Pre-purchase inspection worth it for XC60
Volvo’s XC60 launched in Canada for 2010, competing with a range of popular midsized luxury crossovers with an eye for Swedish safety and style.
Included were Volvo’s thennew City Safety system, which could detect other vehicles, and autonomously brake in certain situations, to mitigate or prevent accidents. Other feature content included a three-mode suspension system, adaptive headlights, navigation, premium audio, and more.
A three-litre straight six engine, turbocharged for 281 horsepower, was offered at launch. For 2011, power output was increased to 300 horsepower. Most models were allwheel drive, though some were available in front-wheel drive, particularly with the 3.2-litre, non-turbo straight-six engine with 235 horsepower.
The T6 R-Design variant was offered from 2011, with cosmetic and chassis upgrades and an increased 325 horses. Models from 2015 could be fitted with a turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder, good for 250 horsepower, or Volvo’s new Drive-E engine, a turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder with 300 horsepower.
What owners like: Owners tend to rave about a safe, solid and planted feel, a relaxing and peaceful cabin, comfortable seats, and a blend of utility, performance and fuel economy. Unique styling appealed to many shoppers as well. The effectiveness of the AWD system and headlights are highly rated in the owner’s community.
What owners dislike: Some owners wish for less safety system warning beepers, as well as a more comfortable ride on rougher roads, particularly on models with upsized wheels, and especially with the R-Design model.
The test drive: Ask the seller if they’ve ever experienced a water leak from the windshield, particularly if the unit you’re considering is an earlier one.
This issue may be the result of improper installation of the windshield at the factory, and can result in water leaks down the inside of the vehicle in heavy rain. Wet carpeting, a mouldy smell, or water staining in the footwell areas may also be signs of this issue. On the topic of the windshield, make sure the one on the unit you’re considering is in good shape, free of cracks and chips, especially at the top of the glass. The XC60 uses various sensors and cameras mounted behind the upper, middle section of the windscreen to power its numerous safety systems, and any obstruction caused by damage to the glass can render the systems ineffective.
Drive the vehicle with an eye on the instrument cluster, noting any warning messages relating to non-functional safety systems, or safety system error messages. If you note any, be sure to have a technician investigate.
Turn the various systems on and off, several times, via their controls on the lower edge of the central control console, and check for signs of trouble. Try each exterior door handle, several times, ensuring that the handle returns to its closed position quickly and fully when released. If not, the door handle mechanism will likely need to be dismantled and lubricated. Some owners say this a regular maintenance task that contributes to proper door handle operation.
Because of several reports of broken coil springs on earlier models, shoppers are advised to have the XC60’s suspension system checked over by a technician, too. Check all on-board electronics, several times, for proper operation, including the Bluetooth interface, all remotes, the backup camera, the push-button start, all locks, the sunroof, and all climate and seating functions. Several owners have reported that corrupt vehicle software can cause rapid battery drain, which causes issues with various systems. If you notice any random error messages or non-functionality of multiple features, you’ll want to ensure all software updates have been applied, and that the battery and charging system are healthy.
Check the engine coolant level, too. If it seems low, or you notice a warning light requesting a top-up of engine coolant, the likely cause is an air bubble or two having worked its way into the system. This has happened to a number of owners of other Volvo models with the threelitre turbo engine, but it’s not a serious issue.
A final note — given the complex nature of numerous XC60 safety systems, and other features, be sure to budget for a pre-purchase inspection at a dealer, including a full electronics system scan.
Tell the service advisor you’d like the vehicle checked comprehensively, and that you want confirmation that all safety systems are functional, that the battery and charging system are healthy, that the suspension, and coil springs in particular, are healthy and intact. You’ll also want to see if any available software updates to the XC60’s systems still need to be applied.
The verdict: By and large, the XC60’s most commonly reported problems are far from serious or systematic and most will be easy to detect and address. Purchasing a model known to your local Volvo dealer, with all service and software up to date, is ideal for maximum peace of mind.