features and specifications of all the remaining trims stay largely unchanged. There is a new Black Edition package available on the Ultimate this year, which blacks out the diagonal Volvo slash on the grille, the front and rear badging, and the trim-specific 21-inch alloys; the only chrome left on the exterior of the car is the small "VOLVO" script on the grille badge and the wheel badges. Of course, with the discontinuation of the cheapest FWD B5, the base price of the 2024 Volvo XC60 is now just over $3k higher and starts at $46,650.
2024 Volvo XC60 Price: Which One to Buy
For 2024, the base price of a new Volvo XC60 is $46,650. This is for the Core model, which is followed by the Plus at $52,345 and the Ultimate at $57,795. Adding the Black Edition package to the Ultimate will cost you another $1,100. Keep in mind that these prices are MSRP and don't include extras or Volvo's $1,195 destination charge.
As is often the case, the base trim lacks a few nice features, and the top trim is a bit expensive for what you get, so the mid-range trim makes the most sense. This is certainly the case here, which is why the Plus is our choice. You get niceties such as the power panoramic sunroof, heated power front seats, rear parking sensors, and navigation as standard, but to these, the Plus adds bigger and better-looking 19-inch wheels, leather upholstery, and the rest of the must-have driver assists, notably front parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and adaptive cruise control. We'd add the Ultimate's 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system to it for $800 and be done with it.
B5 Core Dark Theme | B5 Plus Dark Theme | B5 Ultimate Dark Theme |
---|---|---|
Lowest Price | Preferred Trim | Luxury Flagship |
$ 46450 | $ 50950 | $ 56400 |
2.0L turbo I4 (247 hp/258 lb-ft), eight-speed auto, AWD | Equipped with the B5 Core Dark Theme’s features, plus: | Equipped with the B5 Plus Dark Theme’s features, plus: |
18-inch alloys, LED headlights, power panoramic sunroof | 19-inch alloys | 20-inch alloys |
Textile/leatherette upholstery, heated power front seats | Leather upholstery, power-folding rear headrests | Nappa leather upholstery, heated & ventilated front seats |
Nine-inch touchscreen, navigation, 10-speaker audio | Surround-view camera | Head-up display |
Blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, lane-keep assist | Adaptive cruise control with Pilot Assist | Four-zone climate control |
Front parking sensors | 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system |
Best Deals on 2024 Volvo XC60
Interior and Features
The premium materials used in the XC60 need not stand back for the more expensive Volvos - or the "premium" competition.
There's a refreshing Swedish minimalism to the dashboard, with clean surfacing, a lack of clutter, and easy-to-use controls. The portrait-style touchscreen might not be as big as those of some of the XC60's contemporaries, but a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster is standard. The materials are of high quality and similar to those used in more expensive Volvos. The XC60 doesn't have a severe, coupe-like slope to its roofline, so it's easy to get inside, and the passengers are treated to ample interior space, even in the second row. The standard-fit panoramic sunroof lends a welcome airiness to the environment. The rear pillars are quite wide, but the backup camera and standard rear parking sensors help with that, and the Plus and Ultimate models are a breeze to park, thanks to the standard addition of a surround-view camera.
Space
The roomy cabin is one of the XC60's selling points, and there is a lot of legroom and headroom, even in the second row, despite the standard-fit panoramic sunroof. The XC60 draws level with the X3 with its 112.8-inch wheelbase, but nifty space utilization gives the Swedish car 1.6 inches more legroom in the back - and more than most of its rivals.
Cargo
The trunk space behind the second row is decidedly mediocre in this class at 22.4 cu-ft, but trunk volume expands to an excellent 63.3 cu-ft with the 60/40-split second row folded down, which bests most rivals. There's a handy load-through in the center rear seatback for accommodating long, slim items without having to fold down the rear seats, and a net partition in the left sidewall of the cargo area accommodates smaller items that you don't want rolling around in the trunk.
There are enough spaces to store things in the cabin, including a glovebox and four door pockets, the front ones being quite roomy. The center console storage bin isn't the deepest but is still quite large, and ahead of it you'll find two cupholders and a phone rest/wireless charging pad under a sliding cover. Rear-seat passengers get front seatback pockets, small door pockets, and small storage areas at the back of the center console and in the fold-down center armrest. The armrest also contains two cupholders.
