2020 Volvo XC60 Review

 

 

 The 2020 Volvo XC60 finishes in the middle of our luxury compact SUV rankings. It has one of the most upscale and comfortable interiors in the class, but it lags behind many rivals when it comes to performance. That keeps the XC60 from challenging for a top spot.

Pros & Cons

• Posh interior with incredibly comfortable seats
• Lots of standard driver assistance features
• Good gas mileage
• Smooth ride

• Rivals are more agile and fun to drive

New for 2020

• High-performance Polestar model
• Slight range increase for T8 hybrid powertrain

Rankings & Research

The 2020 Volvo XC60's #5 ranking is based on its score within the Luxury Compact SUVs category. Currently the Volvo XC60 has a score of 8.3 out of 10, which is based on our evaluation of 25 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.

• #5 in Luxury Compact SUVs
• #10 in Luxury Crossover SUVs
• #7 in Luxury SUVs with 2 Rows

Is the Volvo XC60 a Good SUV?

Yes, the Volvo XC60 is a good luxury compact SUV. This is a great choice if you want a crossover with premium interior quality, outstanding seat comfort, and plenty of tech features. It also provides a smooth ride and has several solid engine choices. However, the XC60 isn't as fun to drive as many of its classmates, though it does have a larger cargo hold than most rivals.

Should I Buy the Volvo XC60?

As long as agile handling isn't a top priority, the XC60 is worth a look. That said, there are plenty of great choices in the class, so potential buyers should see how the XC60 stacks up against alternatives like the Audi Q5. You may also want to compare the XC60 against its larger and smaller Volvo siblings, the XC90 and XC40.

Should I Buy a New or Used Volvo XC60?

The 2020 XC60 belongs to a generation that began with the 2018 model year. For 2020, there's a new limited-release Polestar Engineered trim, and the all-electric range of the plug-in-hybrid powertrain gets a slight increase.
For the 2019 XC60, Volvo added more standard features across the lineup, including heated front seats in every all-wheel-drive model and more safety and technology features in uplevel trims. Volvo also swapped out genuine leather upholstery (which was standard in 2018 models) for synthetic leather in the base Momentum trim.
These modifications join a lengthy list of improvements that were part of the 2018 redesign. Enhancements over the previous generation include a better base infotainment system, more room for passengers, and an improved suspension system.
You can likely save money by shopping for a used model, so you may want to read our 2018 XC60 and 2019 XC60 reviews to help make your decision. You can also check out our Used Car Deals page to learn about savings and discounts on used vehicles.

We Did the Research for You: 16 Reviews Analyzed

We don’t base our car reviews on our personal opinions. Instead, we combine the findings of professional test drivers with data such as performance specs and safety scores to give you a complete overview of every vehicle we rank.
This Volvo XC60 review incorporates applicable research and data for all vehicles in this generation, which includes the 2018 through 2020 model years.

Why You Can Trust Us

U.S. News & World Report has been ranking the best cars, trucks, and SUVs since 2007, and our staff has more than 75 years’ worth of auto industry experience combined. To keep our reviews unbiased, we don’t accept expensive gifts or trips from car companies, and an outside company manages our advertising.

How Much Does the Volvo XC60 Cost?

The XC60 Momentum sports a base price of $40,150, which is a typical starting price for a luxury compact SUV. The XC60 Inscription starts at $47,150. That's less than the top trim price for many rivals, and a few competitors even have starting prices higher than that.
There's also a limited-release model, the XC60 Polestar Engineered, which starts at $69,500.
Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Volvo dealer.