2024 Volvo XC60 review: Stylish and stylish, silky smooth on the highway

For those looking for a European alternative to German hardware, the 2024 Volvo XC60 is the perfect choice. Its handsome exterior and stylish, modern interior belie its no-nonsense approach to safety and performance. Both engines include an electric component, enhancing Volvo’s VLVLY,
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Commitment to an all-electric future. The cabin is very comfortable and full of technology. It’s a middle bag in overall length among its competitors, which means it’s well suited to urban conditions. But it’s also silky smooth on the highway. In other words, it’s a well-balanced five-passenger luxury SUV.

What’s new for 2024

Volvo has canceled the B6 powertrain as well as front-wheel drive versions of the B5 models. Therefore, the XC60 is only available with all-wheel drive.

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Volvo XC60 2024 prices

The 2024 Volvo XC60 starts at $46,650. This is for the AWD B5 Core trim level. At the top of the B5 lineup is the Final grade at $56,600. Volvo also offers the XC60 Recharge plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV). Each B5 trim level can be upgraded to the PHEV powertrain for $11,450. PHEV versions are also all-wheel drive. Given that B5 models offer AWD as standard equipment, their pricing is very competitive within the compact luxury segment. For example, prices for the Genesis GV70, Acura RDX, and Audi Q5 start in the mid-40s.

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Staying within the Volvo family, if you need something smaller, the XC40 starts at $40,100, while the larger XC90 starts at $56,000.

We are part of the B5 XC60 Plus category. For an extra $4,500 over the Core, you get a ton of extra goodies like a surround-view camera, leather seats, adaptive cruise control, and more.

These are Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices and do not include the factory-to-dealer delivery fee of $1,095 (destination fee.)

Before you buy a Volvo XC60, check the purchase price at Kelley Blue Book Fair to find out what you should really pay. Although a couple of other cars in this segment have higher residual values, such as the Lexus NX and Buick Envision, the Volvo XC60 maintains an above-average residual value. For example, it’s higher than the Acura RDX, Audi Q5, and BMW X3.

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Power, ride and handling

Volvo has specified two engines for the XC60. Both are affected to some extent by electricity. The base setup is a 247-hp turbocharged four-cylinder that transfers its output to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Although the B5 doesn’t have the charm of competitors like the Genesis GV70 (300 hp) or Lincoln Corsair (280 hp), its power output is about average for the class. It certainly provides the XC60 with the right power for a small luxury SUV. Volvo tells us that B5 versions can sprint to 60 mph from a standstill in 6.9 seconds, which is also about average for the segment.

Stepping up to the XC60 Recharge plug-in hybrid not only offers 35 miles of all-electric driving range, it also reduces 0-60 mph acceleration in 4.5 seconds. We also found that the interplay between the gas engine, electric motor, and regenerative braking is very good.

Ride quality is tuned primarily for comfort and composure rather than any heroics in handling. The more expensive Ultimate model also offers the option of adaptive air suspension. We’re fans of the XC60’s predictable, comfortable ride quality.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of compact luxury SUVs, including the Volvo XC60.

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Fuel economy

B5 versions deliver 25 mpg combined in combined driving (22 city, 28 highway). Not surprisingly, the Recharge PHEV delivers more mileage. It’s rated for 35 miles on electricity alone, and once the electrons run out and it kicks into gear like a typical gas-electric hybrid, mileage is 28 mpg combined (28 city, 28 highway). Using a Level 2 charger, it will take less than five hours to charge the battery.

More information about the XC60’s fuel economy is available on the EPA website.

Modern cabin

The occupied space is more than enough for most people. Rear legroom is 38 inches, which is about average for the segment. Cargo space ranges from 21.6 behind the rear seat to 49.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. This also applies to the XC60 Recharge versions, even with their plug-in hybrid hardware. This is slightly below average for the sector but still very good.

In the base model, the seating surfaces are made of leather. The real stuff – leather – comes higher in the hierarchy.

But the interesting thing is that Volvo offers City Weave fabric on the base models. It’s wool, which sounds like the last thing anyone would want in Arizona (or similar hot places), but it’s extremely durable and maintains a nice temperature no matter what the weather.

Then there are the usual Volvo touches, like the wonderfully comfortable front seats, optional rear-seat cushions, and the Crystal Glass shift knob on the Ultimate model.

The quality of materials is top notch. Just run your finger over the ultra-fine Driftwood inlays (available on the Plus model), and it’s hard to believe sandpaper comes in this fine.

Convincing exterior

In addition to the main trim levels of the XC60 range, Volvo offers a choice of chrome or black exterior accent elements for the Plus and Ultimate versions. The good news is that there is no difference in price between Bright and Dark.

The Polestar Engineered model wears 21-inch alloy wheels as standard. Available colors range from black to gray to white. The rest of the lineup has a wider choice.

Our favorite features and technologies

Google/Android infotainment system
Before we continue, Apple AAPL,
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CarPlay is also standard on the 2024 XC60. But this is a modern system, and apps like Google Maps are preferred. Users with Google GOOGL,
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The account can sign in and sync its calendars. It is also capable of performing over-the-air updates.

Surround vision camera system
When maneuvering in tight spaces, this system shows the driver a complete view around the vehicle, as if it were filmed from a drone. Front and rear sensors add another layer of reassurance. Standard on top two models.

Pilot assistance
It’s not a hands-free driving feature, but Pilot Assist provides steering assistance through adaptive cruise control to take some of the stress out of longer trips. Standard from the Plus trim level.

Front seat cushion accessories
Yes, the regular front seats are great. But extra support below the thigh is always welcome, especially for taller types. These are standard on the Ultimate model.

Adaptive air suspension
It’s an exclusive option with the Ultimate model and offers great settings at both ends of the sport-comfort spectrum.

Bowers and Wilkins audio
The Ultimate model has Harman Kardon’s excellent setup standards. But this optional 15-speaker/1,400-watt surround-sound system costs $3,200 and is one of the best systems available in this segment.

Engine and transmission

Volvo powers the XC60 models with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The affordable B5 trims are mated to a mild hybrid electric system (MHEV) that powers some of the electric components. This frees the engine to devote all its power to the wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. More expensive XC60 Recharge models pair the Turbo-4 with a battery-electric drive system. This allows XC60 Recharge versions to run on electric-only power for up to 35 miles.

Hybrid fuel saving

If you drive 15,000 miles a year, filling up a B5 engine will cost you about $220 a month (according to EPA calculations at the time of writing). Covering the same amount of miles with the XC60 Recharge would cost about $130 per month. Saving $90 a month won’t cover the XC60 Recharge’s price premium, but maybe that’ll be a nice little cherry on top of the significant increase in performance.

4 year/50,000 mile warranty

Volvo issues the same warranty coverage as most of its luxury European competitors. The bumper-to-bumper limited warranty lasts for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. Powertrain coverage is the same. Furthermore, Volvo offers free scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles. XC60 Recharge models have a battery coverage of eight years or 100,000 miles.

Safety assessments

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the XC60 and XC60 Recharge the highest overall score of 5 stars. Because of the new testing protocol, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is still testing the 2024 XC60 and XC60 Recharge. The IIHS named both Top Safety Pick+ winners for 2022. Standard advanced safety technologies include blind-spot monitoring with steering assist, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency. Braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection.

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KBB car review methodology.

This story was originally published on KBB.com.