2020 Volvo XC60: A balanced crossover

Volvo introduced the XC60 midsize luxury crossover in 2008 and it quickly gathered a lot of fame for its swanky interior and high-tech features. Over the years, Volvo introduced a lot of new features and the current 2020 Volvo XC60 takes the lead for its luxurious interior, highly comfortable seats, range of driver assistance features, excellent mileage, a smooth ride, and loads of tech facilities. On the flipside, it is not that agile and fun to drive like other vehicles in its segment. 

The 2020 XC60 gives you four engine options in South Africa; two diesel and two petrol. Other markets also get the Polestar engineered model as well as a plug-in hybrid version. The two diesel units include a 2.0L D4 turbocharged four-cylinder and a 2.0L D5 turbocharged four-cylinder good for 190 hp and 235 hp respectively. The petrol options comprise a 2.0L T5 turbocharged four-cylinder and a 2.0L T6 supercharged and turbocharged producing 250 hp and 310 hp respectively. All the engines pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission and an-wheel-drive system. 

Arguably, the best thing about the 2020 Volvo XC60 is its classy interior, which comes standard with synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic moonroof, the Sensus infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker audio system.

The safety of the passengers is ensured through two sets of LATCH connectors for the rear outboard seats, an upper tether anchor for the rear middle seat, run-off road mitigation, and protection, oncoming lane mitigation, driver drowsiness monitoring, collision mitigation with active braking, traffic sign recognition, lane keep assist, etc. The safety can be further improved by opting for blind-spot monitoring, rear collision warning with braking, rear cross-traffic alert, active park assist, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, distance alert, a head-up display, a surround-view parking camera system and pilot assist.

The five-seater XC60 offers plenty of head- and legroom for a comfortable long journey. The interior is made of top-notch materials, which give a classy feel. In terms of cargo capacity, the 2020 Volvo XC60 beats most of its rivals; you get 22.4 cubic feet of space at the back with rear seats and 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. There are plenty of standard and optional accessories that make it a well-rounded luxury SUV.

The 2020 Volvo XC60 is accessible in three trim levels namely Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription. The entry-level Momentum starts at R699,500, the R-Design costs R753,950, while the Inscription is priced from R750,450. Prices correct at time of publication.

If you are looking for a balanced crossover, the 2020 Volvo XC60 should be at the top of your list. It has a graceful interior design, roomy second-row seating, lots of standard safety features and the best cabin in its segment. However, it is neither the sportiest crossover in its class nor the calmest. Don’t just take our word for it, we strongly recommend you check out its close competitors like Audi Q5 and BMW X3. Comparing these will enable you to make an informed decision. 

Another way to make an informed decision? Do lots of online research – starting right here on the MotorHappy blog. In our reviews section, we share our opinion of the latest cars to hit SA’s roads.