By Russ Heaps
Updated August 30, 2023
The 2024 Volvo XC60 is a compact luxury SUV with European flair as well as a Scandinavian-vibe cabin, solid safety ratings, and elegant styling. Prices start at $46,450.
For those searching for a European alternative to German hardware, the 2024 Volvo XC60 is the go-to. Its handsome exterior and elegant, modern interior belies its no-nonsense approach to safety and performance. Both powertrains include an electrified component, reinforcing Volvo’s commitment to an all-electric future. The cabin is exceedingly comfortable and loaded with technology. It’s about midpack in overall length among its rivals, meaning it’s well suited to urban conditions. But it’s also smooth as silk cruising on the highway. In other words, it’s a well-balanced 5-passenger luxury SUV.
Volvo eliminated the B6 powertrain as well as the front-wheel drive versions of the B5 models. Consequently, the XC60 is only available with AWD.
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 Ultimate grade at $56,600. Volvo also offers the XC60 Recharge plug-in hybrid (PHEV). Every B5 trim level can be upgraded to the PHEV powertrain for $11,450. The PHEV versions are also AWD. Considering the B5 models provide AWD as standard equipment, their pricing is very competitive within the compact luxury segment. For example, the Genesis GV70, Acura RDX, and Audi Q5 have starting prices in the mid-$40s.
Staying within the Volvo family, if you require something smaller, the XC40 starts at $40,100, while the larger XC90 has a beginning price of $56,000.
We’re partial to the B5 XC60 Plus grade. For that extra $4,500 over the Core, you get a hefty load of extra goodies like a surround-view camera, leather seating, adaptive cruise control, and more.
XC60 Core | $46,650 |
XC60 Plus | $51,150 |
XC60 Ultimate | $56,600 |
XC60 Recharge Core | $58,100 |
XC60 Recharge Plus | $62,600 |
XC60 Recharge Ultimate | $68,050 |
XC60 Recharge Polestar | $75,450 |
These are manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) and don’t include the $1,095 factory-to-dealer delivery fee (destination charge).
Before buying the Volvo XC60, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Although a couple of others in the segment have a higher residual value, like the Lexus NX and Buick Envision, the Volvo XC60 maintains a higher-than-average residual value. For example, it’s higher than the Acura RDX, the Audi Q5, and the BMW X3.
Volvo has assigned two powertrains to the XC60. Both are influenced to some degree by electricity. The base setup is a 247-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that funnels its output to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Although the B5 doesn’t have the zing of rivals like the Genesis GV70 (300 horsepower) or the Lincoln Corsair (280 horsepower), its power output is about average for the segment. It certainly provides the XC60 with appropriate muscle for a small luxury SUV. Volvo tells us B5 versions can gallop 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 doesn’t only deliver 35 miles of all-electric driving range, it also drops the 0-60 mph sprint to a scalding 4.5 seconds. We’ve also found the interplay of the gas engine, electric motor, and regenerative braking very well sorted.
The ride quality is tuned primarily for comfort and composure rather than for any handling heroics. The most expensive Ultimate trim also offers the option of an adaptive air suspension. We are cheerleaders for the XC60’s comfy, predictable ride quality.
We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of compact luxury SUVs, including the Volvo XC60.
The B5 versions deliver 25 mpg in combined driving (22 city, 28 highway). Not surprisingly, the Recharge PHEV delivers better mileage. It’s rated for 35 miles on electricity alone, and once the electrons run out and it begins operating as a typical gas-electric hybrid, mileage is 28 mpg combined (28 city, 28 highway). Using a Level 2 charger, topping off the battery will take less than five hours.
More XC60 fuel economy information is available on the EPA’s website.
Occupant space is more than sufficient for most people. Rear legroom is a healthy 38 inches, which is about average for the segment. The cargo area goes from 21.6 behind the rear seat to 49.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. That also applies to the XC60 Recharge versions, even with their extra plug-in hybrid hardware. This is a little below average for the segment but is still quite good.
In the Core trim, the seating surfaces are simulated leather. The real stuff — leather — comes higher up the pecking order.