Volvo XC60 | Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class SUV | Genesis GV70 | |
---|---|---|---|
Seating | 5 Seater | 5 Seater | 5 Seater |
Headroom | 38 in. front 38 in. rear | 41.3 in. front 39.7 in. rear | 39.6 in. front 39.1 in. rear |
Legroom | 41.5 in. front 38 in. rear | 40.7 in. front 37.4 in. rear | 41.3 in. front 37.2 in. rear |
Trunk Space | 22.4-63.3 ft³ | 21.9-56.3 ft³ | 28.9-56.9 ft³ |
Materials and Colors
The upholstery in the Core is leatherette or City Weave Textile cloth, depending on the exterior color configuration. With the cloth upholstery, the cabin comes only in Charcoal, but there are two interior colors for the leatherette - Charcoal and Blond (beige)/Charcoal. The Plus' cabin is a noticeable upgrade, with leather upholstery and three available color schemes - Charcoal, Maroon Brown/Charcoal, and Blond/Charcoal - the first two with Linear Lime wood trim and the Blond cabin with Driftwood trim. In both cases, the accent trim is Iron Ore aluminum, the headliner is Blond cloth, and the gear selector and steering wheel are trimmed in leatherette, except in the Blond interiors, in which case the steering wheel is finished in Blond/Charcoal leather.
The Ulimate's seats get perforated Nappa leather upholstery with ventilated front seats and a cabin in the same three color choices as the Plus, with an additional color scheme called Amber/Charcoal added, all with an Orrefors crystal gear selector and leatherette-trimmed dashboard. A charcoal leatherette steering wheel and Linear Lime wood trim again feature in all cases except for the Blond/Charcoal cabin, in which the former is exchanged for a leather-trimmed Blond/Charcoal item and the latter for Driftwood trim. The upholstery of the Black Edition is a combination of Nappa leather, leatherette, and textile in an all-Charcoal interior with a Charcoal headliner, but without the front-seat ventilation and with Metal Mesh interior trim and a Charcoal leatherette-trimmed sports steering wheel with a split lower spoke. You can still get the perforated Nappa leather with seat ventilation if you want.
Features and Infotainment
The Core is relatively well-equipped and comes with a few nice bonuses, such as a power panoramic sunroof, a hands-free power liftgate, and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. Also standard are keyless entry, cloth or leatherette upholstery, heated power front seats with driver's memory, dual-zone climate control, and a leatherette-trimmed tilting/telescoping steering wheel. As you move up the trim ladder, items such as leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, power-operated rear headrests, four-zone climate control, and more extensive electric seat adjustments are added, among other features.
Infotainment is taken care of by a centrally mounted portrait-style nine-inch touchscreen, and the Google Automotive-based and cloud-connected system comes with four-year subscriptions to the Volvo Cars App remote functions and to Google Services such as Google Assistant, Play Store, and Maps navigation. Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM with a three-month trial subscription, Bluetooth, and a ten-speaker audio system are also standard. A 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with a subwoofer is an $800 option on the Plus and standard on the Ultimate; the Ultimate also gets a head-up display.
Core | Plus | Ultimate | |
---|---|---|---|
Heated power front seats | S | S | S |
Leather upholstery | N/A | S | S |
Power panoramic sunroof | S | S | S |
14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system | N/A | O | S |
Head-up display | N/A | N/A | S |
Performance
Handling isn’t sporty, and the ride can be a little choppy at times, but the lower trims with their smaller wheels strike a good compromise.
With the twin-charged 295-hp B6 powertrain gone, the only remaining gas engine in the Volvo XC60 lineup is the turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder mild-hybrid B5 with 247 hp and 258 lb-ft. The T8 PHEV's 455-hp powertrain in the XC60 Recharge remains unchanged. All-wheel drive is the default drivetrain on all trims, in conjunction with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Specified like this, the Volvo XC60 has a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds, which is around the middle of the class, with some rivals offering better performance. As is the case with all Volvos, the XC60's top speed is limited to 112 mph. Trailering stats are decent, and the XC60 has a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The X3 can tow a higher 4,400 lbs, but the XC60's figure is a lot better than the Acura RDX's 1,500 lbs. With an 8.5-inch ground clearance and standard AWD, the XC60 can take on rough roads, but it is not meant for serious off-road work.
The XC60's ride is refined and unexciting, with less of a sporty bent than some may like. The steering is precise, albeit a little lacking in feel, yet the XC60 goes where it's pointed and faithfully follows the cornering line with good grip levels. But it feels its weight and doesn't provide much driver satisfaction in the process, so it's better at more sedate speeds when the quiet, roomy cabin and upscale furnishings can be best enjoyed. Ride quality is acceptable as long as you stick to the base trims' smaller wheels, but it's choppier on broken tar than the GLC. Opt for the top trims on their 20s or 21s, and the ride deteriorates sufficiently to make the $1,800 air suspension (available on Ultimate trims only) a must-have. This is an excellent setup and gives the XC60 a very good ride/handling balance, but it's not available on our favorite Plus trim. The engine feels torquey and passably refined in its mid-range, and the eight-speed auto mostly hooks the right gear without drawing undue attention to itself.
