Volvo XC60

Been There, Done That

Volvo is steadily shifting towards plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles globally, and that shift has been shaping its offerings list in India as well. EVs have become all the rage in our market, and following this trend, Volvo has now switched its most popular model here — the XC40 — to an electric-only offering. Volvo also introduced the 400+ bhp C40 Recharge to the Indian market, and has reduced its ICE-powered offerings to just three models. One of those three is the XC60, Volvo’s very own premium mid-size SUV, which goes up against the likes of Mercedes-Benz GLC, Audi Q5, and the BMW X3. However, with all ICE-powered cars soon to be axed by the Swedish manufacturer, the XC60 sits in the market with an ageing exterior and interior, awaiting its eventual demise. It does get a new 2.0-litre mild-hybrid engine which is powerful and fuel-efficient, but it also has some cons that are hard to look past. With that said, is the XC60 still an SUV worth considering in the ₹70-75 lakh bracket? Let’s have a look.

Volvo XC60 Pros and Cons

Volvo XC60 Exterior Design

The Volvo XC60 has been largely unchanged since this generation was launched, only getting small nips and tucks in the facelift. While the design of the XC60 is handsome and sharp, some bits, especially on the front end, have become too familiar on the streets to feel fresh. The fact that all Volvo sedans and SUVs share similar front-end designs doesn’t help either, leaving a craving for something new. The iconic "Thor’s hammer" LED headlamps maintain the XC60’s unmistakable presence as you move over to the sides, and it also gets handsome 19-inch alloy wheels. At the rear, the design is much more appealing — thanks to being more unique — since it was only shared with the now-discontinued V60 estate, which wasn’t popular in India anyway. The omission of pseudo exhaust tips and diffuser from the rear bumper has given the XC60 a much cleaner look than its rivals, and overall, the XC60 makes for a clean, elegant SUV.

Volvo XC60 Interiors

The interior of the XC60 repeats a similar story, feeling too familiar, having shared the design with almost all other Volvos from the generation. However, while the design is slightly old, it is clean and upmarket, and high-quality materials ensure a rich and luxurious experience. The centrepiece is the 9-inch vertical touchscreen with integrated climate control, leaving only a handful of physical buttons on the dashboard, primarily for defoggers and changing audio tracks. The updated digital instrument cluster and the addition of a wireless charging pad beside the crystal gear shifter elevate the cabin's luxury appeal. The cabin is spacious too, with enough space for five adults to sit comfortably in the cabin. A large 483-litre boot ensures practicality, making this an ideal weekend getaway vehicle for a small family.

Volvo XC60 Comfort

The XC60's seating, particularly at the front, offers exemplary support, complemented by massage, heating, and ventilation functions. However, rear passengers will find under-thigh support lacking. All seats are a tad too firm too, and while that will be slightly uncomfortable for shorter journeys, it will pay off on every long drive you go on in the SUV. The suspension though presents a mixed bag, delivering a less-than-plush ride over potholes and uneven roads. While high-speed stability is commendable, the absence of adaptive dampers means the XC60 doesn’t match the softer ride of some competitors, leaning more towards a composed but firm driving experience. The firmer suspension doesn’t necessarily translate to great handling either.

Volvo XC60 Performance and Handling

Under the hood of the XC60 is a new 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo-petrol mild-hybrid engine that puts out 250 bhp. The hybrid system enhances initial acceleration and overall refinement, with minimal noise and vibration. Despite its laid-back character and absence of drive modes, the XC60 provides ample performance. The 8-speed automatic transmission, however, takes away from the experience, with its slow response times and an unintuitive manual mode which requires you to horizontally tug at the small crystal shifter. The inclusion of paddle shifters or packing in a larger shifter lever with a longitudinal orientation for manual mode could’ve solved this issue halfway, but Volvo has chosen not to do that.

The XC60 is an SUV that is best driven in a relaxed and leisurely manner, and if it had a softer suspension, it would be a perfect SUV to be driven around in. Its handling is predictable and secure, thanks to a stiff suspension setup, but there’s still noticeable body roll when going around corners, making it unexciting to drive.

Volvo XC60 Key specifications

Volvo XC60 Safety Features

Volvo is the leading brand globally when it comes to automotive safety, and the same comes across in the XC60. Besides having a stable body shell that absorbs impacts better than most, the XC60 also gets seven airbags, which can inflate to specific levels depending on the level of impact. And if the impact doesn’t warrant the need for airbags to be deployed, the car will only deploy the seat belt pre-tensioners. The XC60 also gets some Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) like lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and a clever feature called pilot assist, which acts like a traffic jam assist, taking over from the driver in stop-start traffic. However, it is important to note that these systems are calibrated for European and American motorway traffic, and perhaps won’t work as well in our city traffic conditions. There’s also a host of other safety features including ESC, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX child seat mounts, a tyre pressure monitoring system, whiplash protection system, and more. Given the long list of safety features, it is no surprise that the XC60 bagged a 5-star crash rating from Euro NCAP, scoring a whopping 98% score for adult occupant protection, and 87% for child occupant protection.

Volvo XC60 Technology and Infotainment

The XC60's infotainment system is centred around a 9-inch touchscreen unit, which gets Google apps built-in. Thanks to this, you don’t need to pair your smartphone with the car to run Google Maps, and connected tech also allows it to get real-time traffic updates and app updates. Further, you can also access the app store to download more apps, like Spotify. However, its complexity and the integration of air conditioning controls into the touchscreen may pose a challenge to some users. The system is paired with an extraordinary Bowers and Wilkins audio system, and the XC60 also gets other features like a wireless smartphone charger, heated, ventilated, and massaging seats, an air purifier, and more.

Is the Volvo XC60 for You?

Most luxury cars in various segments in India are usually designed around a particular type of buyer. Some cars are better for the self-driven, while some cars are better for the chauffeur-driven. However, with the XC60, Volvo has missed doing that, and while attempting to create an all-rounder, it has created a car that doesn’t deliver either experience to the fullest. Cutting-edge comprehensive safety and tech features, and advanced driver assistance systems aside, the XC60 packs little to stand apart from the crowd. The draw of the refined and powerful 2.0-litre mild-hybrid engine is diluted by the gearbox, and the experience of the luxurious and well-finished interiors is disturbed by a stiff ride. Adding an ageing design on top of that, the XC60 is left with very little to pull the audience away from the recently updated rivals, which include the Mercedes-Benz GLC, Audi Q5, and the BMW X3, all of which offer a better package.