By: Joshua Lee
April 4, 2023
The Volvo XC60 has been a top seller for the brand since 2009. Now in its second generation, this midsize SUV went through a facelift back in March of 2021 along with the C40 Recharge. For 2023, Volvo has introduced new mild hybrid powertrains, refreshed its trim levels, and fitted Android Automotive Services into its lineup.
Our friends at Volvo of Unionville have lent us their 2023 Volvo XC60 B6 AWD Plus Dark. Starting with the new powertrain, the B6 badge means that this vehicle has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an additional supercharger and a 48-volt hybrid system producing 295 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft of torque at 2,100RPM. There is also a non-supercharged B5 version with 247 horsepower and the powerful T8 Recharge plug-in hybrid with 455 horsepower; all three versions have an eight-speed automatic transmission. Our model is fitted with the optional $1465 Polestar Engineered Optimization package that increases the horsepower to 317 and the torque to 326 lb.-ft at 3,500RPM. The B6 is energetic, as it still provides great fuel efficiency and power without having to go to the T8. It’s also quiet and smooth, with no delay from the start-stop system or from the transmission.
Things have changed slightly since we reviewed the 2022 Volvo XC60 a while back. The familiar Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription trim names are replaced by Core, Plus, and Ultimate, where the latter two have options for chrome exterior accents (bright) or gloss black accents (dark). The facelift is subtle, with a redesigned grille and front bumper, but it’s still the handsome crossover we’ve known to love. Our Thunder Grey Metallic XC60 is fitted with optional 20-inch 5-Y Spoke Black Diamond-Cut alloy wheels and Continental CrossContact LX Sport 255/45 R 20 all-season tires.
Volvo never disappoints in interior quality and design. The fit and finish are great with the upscale materials. A nine-inch touchscreen sits in the centre of the XC60’s uncluttered cockpit and runs on an Android operating system with four years of Google built-in services. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility are standard. It’s easy to use, but almost everything is controlled through this screen, which can become distracting as you’ll need to navigate a few menu screens to get to what you want. The $1000 climate package kept all of us warm with heated seats in both rows and a heated steering wheel. While we don’t have the Harman Kardon or Bowers & Wilkins sound system, the standard 220-watt, 10-speaker sound system in the XC60 is still good. The XC60 handles well and is a great cruiser, but the larger wheels do impact ride quality slightly. Cargo capacity ranges from 483L with the rear seats up to 1410L folded down. There’s even an optional steel grille that folds out of the way when not in use.
The XC60 has 8.5-inches of ground clearance and standard all wheel drive, which helped when a heavy snowfall happened during our test. Traction was immediate, and we always felt controlled. A 360-degree camera, blind spot monitoring system, parking sensors, and Pilot Assist (Volvo’s semi-autonomous driver assistance system) are standard in the Plus trim.
Fuel economy ratings for the Volvo XC60 B6 AWD are 11.1L/100km city, 8.7L/100km highway, for a combined 10.0L/100km. We averaged 11.5L/100km for our test.
The XC60 B5 Core AWD starts at $51,450, B6 Core AWD at $55,000, the B6 Plus AWD at $61,600, and the B6 Ultimate AWD at $68,400. Our vehicle came to a total of $72,573 as it was fitted with three optional packages, the powertrain software upgrade, larger wheels, and the advanced air purifier that filters the cabin air to PM2.5 levels.
The facelifted Volvo XC60 might not be too flashy, but it’s still a stylish-looking vehicle. It’s also a great alternative to its rivals like the BMW X3, Audi Q5, and Lexus NX. It’s a great choice for family life, offering good power, premium refinement, and safety. It’s no wonder why it’s been so popular.
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