Used Volvo XC60 long-term test review

The car 2018 Volvo XC60 D4 AWD R-Design auto

Run by Mark Pearson, used cars editor

Why it’s here To find out if buying a year-old premium SUV like the XC60 makes good sense, and to see if it’s a viable alternative to a new car with a less premium badge for the same money

Needs to Inject a bit of Scandi-cool into the suburbs as well as cope with a variety of uses, including daily commuting, motorway journeys, school runs and family life

Price when new £41,570 Price when new with all options £47,395 Value on arrival £36,200 Miles on arrival 2855 Miles now 5410 Official economy 50.4mpg Test economy 39.0mpg CO2 emissions 148g/km 0-62mph 8.4sec Top speed 127mph Power 188bhp Insurance group 31E Options Intellisafe Pro Pack (£1500); Sensus Connect with premium sound by Harman Kardon (£825); Fusion Red metallic paint (£650); powered driver seat with memory for seat and exterior mirrors (£600); Winter Pack (£525); keyless entry and start with hands-free tailgate (£500); powered passenger seat with memory (£400); Convenience Pack (£375); Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (£300); and Tempa spare wheel and jack (£150)

15 April 2019 – An Apple a day and the Volvo's huge loadbay

Our XC60 comes with many desirable extras including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a £300 option. This is a boon for anyone who likes to play their own music through the impressive Harman Kardon sound system (an £825 option) or send messages or access some of the facilities on their phone via the touchscreen. Alas, I keep forgetting to take the cable that connects the phone to the system, without which it won’t work, and I’m not wealthy enough to leave one permanently in the car. Of course some manufacturers have the tech to make this work without the cable connection, which would be perfect for a klutz like me.

Mind you, in my mind none of these electrical features are as useful as the car’s ability to fold its rear seats (admittedly at the touch of two very convenient electric buttons) and leave a boot floor large enough to take a couple of bulky 160cm-long bookcases.

In few other cars do you get such a handsome combination of the plush and the practical, and with such capabilities it's no wonder the XC60 is such a popular car.  

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here

More from our long-term Volvo XC60 >

See more long-term test reports >

Buy a new car with What Car?

Before you buy, visit What Car?’s new car deals section.

We have discounted deals on most new cars on sale, so you're never far away from finding a new car deal in your area.

It's all based on Target Price, which is the price we think you should pay based on research by our team of mystery shoppers, and the best discounts they can achieve.