Fuel Efficiency
The Volvo XC60's mpg figures are about what you'd expect from a mild-hybrid AWD crossover in this class. The EPA's city/highway/combined figures peg gas mileage at 22/28/25 mpg, with that combined figure beating the gas AWD versions of the X3 and GV70 by 1 mpg.
An 18.8-gallon fuel capacity should see to it that you achieve a range of around 470 miles on a tank.
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas 8-Speed Automatic AWD | |
---|---|
Power | 247 hp |
Top speed | 112 mph |
MPG | 22/28/25 mpg |
0-60 | 6.5 sec. |
Towing Capacity | 3,500 lbs |
Safety
Safety is a strong point, with exemplary crash performance and a long list of driver assists. The Plus adds the adaptive cruise control and surround-view camera the Core misses out on.
As expected from an automaker that puts safety first, the 2024 NHTSA safety review of the Volvo XC60 gives it a full five-star rating. Over at the IIHS, it received mostly Good scores (except for the updated side and headlight tests, which were rated Acceptable) and a 2023 Top Safety Pick award.
The Core comes with front-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, oncoming-lane and lane-keep assist with steering assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors with automatic reverse braking, road-sign recognition, slippery-road alert, an auto-dimming function for all three rearview mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, and automatic LED headlights with auto high beams. The Plus also gets adaptive cruise control with Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving, a surround-view camera, front parking sensors, and a HomeLink transceiver. The Ultimate gets a head-up display as well.
Core | Plus | Ultimate | |
---|---|---|---|
Front-collision alert with braking | S | S | S |
Lane-keep & oncoming-lane steering assist | S | S | S |
Adaptive cruise control with Pilot Assist | S | S | S |
Blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert | S | S | S |
Surround-view camera | N/A | N/A | S |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
Reliability
The Volvo XC60's reliability scores are mediocre. JD Power gives it an overall score of 75 out of 100 and just 74 for Quality & Reliability. So far, the 2024 XC60 hasn't been recalled yet, but the 2023 model was recalled three times for an emergency-call system malfunction, a diagnostics error that can cause the loss of ABS and stability control, and a loss of drive power due to an ECM software error. The 2022 XC60 suffered the same ECM software error, and that model was also recalled for a steering wheel that may lock up while driving and a malfunctioning seatbelt locking retractor.
The 2024 Volvo XC60's warranty cover is commendable and does compensate to an extent. Both the limited and powertrain warranties run for four years or 50,000 miles, hybrid components are covered for eight years/100,000 miles, and complimentary scheduled servicing is included for a full three years or 36,000 miles.
Warranty
Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Hybrid/Electric Components | Roadside Assistance | Maintenance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 12 Years / Unlimited Miles | 8 Years / 100,000 Miles | 4 Years / Unlimited Miles | 3 Years / 36,000 Miles |
Design
The XC60's appearance was updated as recently as two years ago, and it still looks smart and modern in the typically understated Volvo fashion, despite its age. Distinctive features include the familiar Thor's Hammer DRLs and L-shaped taillights, with all exterior lighting using LED technology. LED foglights are fitted on the top two trims. All trims get a hands-free power liftgate and power panoramic sunroof, so they're mostly distinguishable by their footwear - 18-inch alloys on the Core, 19s on the Plus, 20s on the Ultimate, and 21s on the Ultimate Black Edition. Optional wheels in sizes up to 22 inches can be specified, depending on the trim. The exterior brightwork is all but gone this year, with a dark theme being used and minimal chrome in evidence. Opting for the Black Edition takes the black-out treatment to the extreme, with the body painted Onyx Black and all exterior trim, along with the badging and wheels, completely blacked out.
Verdict: Is The 2024 Volvo XC60 A Good SUV?
The XC60 is still an excellent SUV, despite its advanced years. It might not lead the class in ride and handling, but both are good enough for the average person, and its handsome styling has been updated over the years, so it still looks modern and trendy. It's decently equipped as well, even on the base trim. So far, none of these pros make it stand out in the class, but the way it looks after its occupants does. Its cabin is roomy in both rows, its seats very comfortable, and it comes with many standard safety features and driver assists included in the price, with our favorite Plus trim adding the missing ones. On these scores, it's still very hard to beat and should certainly be on your shortlist.