• Engine choices generally powerful
• Fastest model is the Recharge T8 PHEV
• B4 diesel is responsive, good all-rounder

Petrol engine

The Volvo XC60 range includes one conventional petrol engine – albeit with added mild-hybrid technology. It’s a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged unit, known as the B5 (P) and capable of delivering 250hp.

The B5 is more than quick enough for most drivers (0-62mph in 6.5 seconds) – but even so, if you can put up with the amount of petrol you’ll need to pour down its neck, it for a pleasant XC60 experience. We’d still proceed immediately to one of the plug-in hybrids given the option, though.

Diesel engine

Volvo reduced the diesel options for new XC60 buyers to just one model. Perhaps confusingly, this is also a mild-hybrid labelled B4 (D) and comes with 197hp. You get all-wheel drive on this, however, and significantly more torque than the B5 petrol (420Nm). So despite taking 7.8 seconds for the 0-62mph benchmark, you’ll find acceleration where it matters most is more than adequate.

As a result, the XC60 B4 (D) is a plucky all-rounder, with plenty of overtaking power, good traction for all kinds of weather, and especially suited to those drivers who still do lengthy trips on a regular basis – diesel is still the most efficient long distance fuel in most instances.

Refinement is good, too, but you will have to keep the AdBlue tank topped up to ensure the emissions control equipment keeps functioning as it should.

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Plug-in hybrid engines

Previously called Twin Engine, Volvo renamed all of its PHEV models Recharge in spring 2020. There are two versions in the XC60 – the T6 and T8 – and both have a petrol engine mated to an electric motor and a battery pack large enough for several miles of electric-only running, plus AWD as standard.

An upgrade in late 2021 increased the size of the battery pack and added a more powerful 145hp electric motor (up from 87hp), boosting total power output to an electronically limited 350hp in the latest T6 and a mammoth 455hp in the latest T8 (up from 340hp and 390hp, respectively).

This means longer electric-only running, and a really quite significant turn of pace – even from the Recharge T6. As a result, the XC60 plug-in hybrid offers outstanding refinement in combination with the ability to cover ground very rapidly. The acceleration at motorway speeds isn’t quite neck-snapping but you can leave other motorists wondering what on earth is under the bonnet, then drop back into a near silent cruise.

What’s it like to drive

• Calm, measured and precise
• Comfort levels are high
• But rivals are more fun

As with the rest of the Volvo XC60 experience, the driving is calm and measured, with little sign of the sporty aggression present in the major German rivals. The steering isn’t overflowing with feedback, but it is well weighted and precise enough that you are quickly confident about placing this medium-sized SUV, whether you’re travelling on congested urban roads or out in the countryside.

All UK XC60s are now fitted with ‘dynamic suspension’, which is a slightly firmer and lower set-up than the standard suspension offered in other markets. Avoid going for the biggest alloy wheels – 19-inch upgrades are fine, 21-inch items may be too much – and we’ve found this delivers plenty of cornering poise while still having enough compliance to cope with battered road surfaces.

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Higher-spec variants go further by adding adaptive air suspension, allowing you to adjust the ride height as well as control how soft or firm it is, which might be useful for some mild off-roading. Dynamic mode is great on smooth, quick roads, since in Comfort we found the body control too soft during spirited driving – but even Dynamic struggles to contain the XC60’s bulk at times. Better to slow down and appreciate the Volvo’s other strengths.

If you really want a fun-to-drive SUV in this class you’re better off looking at the BMW X3 or Audi Q5. Underlining this, the XC60’s eight-speed auto can be indecisive and often changes gear at less than ideal times; not every model is fitted with paddleshifters, either.

Similarly, the plug-in hybrid models have a faffy method of engaging increased brake energy recuperation using the gear selector. But if you don’t use this function you’ll find these XC60s hardly slow at all when you release the accelerator, forcing increased use of the friction brakes than we’re used to. While this is probably done for efficiency, you may find yourself forced to adjust your driving style.