2018 Volvo XC60

2018 is the launch year of the second-generation XC60 (2018–). The volume trim is the T5 AWD, a 2.0L turbo four making 250 hp. The T6 (turbo plus supercharger) makes 316 hp and the T8 plug-in hybrid tops the range at 400 hp.

The T5's 258 lb-ft is typical for a turbo four in a compact luxury SUV. The T6 makes 295 lb-ft, and the T8's rear electric motor brings combined torque to 472 lb-ft.

Volvo estimates 6.4 s for the standard-AWD T5, which is competitive with turbo-four rivals. Instrumented tests of the same powertrain fall between 6.1 and 6.5 s.

The T5 turbo four pulls willingly once boost builds, but it hesitates at low rpm, its stop-start system is abrupt, and it sounds coarse when worked hard. On the T8, the switch between engine and electric motor is well hidden.

Every 2018 XC60 uses the Aisin 8-speed automatic. It shifts smoothly once underway and rarely hunts on the highway, but it is hesitant pulling away and slow to kick down. Competent rather than crisp.

Volvo rates the 2018 XC60 at 3,500 lbs across all powertrains, below the 4,400 lbs of the Audi Q5 and BMW X3.

AWD is standard on every 2018 US XC60 (front-drive T5 arrived for 2019). The T5 and T6 use a clutch-based on-demand system, and the T8 drives its rear axle electrically. There is no low range or torque vectoring.

About 8.5 in of ground clearance, an Off Road drive mode and hill descent control cope with gravel, snow and dirt tracks. There is no low range, locker, skid plate or off-road trim.

Three distinct 2018 powertrains: the T5 turbo four, the T6 turbo-and-supercharged four, and the T8 plug-in hybrid. One electrified option, but no six-cylinder, no full EV and no FWD choice in 2018.

The volume 2018 T5 AWD is EPA-rated 24 MPG combined, about average for a gas compact luxury SUV and 1 MPG better than the 2020 T5 AWD's rating.

22 MPG city from a conventional turbo four with no hybrid assist.

28 MPG highway is on par with turbo-four rivals such as the Audi Q5 and Mercedes GLC.

EPA does not publish a total range for gas models. 24 MPG combined over the XC60's 18.8-gallon (71 L) tank gives about 450 miles.

The EPA's current annual estimate for the 2018 T5 AWD is $3,400, driven by the premium-fuel requirement. That is high for a compact SUV.

EPA lists premium gasoline for both 2018 XC60 gas powertrains (T5 and T6), with no regular-fuel option, so every fill-up costs more.

NHTSA lists the 2018 XC60 (T5/T6/T8) as Not Rated, and 2019 is also unrated. The first NHTSA test of this 2018-onward generation, on the 2020 car, gave 5 stars overall, so that figure is carried back as the latest tested year of the generation.

The 2018 XC60 earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick, limited to the cars with the better headlights. Crash results are Good in driver and passenger small overlap, moderate overlap, original side, roof strength and head restraints. The later updated side test is Acceptable.

City Safety AEB, Lane Keeping Aid, Run-off Road Mitigation and Oncoming Lane Mitigation are standard on every 2018 XC60. On the volume T5 Momentum, blind-spot monitoring is optional, and Pilot Assist adaptive cruise requires an option package. Both are standard on Inscription and R-Design.

IIHS rates the standard City Safety system Superior for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention, and it also handles pedestrians and cyclists. Nighttime pedestrian detection had not been tested in this era.

BLIS with Steer Assist and Cross Traffic Alert intervene well when fitted, but the volume Momentum gets them only through an option package. There is no safe-exit alert.

Lane Keeping Aid, Run-off Road Mitigation and Oncoming Lane Mitigation (new on this generation) are standard. True lane centering comes only with optional Pilot Assist, which reviewers find competent but prone to wander on faded markings.

Pilot Assist pairs full-speed stop-and-go adaptive cruise with steering support and is well integrated. On the volume Momentum, however, it is an option-package feature rather than standard.

No 2018 XC60 offers hands-free highway driving. Pilot Assist is a hands-on Level 2 system that requires steering input.

IIHS rates two headlight variants: the base LED reflectors without curve adaptation are Marginal, and only the curve-adaptive LEDs earn Acceptable. That split is why the 2018 award is limited by headlight. No configuration is rated Good.

