Class: Premium Compact Crossover
Miles Driven: 684
Fuel Used: 33.5 gallons
Real-world fuel economy: 20.4 mpg
Driving mix: 45% city, 55% highway
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | B+ |
| Power and Performance | B |
| Fit and Finish | B+ |
| Fuel Economy | C+ |
| Value | B |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | B |
| Tall Guy | A |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 20/27/22 (city, highway, combined)
Base price: $46,350 (not including $995 destination charge)
Options on test car: Preferred Option Package ($1350), Climate Package & Child booster Seats ($1550), Advanced Package ($2500), metallic paint ($560), 20-inch Avior alloy wheels ($260)
Price as tested: $53,565
Quick Hits
The great: Passenger and cargo space
The good: Acceleration, cabin appointments
The not so good: Firm ride may not appeal to some luxury shoppers
Check out Consumer Guide’s Premium Compact Crossover Best Buys
John Biel
More ritzy Inscription models are signing on to join the Volvo product line in 2017. Among them is an Inscription-trim version of the XC60, the Sino-Swedish automaker’s premium compact sport-utility vehicle.
In the case of the XC60, that adds a blind-spot warning system, automatically dimming exterior mirrors, alloy wheels with a diamond-cut design, accent lighting, and genuine walnut interior trim to an already impressive 5-passenger SUV. With the T6 drivetrain—all-wheel drive and a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter engine—the base price comes to $46,350.
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Other standard items of note are a panoramic sunroof with a power-operated shade, leather seats with 8-way power adjustment in the front positions, tilt and telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel, keyless entry, push-button starting, rearview camera, rear cross-traffic alert, dual-zone electronic climate control, heated exterior mirrors, power liftgate, and integrated roof rails. Connectivity and entertainment features include Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system, WiFi hotspot, 7-inch color touchscreen, HD and satellite radio, 8-speaker audio, and Bluetooth telephone and audio-streaming capability.
Consumer Guide® tested an XC60 T6 Inscription that didn’t stop there. It was packed with a trio of option groups that brought further conveniences, additional safety technologies, and an uprated Harmon Kardon sound system. With extra-cost metallic paint, a set of optional wheels, and destination, the test vehicle clocked in at $53,565.
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Regardless of what a buyer does to it in terms of equipment and price, the XC60 is a passenger-friendly SUV with good cargo room. Headroom is good throughout. Even when front-seat passengers stake out the legroom they need, there’s still enough left in the second-row for adult riding comfort. Three grown-ups can fit across the back seat if the need arises. Ride height is slightly elevated but not prohibitively so. (This reviewer’s official-test nonagenarian parents were able to enter and exit without undue difficulty.) Driver vision around the cabin is fairly good.
Even with the standard 40/20/40 second-row seats up there’s still a sizeable cargo space that loads at bumper height through a wide liftgate opening. When larger loads need to be carried, the seats fold absolutely flush with the cargo floor, and leave no gaps to trap small, loose items. Personal-item storage space isn’t quite as generous, with just passable space in the glove box, console box, and door pockets. A pair of covered cup holders occupies the center console. Two more fold out of the rear-center armrest, which also has a shallow covered bin. A pouch is attached to the back of each front seat.
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The black-and-beige interior in the test vehicle had a classy look. Soft-surface materials were in evidence on the dash and door panels, and the Inscription’s linear-walnut inlays are a touch of warmth. Climate and audio controls on the center stack are easy to access and set. One quibble is the absence of a clearly marked trip-odometer reset.
The sole engine in 2017 XC60s is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, turbocharged for 240 horsepower in T5 configuration or turbo- and supercharged for 302 horses as a T6. The latter, working in concert with an 8-speed automatic transmission, delivers lively acceleration and easy highway cruising. EPA fuel-economy estimates for this powerteam are 20 mpg in city driving, 27 on the highway, and 22 combined. This driver’s experience wasn’t quite that, however: 18.19 mpg after a 105-mile trip with 77 percent city driving. A selectable stop/start feature is included in pursuit of improved mileage.
Ride is a little on the firm side with the Inscription’s 20-inch wheels, but body control is good—dips and side motions are nicely restrained. Braking is prompt and easily modulated. Nicely weighted steering responds accurately to driver inputs.
There’s wiggle room on price in the XC60 line. A sport-themed R-Design T6 jumps up to a starting price of $51,000. However, front- or all-wheel-drive T5 models have base tabs in the low $40,000s.
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