WASHINGTON — Looking for a smaller luxury SUV with safety at heart? The 2017 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD might fit the bill.
Volvo has hits with the new XC90 SUV and the large S90 sedan, and more products are on the way including a new XC60 small SUV. The current one we are looking at has been around for a bit, and for 2017 Volvo has gone to all four-cylinder engines across the XC60 lineup.
So should you consider this Volvo if you want a smaller luxury SUV? Let’s find out.
Yes, I said only four cylinder engines; but if you choose the T6 trim level you get a powerful turbo and supercharged four-cylinder engine good for 302 horsepower. It really puts some pep in the XC60, making it pretty quick.
The supercharger gives that more instant response eliminating the turbo lag you usually get with just a turbocharged engine. I had no problem keeping up with the flow of traffic or merging onto the highway. You can hear a bit more of the engine than in the larger XC90 SUV, and I like hearing the faint supercharger whine on hard acceleration; otherwise it’s pretty quiet.
The 8-speed automatic is a smooth shifting unit, and it always seems to be in the right gear for the situation. The tester also has AWD, so this is a sure-footed machine. Handling is decent but it’s not the best smaller SUV/crossover I’ve driven in twisties. It does well for most drivers, and driven as a family machine you won’t even notice or really have the need of a tight handling ride.
I would also drive the XC60 with 20-inch wheels and one with smaller 19-inch wheels to see if you can live with the extra sporty large wheels. The smaller wheels might do a bit better out on mean streets. The XC60 has a top 5 Star Safety rating and includes items such as a blind spot monitor, adaptive cruise control plus collision warning with auto braking.
There is plenty of room inside this XC60. Both front and back seats are very comfortable, making the XC60 a good choice for long trips. This is a Volvo, so there’s some wood trim to go along with nice, high quality leather. My loaded $53,555 Inscription model has the optional Climate Package with heated front seats, windshield and steering wheel, which makes cold weather operation a bit easier to manage. The outboard rear seats turn into child booster seats — a bonus to have for families; no more changing seats or not having a booster when you need one.
It’s only when you want to use the radio or NAV that the XC60 start to show its age. The central screen is a bit smaller than most of the competition and it’s not a touch screen either. There isn’t a central knob or button to control most functions, so there are a lot of knobs and buttons on the center stack of the console, making it seem crowded.
The XC60 is a fine looking smaller SUV but it doesn’t have the same stellar looks as the larger XC90 SUV — or at least not for now. This XC60 comes from a more conservative Volvo look since it’s been around for a bit. It still looks nice today with that Volvo badge right in the middle of the grill. Large 20-inch wheels fill out the wheel wells and look good on the XC60.
The smaller SUV also looks like a solid machine; the doors all close with the reassuring sound of a well-built automobile. While not as exciting as its larger brother, this Volvo isn’t a box either. There are some curves and body creases to add to the visual appeal. Even the rear end is flanked by large brakes and pronounced turn signal cluster adding to the safety aspect of this XC60.
The 2017 XC60 T6 AWD is still a very good smaller SUV with room for five to travel comfortably. This Volvo can really move with the powerful engine it has, and its top safety scores make it a solid choice. With an update coming soon this might be the right time to get a deal on this safe luxury SUV and enjoy the leather and wood-lined experience of driving a Volvo.
Mike Parris is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. The vehicles are provided by STI, FMI or Event Solutions for the purpose of this review.
