Volvo XC60 review

The Volvo XC60 is one of a number of models that has changed the public’s perception of the brand in recent years. Not all that long ago, Volvo was viewed as the fuddy-duddy, affordable estate-focused alternative to the premium German triumvirate of Audi, BMW and Mercedes. Well, these days, with its revamped range, Volvo isn't simply knocking on the door of that exclusive premium club — it's partying hard inside.

Of course, when your price tag is reflecting your premium ambitions, your product needs to match up. That's the challenge faced by the Volvo XC60, which sits above the excellent Volvo XC40 in its SUV lineup.

The XC60, though, is based on the same underpinnings as Volvo’s flagship SUV, the luxurious XC90. However, it's shorter, several thousand pounds cheaper, and comes with only five seats instead of the XC90’s seven. It’s aimed squarely at stealing customers from its other large premium SUV rivals, which include the Audi Q5, Land Rover Discovery Sport and BMW X3. 

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Those rivals are ideal for families and have a multitude of qualities the XC60 needs to emulate, namely space, a plush and well-built interior and a varied range of strong and efficient engines. 

Is the XC60 up to the challenge? What are its strengths and weaknesses? Which engines and trims make the most sense? Read on over the next few pages for all the answers.

And if you decide the XC60 is for you, don't forget to check out our New Car Buying pages, where you could save a small fortune without any awkward haggling.