One interesting thing, though, is that Volvo offers City Weave fabric in Core models. It’s wool, which sounds like the last thing anyone in Arizona (or similarly hot places) would want, but it’s hard-wearing and retains a pleasant temperature no matter what the weather is doing.
Then there are the usual touches typical of Volvo, like the wonderfully comfortable front seats, the optional booster cushions for the rear seats, and the crystal glass gearshift knob in the Ultimate trim.
The quality of materials is top-notch. Just run a finger along the super-smooth Driftwood inlays (available from the Plus trim), and it’s hard to believe that sandpaper comes in such a fine grade.
In addition to the key trim levels for the XC60 lineup, Volvo provides a choice of chrome or black exterior accent elements for the Plus and Ultimate versions. The good news is there’s 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 broader choice.
Google/Android Infotainment System
Before we go on, Apple CarPlay is also standard in the 2024 XC60. But this is an up-to-date system, favoring apps like Google Maps. Users with a Google account can sign in and sync their calendars. It’s also capable of over-the-air updates.
Surround-View Camera System
When maneuvering in tight spots, this system shows the driver a complete view around the vehicle, as if shot from a drone. Parking sensors, front and rear, add another layer of reassurance. Standard in the two upper trims.
Pilot Assist
Not a hands-free driving feature, but Pilot Assist provides steering assistance with the adaptive cruise control to lessen some of the grind of long journeys. Standard from the Plus trim level.
Front Seat Cushion Extensions
Yes, the regular front seats are great. But extra under-thigh support is always welcome, especially for taller types. These are standard in the Ultimate trim.
Adaptive Air Suspension
It’s an exclusive option with the Ultimate trim and provides superb settings at both ends of the comfort-sport spectrum.
Bowers & Wilkins Audio
The Ultimate trim has an excellent Harman Kardon setup standard. But this optional 15-speaker/1,400-watt surround-sound system costs $3,200 and is one of the finest available in the segment.
Volvo arms XC60 models with a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. More affordable B5 trims mesh it with a mild hybrid (MHEV) electric system that operates some electrical components. This frees the engine to devote all its power to the wheels by way of an 8-speed automatic transmission. The much pricier XC60 Recharge trims pair the turbo-4 with a plug-in battery-powered electric motor (PHEV) system. This allows the XC60 Recharge versions to operate on electric power only for up to 35 miles.
If you drive 15,000 miles per year, filling the B5 engine will cost you roughly $220 per month (according to EPA calculations at the time of writing). Covering the same amount of miles with the XC60 Recharge will cost about $130 per month. Saving $90 per month won’t cover the price premium of the XC60 Recharge, but perhaps it’s a nice little cherry on top of the big increase in performance.
Volvo issues the same warranty coverage as most of its European luxury rivals. The bumper-to-bumper limited warranty lasts four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. The powertrain coverage is the same. Moreover, Volvo provides complimentary scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles. XC60 Recharge models have their battery covered for eight years or 100,000 miles.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rated the XC60 and XC60 Recharge with its highest overall score of 5 stars. Because of a new testing protocol, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is still testing the 2024 XC60 and XC60 Recharge. IIHS named both to its elite Top Safety Pick+ winners for 2022. Among the standard advanced safety technologies are blind-spot monitoring with steering assist, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection.
Our Expert Ratings come from hours of both driving and number crunching to make sure that you choose the best car for you. We comprehensively experience and analyze every new SUV, car, truck, or minivan for sale in the U.S. and compare it to its competitors. When all that dust settles, we have our ratings.
We require new ratings every time an all-new vehicle or a new generation of an existing vehicle comes out. Additionally, we reassess those ratings when a new-generation vehicle receives a mid-cycle refresh — basically, sprucing up a car in the middle of its product cycle (typically, around the 2-3 years mark) with a minor facelift, often with updates to features and technology.
