Volvo XC60 (2008 – 2017) Review

Volvo XC60 (2008 – 2017) At A Glance

4/5

+Very comfortable and refined. Makes a good long distance car. Stylish cabin. R Design models look sporty. Low emissions DRIVe versions available.

-By 2017 D5 feeling dated. Geartronic automatic can be sluggish. Handling more SUV than sportscar.

Insurance Groups are between 26–36
On average it achieves 77% of the official MPG figure

If you're looking for the newer version, you need our Volvo XC60 review

Volvo seems to be getting to grips with the art of making stylish yet practical and safe cars and nowhere is this more evident than in the Volvo XC60. It's certainly a striking design and really stands out, which is no easy feat when the competition includes cars like the sleek Audi Q5 and bold Land Rover Freelander 2.

It's less boxy and bulky than the larger XC90 and the sharp front end has even been the inspiration for facelifts of the convertible Volvo C70 and the Volvo C30 hatchback. But although it looks substantial, it's actually fairly compact - shorter than a Ford Mondeo for instance, so parking and manouevering in tight spaces isn't as tricky as you may think.

It's a good family car with a spacious and well laid out interior, along with a large boot. It's also well equipped as standard especially when it comes to safety equipment. The Volvo XC60 comes with a system called City Safety as standard - a clever system that is designed to prevent low speed impacts (or minimise them) by automatically stopping the car if a crash is inevitable.

On the road, the XC60 is a good cruiser and with the diesel engines, is affordable to run. It's not the best handling offroader of this size, but has plenty of grip and good off-road ability too. There's a two-wheel drive version, badged DRIVe, which majors on economy and low CO2 emissions, but doesn't sacrifice too much in the way of performance, while the R-DESIGN version gets a sporty look which really suits the sharp lines.

It's the well built and stylish cabin which is perhaps the Volvo XC60's biggest strength. The modern and unfussy layout is also user-friendly and makes a refreshing change from the usual German premium car interiors.

Volvo XC60 2008 Road Test

Real MPG average for a Volvo XC60 (2008 – 2017)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

77%

Real MPG

21–53 mpg

MPGs submitted

1146

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

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Ask Honest John

How do I appeal the ULEZ charge and avoid paying the daily fee?

"My wife and I drive a diesel Volvo XC70 (first registered in 2006) and a Volvo XC60 (2013 model). Both have very low emissions readings on their MOTs and we have a property just within the South Circular road that we go to occasionally. Is there any way that we can challenge the set requirement for a Euro 6diesel engine to be compliant with the ULEZ?"
The short answer to this question is no. The ULEZ is based on total tailpipe emissions, which includes particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) - things that old diesel cars will emit an awful lot of My advice would be to sell one of the cars and replace it with a Euro6 diesel or Euro4 petrol.
Answered by Dan Powell

What are the best tyres for my Volvo XC60?

"What tyres would you recommend for a 2015 Volvo XC60? The car is presently on Pirelli Scorpion Verde 235/60/18."
It's already on very good tyres, presumably Scorpion Verde all weather? Alternatives are Continental AllSeason Contact, Michelin Cross Climates or Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons Gen 2. Check Tyres On The Drive (https://bit.ly/2ZlEVaR) and Blackcircles.com (https://bit.ly/2JM6bqG) for sizes and prices and read our Tyre Buying Guide (https://bit.ly/2wsFHBU)
Answered by Honest John

Should I be swapping the wheels of my Volvo back to front to even out wear?

"At a recent service for my Volvo XC60 I asked for the wheels to be swapped back to front to even out wear - as suggested in the Volvo handbook. This was not done as I was initially told that it was not possible as the tyre pressure sensors were wheel position-specific. I contacted Volvo UK customer service for advice who referred me back to the dealer who now said this was possible but would cost £168. I do not seem to be able to get an answer which I fully understand - I would have thought that if Volvo is suggesting this in the handbook there must be a 'workaround' for the wheel position."
The £168 is the 'labour' cost of swapping the wheels front to back same side then 're-initialising' the TMPS. You could do this yourself for nothing, but I urge you to take great car when jacking it up and removing wheels. Always try to put one of the wheels on its side under the car in case the jack breaks. Check Tyres On The Drive (https://bit.ly/2ZlEVaR) and Blackcircles.com (https://bit.ly/2JM6bqG) for sizes and prices and read our Tyre Buying Guide (https://bit.ly/2wsFHBU)
Answered by Honest John

What's a good affordable car for someone with back and leg pain?

"I have back, thigh and leg pain and am looking to buy a car with good leg and thigh support, as I am 6ft 4. I currently drive a Honda CRV which has leather seats, they are very uncomfortable but have virtually no lumber support. Obviously, you look on the web and there are luxury cars that would be more suitable but I only have £10k to spend and want something reliable as I use it mainly for work."
Have a look at a Volvo XC60. They're very comfortable, in my experience, and your budget will get you a tidy 2013 model. Also take a look at a Volkswagen Tiguan - you'll get a slightly newer one for your money. If you don't need an SUV, also consider a Skoda Superb. It's worth trying a few different cars as what other people find comfortable, you may not!
Answered by Andrew Brady
More Questions

What does a Volvo XC60 (2008 – 2017) cost?