2020 Volvo XC60 Pros vs Cons

As far as luxury SUVs go, the elegant 2020 Volvo XC60 is one of the more affordable on the market right now. This SUV has absolutely everything you could want from a vehicle - and more. It might not have the most tranquil cabin, but it more than makes up for this pitfall with a cavernous design, chic styling, and the available plug-in hybrid option. Anyone who is looking to buy a reasonably priced SUV with all the bells and whistles should check out the new XC60.

What's New for 2020?

A few important changes have been made to the 2020 Volvo XC60, and they are all for the better. First of all, there is a new Polestar Engineered variant available as a the T8 eAWD Plug-In Hybrid. Second, the T8 hybrid's engine has been tweaked so that it now gets a slightly longer EV range. Finally, the 12.3-inch touchscreen display is now standard on every trim level.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2020 Volvo XC60 – The Pros

1. Chic Design

One of the most obvious 'pros' to owning the 2020 Volvo XC60 is that you can be a show-off to your friends and family. This is a seriously stunning SUV, inside and out. The sleek lines and aggressive fascia make this SUV look both classy and durable. It is quite clear that Volvo used a lot of high-quality materials when building the XC60. Inside, there are plenty of soft touch surfaces that add to the luxurious appeal. Overall, the XC60 looks contemporary and upscale, just as a luxury vehicle should. Volvo is really setting the bar high for its competitors.

2. A Spacious Cabin

The cabin isn't just pretty to look at - it is spacious and utility-oriented. Second- and third-row passengers have plenty of space to stretch their legs, and only the panoramic sunroof minimizes head space. There are also plenty of cleverly crafted storage areas for all of your small items. Only tall individuals will feel hindered by it though; everyone else should feel like they have enough space.

3. The Plug-in Hybrid Option

A lot of people are showing interest in Volvo's plug-in options, and the 2020 Volvo XC60 has one. While the new Polestar Engineered trim comes strictly as a plug-in, any other trim level can be optionally equipped with the T8 eAWD Plug-in Hybrid variant. This plug-in's powertrain generates a combined 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. On the Polestar Engineered trim, it gets an impressive 415 hp and 494 lb-ft of torque. Of course, this vehicle gets a great fuel economy, but it also has a spunky performance for a hybrid.

4. A Ton of Standard Infotainment and Safety Features

As one might expect from Volvo, the XC60 is adorned with a massive array of standard infotainment and safety features. The system's built-in voice control functions work quite well, which is something a lot of automakers have not gotten right in their vehicles. Also, smartphone app integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard on every trim level and is super easy to use. Lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control are also standard, and these driver aids can be quickly accessed while driving. Oh, and there is an optional 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system that pumps out crystal-clear audio. It might seem extravagant but is totally worth the upgrade for music-lovers.

5. Plenty of Configuration Options

Volvo gives buyers plenty of configuration options for its vehicles. The XC60 comes in four different trim levels, and all but the Polestar Engineered can be outfitted with either a T5, T6, or T8 eAWD Plug-in Hybrid powertrain. AWD is standard on all but the base trim, which has front-wheel drive. You also get a ton of different color options, interior options, and packages. Basically, you can make this vehicle suit your every whim.

6. The Well-balanced T6 Engine

The 2020 Volvo XC60's T6 engine is the engine to get if you don't want the plug-in hybrid. It has a fantastic balance between power output and driving capabilities. Its brakes feel smooth as can be, as you will have to apply just a modest amount of effort in order to modulate them. The T5 is a fine enough engine, but the T6 is sportier and more playful when it comes to getting it up to speed on the highway.

7. Four-zone Climate Control

The XC60 has an optional four-zone climate control system which, if you have not yet experienced, it truly delightful. It is worth the upgrade since it evenly and promptly pushes air to all quadrants of the vehicle. No passenger will miss out on the hot air on a cool day or air conditioning on a blistering hot summer day.

8. Excellent Outward Visibility

Another thing that Volvo gets right on the 2020 Volvo XC60 is the structuring of its roof pillars. They are slender, which allows for wider views out of the front and rear of the vehicle. Side views are also pretty good. There are power-folding mirrors that enhance visibility, and the optional 360-degree camera system is helpful (but not really necessary for most people).

9. A Huge Cargo Area

Need something with a ton of cargo space? The 2020 Volvo XC60 has it! To be more accurate, it has 29.7 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats upright. That is quite an impressive number of cubes for this segment. The cargo cover is also a handy features that enhances cargo storage.

10. A Generous Warranty

Volvo gives the XC60 a pretty generous warranty. Scheduled maintenance is set at the industry average of three years/36,000 miles, but roadside assistance is better than what most warranties cover. That warranty is for four years or an unlimited number of miles. Needless to say, that is extremely kind of Volvo.

Reasons You May Not Like the 2020 Volvo XC60 – The Cons

1. The Cabin Can Get Noisy

The biggest pitfall regarding the 2020 Volvo XC60 is that the cabin can get noisy at low speeds. There is a whining sound that you will hear if you don't have any music playing. Also, the air suspension could use some tweaking since it makes the ride quality a bit too bumpy. It is not a huge ordeal, but it means this vehicle lacks the totally refined ride quality you might expect from a luxury SUV.

2. It Is Not a Sporty Ride

While the powertrains are all pretty strong, they do not make for sporty rides that are characteristic of luxury vehicles. The handling and steering capabilities feel like they are below-average, as both take some effort. There is a lack of feedback to the driver, but it is not enough to make it a terrible drive. It just needs some tweaking to be as good as the competition.

3. The Brakes on the T8 Hybrid are Too Touchy

The T8 is plagued by squishy brakes. This is really the biggest problem with the 2020 Volvo XC60. Soft brakes are difficult to modulate and will leave the driver lackign confidence in their vehicle's ability to come to a stop in a safe distance. Touchy brakes like this are not characteristic of luxury SUVs, and there are competitors out there with better brakes on their plug-in hybrid variants.

4. Real World MPG is Lower Than the EPA Rating

Fuel economy is a little sketchy on the XC60. While the twin-turbo T6 2.0-L engine is supposed to get 23 mpg combined (with 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway), it gets less in real world testing. In a mixed loop test, it only got 22.7 mpg combined, and over the course of several weeks, its combined mpg was actually 19.3. That is one heck of a let-down.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

2020 Volvo XC60 vs. 2020 BMW X3

The 2020 Volvo XC60 faces stiff competition from the 2020 BMW X3. The X3 is always a favorite among luxury vehicle buyers because it is so fuel efficient. It has a lot of customization options as well and is spacious on the inside. However, the X3 suffers from a lack of Android Auto. It's kind of puzzling that this popular feature would be totally left off of the list.

2020 Volvo XC60 vs. 2020 Audi Q5

The 2020 Audi Q5 is another top contender this model year. It boasts a well-designed, muted cabin, a smooth ride quality thanks to its new chassis, standard all-wheel drive, and a huge list of standard features. Unfortunately, it only offers one engine, which limits customization. It also has a smaller cargo area than a lot of the competition.

Conclusion

The 2020 Volvo XC60 is a well-priced luxury SUV with a generous roadside assistance warranty and a great interior design. It does embody luxury but also gives you a lot of power. The only real downfall is the plug-in hybrid's braking system. Other than that, its minute flaws can be easily overlooked as this is a comfy and chic ride.