Used 2020 Volvo XC60

#7 in Best Small Luxury SUVs of 2020

The 2020 Volvo XC60 is a 2-row/5-passenger compact-luxury SUV that competes with the likes of the Acura RDX, Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC. In its favor are attractive styling, a variety of sophisticated powertrains and multiple accident-avoidance features. You can order your XC60 with a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with 250 horsepower, a turbocharged and supercharged engine with 316 horsepower, or even as a plug-in hybrid variant that has 400 total horsepower and can travel 18 to 22 miles on electricity alone. The new Polestar Engineered model ups the PHEV ante with 415 horsepower.

Even a base 2020 Volvo XC60, the T5 model, is an unexpected delight. With 250 horsepower, it’s quick, though not quite as sprightly as the T6 model, with its turbocharged and supercharged powerplant that puts out 316 horsepower. Merging onto the freeway in the T5 or T6 is a breeze, and the XC60 maintains freeway speeds with an uncanny ease that makes 70 mph seem like about 55.

The T8, with 400 (or 415) horsepower coming from its hybrid gas/electric powertrain, is in another performance league altogether, with a rear-mounted electric motor driving the back wheels. While we appreciate the serious abundance of power, the transitions between gas and electric propulsion aren’t as smooth as those we felt recently in the new Toyota Corolla Hybrid.

Nevertheless, with all three powertrains, this Volvo SUV has a safe and reassuring manner, and multiple drive modes allow you to create an XC60 that’s sporty, comfortable, extra efficient or prepared to tackle some mild off-road driving.

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Inside, the 5-seat 2020 Volvo XC60 shares an upscale feel with its bigger brother, the XC90, and one of the key design elements is a woodgrain ribbon spanning the width of the dash. The instruments are clear, and the panel features a driver-information center between the speedometer and tachometer. Leather covers the steering wheel and gear lever on all models.

The XC60 center stack is dominated by a large touch screen, mounted in a vertical fashion, a la Tesla. With its multiple menus and controls, this Sensus system helps to de-clutter the interior and provide a welcome Scandinavian ambience, but it does require XC60 drivers to take their eyes off the road a bit too often. On a positive note, the XC60 seats are all-day comfortable, even with the large side bolsters that provide excellent cornering support. A large cargo area with a flat floor is found behind the rear bench, which is suitable for three.

The XC60 also looks a lot like the XC90 on the outside, which is a good thing because the XC90 ranks high on our list of most attractive SUVs. Somehow, the XC60 manages to simultaneously look aggressive and elegant, with the various trim levels providing distinctly different flavors. The R-Design, for instance, with its gloss-black grille, looks particularly sporty, as does the new Polestar Engineered model, which boasts gold brake calipers and optional 22-inch alloy wheels. Standard XC60 wheels, for the record, are 18s.

ADVANCED PACKAGE
This option package includes active steering assist, adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, a 360-degree surround-view camera and LED headlights that swivel and point their light into corners.

POLESTAR ENGINEERED MODEL
This is the hottest XC60, a new model featuring adjustable Ohlins shock absorbers, huge Akebono disc brakes, a front strut bar, gold-colored seatbelts and a T8 hybrid powertrain reworked to the tune of 415 horsepower. And, oh yeah: The Polestar XC60 also has a fantastic Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system.

The 2020 Volvo XC60 is available in four main trims: Momentum, R-Design, Inscription and Polestar Engineered. Although the X60 Momentum is the least expensive model, it’s well equipped with leather, a panoramic moonroof, a power liftgate, dual-zone climate control, LED headlights, 10-way-power front seats and 18-inch alloy wheels. Apple CarPlay/Android Auto is standard, as is a 10-speaker/330-watt audio system. Standard safety features include lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and a system designed to keep this Volvo from going off the road.

In addition to multiple paint and wheel choices, the XC60 has an Exterior Styling Kit and several packages. The Premium Package includes a hands-free tailgate, a blind-spot monitor, front and rear park assist and retractable sideview mirrors. The Multimedia Package includes navigation and a premium Harman Kardon stereo, while the Advanced Package includes adaptive cruise control, LED fog lights, a head-up display and a 360-degree surround-view camera. Air suspension remains an option, as do heated rear seats and massaging front seats.

Volvo offers three engine choices in its XC60. The T5 base powertrain, available in front-(FWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD) XC60s, features a turbocharged and direct-injected 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and excellent low-end torque.

The T6 powertrain, available only in the AWD XC60 and featuring a turbocharged and supercharged version of the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, puts out 316 peak horsepower and a stout 295 lb-ft of torque.

At the top of the XC60 propulsion mix is the T8, a hybrid powertrain whose electric motor supplements the T6’s powerful gas engine to the tune of 400 (or 415) peak horsepower and 472 lb-ft of torque.

For the record, all XC60s employ a smooth and refined 8-speed automatic transmission.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (T5)
250 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/29 mpg (FWD), 20/27 mpg (AWD)

2.0-liter turbocharged/supercharged inline-4 (T6)
316 horsepower @ 5,700 rpm
295 lb-ft of torque @ 2,200-5,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/27 mpg

2.0-liter turbocharged/supercharged inline-4 with plug-in hybrid (T8)
400 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm (415 in the Polestar Engineered)
472 lb-ft of torque @ 2,200-5,400 rpm (494 in the Polestar Engineered)
Combined EPA city/highway fuel economy: 27 mpg, 58 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent)