2024 (74) Volvo XC60 2.0 B5P Ultra Dark 5dr AWD Geartronic

The Volvo XC60 makes sense in B5 mild hybrid petrol guise. Jonathan Crouch looks at the improved version of this mid-sized SUV.

Ten Second Review

Volvo's elegant and beautifully crafted second generation XC60 offers proof that in Sweden, they build SUVs just a little differently. Here, the second generation version of that model's been usefully revised, underlining this Scandinavian maker reputation as a credibly prestigious automotive brand. Many customers choose the B5 mild hybrid petrol version; let's find out why.

Background

For some time now, the majority of Volvo's business has been done in selling SUVs - cars like this XC60. This second generation version arrived in 2017, replacing an extremely successful predecessor, then in 2021 was lightly updated before in early 2025 being updated again to create the car we're going to look at here. It'll certainly need to be good, given that the premium-badged segment of the mid-sized SUV market has changed beyond all recognition in the last few years. BMW's X3 and Audi's Q5 remain the default competition, but in the last decade, other desirable brands have piled into this segment and cars like the Mercedes GLC, the Land Rover Discovery Sport, the Lexus NX and the Alfa Romeo Stelvio all represent tempting alternatives in this class. So what can this Volvo offer to set itself apart in its volume B5 mild hybrid form? Let's find out.

Driving Experience

Volvo's softened up the passive dampers and worked on refinement for this updated XC60 (it reckons this is its quietest mid-sized SUV yet). Otherwise, nothing significant has changed in terms of the engineering of this car. Which means this B5 petrol variant (diesels have long been dumped in XC60s) has the same four cylinder 2.0-litre 250hp mild hybrid engine it used before, with 360Nm of torque, capable of 0-62mph in 6.9s en route to the limited 112mph maximum that these days all Volvos share. Like all mild hybrids, this one has a tiny battery that infills acceleration and runs the engine start/stop system. As you'd expect in this segment, there's standard AWD to facilitate a 2.4-tonne braked towing capacity. If you were to place entertaining driving dynamics as a priority for your premium-badged mid-sized SUV, then let's be honest, this Volvo probably wouldn't be the first model you'd turn to. But you shouldn't gauge from that an expectation that this XC60 will be a complete duffer when the road turns twisty. It's very far from that, this model described as 'confident and predictable', which is what we've found it to be and precisely what most likely buyers will want it to be. There's unruffled poise and exemplary refinement, plus you get supple standards of ride comfort from the multi-link rear suspension and at the top of the range, there's an 'Active Four-C' adaptive damping and air suspension package if you want it. Cornering body roll is also decently well controlled. A standard 'Drive Mode Settings' driving dynamics system allows you to tailor throttle response, steering feel and shift timings from the standard 8-speed auto gearbox to suit the way you want to drive.

Design and Build

You'll need to be an existing owner or know this second generation XC60 pretty well to notice the changes made as part of this second update. The key difference is the revised front grille (like that lately fitted to the XC90), plus there are darker rear lights and fresh wheel designs. As before, it all sits on Volvo's usual Scalable Product Architecture platform and is sized to compete directly with premium rivals like Audi's Q5, BMW's X3 and the Mercedes GLC. Unlike those three models though, there's just a single boxy SUV body shape available. It'll be far easier to spot that this is an updated XC60 once inside because the cabin's been notably upgraded by the addition of a much larger 11.2-inch centre screen, which now stretches out of the top of the dashboard. It remains portrait in format and includes the latest generation of Volvo's Google-based infotainment system. This runs on a more powerful Qualcomm chip (which makes it twice as quick to respond to commands) and there are sharper graphics. The brand has plushed up the cabin with more luxurious materials, including a combination of Nordico synthetic leather and herringbone-pattern fabric. Otherwise, it's as you were. High-quality materials, intelligent use of space and attention to detail work together to create a distinctly Scandinavian cabin that's simple and elegant. The supportive seats position you lower in the XC60 than you would in an XC90, there's a 12.3-inch digital instrument dial display and you get a CleanZone four-zone climate control system that removes harmful pollutants and particles from outside the cabin to deliver Scandinavian-fresh air on the inside In the rear, there's decent space for shoulders and heads and the kind of room for knees and legs that you'd expect from an SUV 4.7-metres in length. And there's a really unique touch -concealed storage compartments under the rear seat bases which are just the right size to store electronic devices, like a tablet, out of sight. Parents will like the fact that you can specify a pair of built-in fold-out booster seats. In this conventionally-engined B5 model, the boot capacity is rated at 483-litres - or 613-litres if you were to load up to the roof; that's about 45-litres shy of the prevailing class standard, though it's more than you get in comparably-priced Land Rover products. Remember that the alternative Plug-in Hybrid variant loses a bit from those figures because of its underfloor battery - 468-litres, or 598-litres if you load up to the roof.

Market and Model

Prices haven't changed much as part of this update and continue to start from just under £50,000 for this mild hybrid B5, with around £6,000 more needed for the T6 version of the Plug-in Hybrid. As before, mainstream variants are based around 'Core' and 'Plus' trim, with various kinds of 'Ultra' spec featuring further up the range. All versions of this Volvo have roof rails, front and rear parking sensors, auto headlamps and wipers, a power-operated tailgate and alloy wheels of at least 18-inches in size. Plus there are LED headlights that at night can bend with the road and dip themselves automatically. And of course a class-leading package of electronic safety equipment. Inside on all XC60s, there's a powered, heated driver's seat with lumbar support and memory settings, plus a new Google-powered 11.2-inch centre screen. You can also tick off 2-Zone Electronic Climate Control, an auto-dimming interior mirror, a rear view camera and a 12.3-inch Active TFT Crystal Driver's information display to replace the usual instrument dials. This will change in layout according to the Drive Mode settings you choose. Ideally, you'd want a variant fitted with the latest version of Volvo's high-end Bowers & Wilkins audio system, which Volvo claims is 'one of the best-sounding audio systems for a car'.

Cost of Ownership

This second generation XC60 was always designed as a mid-sized premium SUV that would never have an engine any bigger than four cylinders and 2.0-litres in size. At first glance, that doesn't sound a very attractive proposition does it, but with the 'Drive-E' engine fitted to this B5 model, Volvo engineers have reaped the efficiency benefits of taking this smaller, lighter approach. This B5 mild hybrid petrol unit offers a good combination of performance and efficiency; the figures are up to 36.6mpg and 175g/km. Maintenance should be relatively affordable for a car of this kind, with intervals every year or 18,000 miles. Three or five year pre-paid servicing packages are available to help you budget ahead. Finally, we'll tell you that the warranty is the usual three year, 60,000 mile package. Plus there's three years of roadside assistance.

Summary

For quite a number of buyers, this XC60 will represent exactly the way a premium mid-sized SUV should look, should feel and should operate. And, like its larger XC90 stablemate, it delivers something refreshingly different to what's on offer from obvious rivals. So there's plenty to like. Especially in this relatively frugal B5 petrol guise. And in summary? Well you'd be forgiven for concluding that sales success is a virtual given for just about any new SUV launched these days: it seems that buyers just can't get enough of them. In some cases, that's merited - and this is one of them. This car might not please magazine road testers, but we can't help feeling that it's been cleverly perfected for the actual priorities of its targeted market. This then, is the Swedish SUV. Evolved.