2023 Volvo XC60 Performance

The performance of the Volvo XC60 varies depending on the engine in play. All three options are four-cylinder powertrains, though the B5 gets turbocharging while the B6 gets supercharging, too. The T8, on the other hand, gets plug-in hybrid assistance and is a lot more powerful. The B6 gives the SUV all the power it needs to feel effortless around town in the form of 295 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Volvo claims it's more than half a second quicker than the B5, taking 5.9 seconds to go from 0-60 mph. The B5 has an adequate 247 hp and 258 lb-ft and gets to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds with FWD and 6.5 with AWD.

Opting for one of the PHEV models grants you access to a lot more power, to the tune of 455 hp and 523 lb-ft. In this guise, the SUV hustles from 0-60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. This puts the XC60 more on par with the high-performance German competition, though top speed is electronically limited to 112 mph. Regardless of configuration, the Volvo is rated to tow 3,500 pounds.

There are three distinct powertrain setups available to the XC60, with the base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine including a turbocharger to deliver 247 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Adding a supercharger changes the base B5 into the B6, which produces a higher 295 hp and 310 lb-ft. The PHEV trims make use of the T8 engine, which adds an electric motor to the twin-charged engine, delivering a total of 455 hp and 523 lb-ft. Last year's 400-hp/472-lb-ft T8 option is no longer offered. The B5 powertrain is paired with a FWD drivetrain, though it can equip the AWD drivetrain that is standard on the rest. An eight-speed automatic transmission is in charge of rowing the gears for every trim level.

The B5 doesn't struggle to move the midsize SUV, but it doesn't get the job done in a great hurry. For a kick in the pants, the B6 is the way to go. It supplies better acceleration around town and makes it easier to merge on the highway, but it's still by no means racy. For truly effortless cruising, the Polestar Engineered T8 is leagues ahead of anything else in the range.

Luxury SUVs don't boast the best gas mileage, and the XC60 doesn't break the mold in this department. The most efficient engine is the B5, which achieves 23/30/26 mpg across the city/highway/combined cycles when equipped with FWD and 23/29/25 mpg with AWD. The B6 supercharges things, lowering economy to 21/27/23 mpg. Though the most powerful, the T8 is also the most efficient. It achieves 63 MPGe and once the battery pack is depleted, the combined figure drops to 28 mpg.

The PHEV's 14.9-kWh battery can be recharged at a public charging station or at home, but Volvo provides a handy feature that you can activate to charge it with the gas engine when necessary. With its 18.8-gallon fuel tank capacity, the XC60 can travel between 432 and 489 miles, while the T8 can manage 560 miles. The PHEV also has up to 36 miles of all-electric range; this setup will be the norm for future T8 powertrains going forward.