Volvo XC60
Stylish baby brother to XC90 is our favourite Premium SUV. But is it good enough to retain its crown?
THE Volvo XC60 is a key rival for the X3 to beat, as it impressed us enough in 2017 to claim the Auto Express Best Premium SUV title. Here we’re testing the 2.0-litre diesel D4 model in R-design trim, which costs £39,705.
DESIGN & ENGINEERING
THE Volvo XC60’S Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform means it shares a lot of parts with the larger XC90 SUV, and it’s easy to spot many of those similarities. The exterior and interior design are clearly closely linked on both cars.
Both models also use the same set of fourcylinder engines. There are no six-cylinder versions of the XC60, with Volvo instead relying on hybrid power and big turbochargers to compete with larger-engined rivals for pace. This version is the smallest D4 diesel and with 187bhp it matches the X3 20d’s 2.0-litre unit. All XC60S get four-wheel drive and with Volvo’s eight-speed auto box fitted here our D4’s powertrain is par for the course.
At the front, double wishbone suspension helps improve agility and comfort on the road, while the integral-link rear set-up with a transverse leaf spring helps to keep weight down and improve boot space.
Volvo offers an Active Four-c Chassis system as a £1,500 option, which adds adaptive dampers and air suspension at the rear. It was fitted to our test car, and it’s a worthwhile option as, like the X3, it allows you to tweak the chassis set-up.
There’s plenty of kit as standard, including satnav, DAB, heated seats and LED headlights. The latter are a £915 option on the F-pace. However, you will need to pay extra for a reversing camera with the Volvo, which is included in the X3’s list price.
DRIVING
THE BMW and Jaguar deliver sweet handling, but the Volvo feels much more set up for comfort, although it doesn’t do away with agility.
The adaptive dampers on our car meant it was able to soak up bumps on rough roads fairly well. In the stiffer setting it does feel harsher than either of its rivals, but the default mode is a nice balance between agility, composure and comfort.
However, the R-design model’s larger 19-inch wheels do impact this and lower trim levels we’ve tried with smaller wheels are more compliant.
The steering is lighter in the Scandinavian SUV than its rivals, but it’s well weighted in the XC60 and it’s enough to give confidence in placing the car. It does lag behind its rivals a little when it comes to dynamic ability and enjoyment.
However, in this class it’s not such an issue, because owners will be more interested in ride comfort; so it’s a shame that the XC60 feels a little harsher than the X3 on rougher roads.
The 2.0-litre diesel engine is no smoother than its rivals here, although none of our trio’s engines is particularly characterful to use. They do all offer decent performance, though, and in our tests the 187bhp Volvo fared pretty well against its rivals.
At the track it managed 30-70mph in 8.3 seconds, a lot faster than the Jaguar’s 9.4-second time, but behind the X3’s 8.1 seconds. The driving position is comfortable in the Volvo, although the seats in the BMW and Jaguar are actually even more supportive, plus you get leather as standard on those cars. There’s a good level of comfort on long journeys as a result.
However, while the transmission is smooth and upshifts early, if you rev the motor hard it’s as loud as the F-pace’s engine and not particularly pleasant to listen to. The Swedish model’s engine is certainly not as hushed as the X3’s more refined motor.
PRACTICALITY
THE Volvo has the smallest boot here at 505 litres, but look again and you’ll realise that it’s only 45 litres down on the BMW’S, which is big enough for most situations.
A powered tailgate is standard, although that’s also true of both rivals. The level of usability is boosted by deep door bins and a useful centre storage tray with a shuttered cover. Both the BMW and Jaguar offer a similar number of trays and compartments.
Even with a tall driver there’s enough room for adults in the back, where it feels more spacious than the Jaguar. There’s plenty of leg and headroom, and it’s a match for the similarly-sized BMW. Both beat the F-pace, which feels more cramped.
OWNERSHIP
VOLVO’S focus on safety means the XC60 is fitted with lots of potentially life-saving equipment as standard.
Autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, dual-stage airbags and traffic sign recognition are all fitted as standard, while there’s also a system called oncoming lane mitigation, which steers away from oncoming traffic to avoid a head-on collision.
The Volvo put in a very impressive performance during its Euro NCAP crash test as a result, receiving a full five-star rating, matching the X3 and F-pace.
RUNNING COSTS
ALTHOUGH Volvo offers fixed-price servicing, the XC60 will cost £1,029 to maintain over three years. That’s well behind Jaguar’s offer of £699 for a five-year service deal, but it’s the X3’s £399 three-year package that is the most cost-effective.
The Volvo fared well on our mixed test route in terms of fuel economy, returning 39.4mpg. That beat both the Jaguar F-pace’s 37.9mpg figure and the BMW’S 33.5mpg result. It means there’s a £295 difference in annual fuel costs in the Volvo’s favour.
MODEL TESTED: Volvo XC60 D4 R-design Auto PRICE: £39,705 ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 187bhp