Rather than pulling random numbers out of the air or off some meaningless checklist, KBB’s editors rank a vehicle to where it belongs in its class. Before any car earns its KBB rating, it must prove itself to be better (or worse) than the other cars it’s competing against as it tries to get you to spend your money buying or leasing.
Our editors drive and live with a given vehicle. We ask all the right questions about the interior, the exterior, the engine and powertrain, the ride and handling, the features, the comfort, and of course, about the price. Does it serve the purpose for which it was built? (Whether that purpose is commuting efficiently to and from work in the city, keeping your family safe, making you feel like you’ve made it to the top — or that you’re on your way — or making you feel like you’ve finally found just the right partner for your lifestyle.)
We take each vehicle we test through the mundane — parking, lane-changing, backing up, cargo space and loading — as well as the essential — acceleration, braking, handling, interior quiet and comfort, build quality, materials quality, reliability.
It’s the dynamic midsize SUV with refreshed design details and smarter than ever.
Curb Weight | 4154 lbs. | ||
---|---|---|---|
Fuel Capacity | 18.8 gallons | ||
Front Head Room | 38.0 inches | ||
Front Leg Room | 41.5 inches | ||
Max Seating Capacity | 5 | ||
Minimum Ground Clearance | 8.5 inches | ||
Overall Length | 185.4 inches | ||
Front Shoulder Room | 58.2 inches | ||
Towing Capacity, Maximum | 3500 lbs. | ||
Trunk or Cargo Capacity | 63.3 cu.ft. | ||
Turning Diameter | 37.4 feet | ||
Wheel Base | 112.8 inches | ||
Width with mirrors | 83.3 inches |
Alloy Wheels | Available | ||
---|---|---|---|
Fog Lights | Available | ||
Number of Doors | 4 doors | ||
Panorama Moon Roof | Available | ||
Privacy Glass | Available | ||
Roof Rails | Available | ||
LED Headlights | Available |
City | 22 mpg | ||
---|---|---|---|
Highway | 28 mpg | ||
Combined | 25 mpg |
Drivetrain | AWD | ||
---|---|---|---|
Transmission Type | Automatic | ||
8 speed | Available | ||
Recommended Fuel | Premium | ||
Hill Descent Control | Available | ||
Hill Start Assist | Available | ||
Parking Assist System | Available |
Horsepower | 247 @ 5400 RPM | ||
---|---|---|---|
Torque | 258 @ 1800 rpm | ||
Engine | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | ||
0 to 60 | 6.5 seconds |
Basic | 4 years / 50000 miles | ||
---|---|---|---|
Powertrain | 4 years / 50000 miles | ||
Corrosion | 12 years / Unlimited miles |
Forward collision warning
Standard in every new XC60 luxury compact SUV, this system includes automatic emergency braking, plus pedestrian and cyclist detection.
Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)
Also known as blind-spot monitoring, this is another standard feature is joined by cross-traffic alert, steering assistance, and automatic emergency braking.
Oncoming Lane Mitigation
If it looks like the XC60 is about to cross over the dividing line, this standard feature activates enough steering correction to get this Swedish SUV back in its own lane.
New 2024 Volvo XC60 | New 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC | New 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLB | New 2024 Audi Q5 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Price | $47,645 | $48,600 | $45,700 | $46,495 | |
KBB.com Rating | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.3 | 4.5 | |
Consumer Rating | 3.6 | N/A | 4.2 | 4.2 | |
Fuel Economy | City 22/Hwy 28/Comb 25 MPG | City 26/Hwy 33/Comb 29 MPG | City 25/Hwy 33/Comb 28 MPG | City 23/Hwy 29/Comb 26 MPG | |
Fuel Type | Gas | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Safety Rating | 5.0 | N/A | N/A | 5.0 | |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 | 7 | 5 | |
Basic Warranty | 4 years or 50000 miles | 4 years or 50000 miles | 4 years or 50000 miles | 4 years or 50000 miles | |
Horsepower | 247 @ 5400 RPM | 255 HP | 221 @ 5500 RPM | 201 HP | |
Engine | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, MHEV, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | |
Drivetrain | AWD | RWD | FWD | AWD |
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