The redesigned XC60 has an upright greenhouse and decent forward sightlines, but thick rear pillars limit over-the-shoulder views. A rearview camera is standard, while the 360-degree camera requires an option package on the Momentum.

IIHS rates LATCH ease of use Acceptable. The two outboard rear seats have full LATCH hardware and the center seat has a tether anchor only. Rear door openings and legroom are reasonable for the class.

The redesigned 2018 XC60 is a two-row, five-passenger compact luxury SUV on every trim.

Middling front headroom, reduced by the panoramic moonroof that is standard even on the base 2018 Momentum.

Adequate front legroom, in the lower-middle of the SUV band; the body is unchanged through 2020.

Good rear headroom for a compact SUV despite the standard glass roof.

Generous rear legroom for the compact luxury class; the redesign's longer wheelbase opened up the back seat.

The XC60 is a two-row SUV with no third row on any 2018 configuration; seven-seat buyers must step up to the XC90.

Competitive cargo hold for a compact luxury SUV, well short of mid-size SUVs on the segment-wide band.

Maximum cargo volume is typical of the compact luxury class.

Sensible door pockets, a center-console bin, an underfloor cargo tray and a 60/40 split rear seat with pass-through; competent but nothing standout. Power-folding rear headrests are optional.

Volvo's front seats are repeatedly cited as among the most comfortable in the class, with power adjustment, memory and lumbar standard on the 2018 Momentum; massage and ventilation are Inscription options.

The volume Momentum's coil-front / transverse-leaf-rear steel suspension rides acceptably but lacks body control and absorbs impacts a degree worse than the optional air suspension; larger wheels add busyness.

Wind and road noise are well suppressed at highway speed, but the turbo four is audible and coarse under hard acceleration.

Dual-zone auto climate is standard, but heated front seats and heated wheel are a $750 package on the 2018 Momentum; four-zone climate and ventilated seats are upper-trim; remote climate via Volvo On Call.

MY2018 was the launch year of the second-generation XC60 (SPA platform). In the US every 2018 XC60 had AWD (a FWD T5 arrived for 2019), so the entry point is the T5 AWD Momentum.

The T5 AWD Momentum was the volume configuration, and most dealer stock carried the Premium package (keyless entry, power-folding rear seats) plus Vision or Climate packages, putting a typical sticker near $47,000; R-Design and Inscription stock pushed the average transaction higher.

CarEdge projects XC60 maintenance and repair below the luxury-SUV average while Edmunds' cost-to-own figures run higher; a blended mid-pack figure, with the first three scheduled services covered by Volvo's complimentary maintenance.

CarEdge's historical data puts the 2018 model year at ~47% retention, and its generic XC60 curve shows 51% depreciation after five years — slightly below German luxury-compact rivals. The 2018's fifth year (2022–2023) fell in the inflated used market, which kept it from doing worse.

Volvo's New Vehicle Limited Warranty runs 4 years or 50,000 miles — a year longer than the mainstream norm and matched to the German luxury standard.

Volvo offers no separate, longer powertrain warranty in the US — the engine and drivetrain are covered only for the concurrent 4 yr/50,000 mi term, the weakest structure in a segment where Lexus, Acura and Infiniti go to 6 years/70,000 miles.

MY2018 XC60s are covered by Volvo's Complimentary Factory Scheduled Maintenance (3 yr / 36,000 mi, introduced for MY2017), on par with BMW's and Audi's programs, plus 4 years of unlimited-mileage roadside assistance and a Volvo On Call connected-services trial.

$47,000 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (47% retained, or about $22,090) leaves about $24,910 in depreciation. Add the projected $5,500 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $30,410 in total.

2018 is the launch year of the second-generation (SPA) XC60, and sources are mixed: J.D. Power rates it average-to-below-average while Consumer Reports owner data places it around average for its model year, with electrical/infotainment and seal complaints typical of a first-year redesign.

Through the 2018–2020 period Volvo sat in the lower third of Consumer Reports' brand reliability rankings and below the industry average in J.D. Power's Vehicle Dependability Study, largely on Sensus infotainment and electrical issues.

About five or six NHTSA campaigns cover the 2018 XC60, mostly assembly-hardware faults from the launch year (seat bolts and seat-rail nuts, wiper nuts, liftgate arms that freeze) plus an engine-software reflash. None of them point to a systemic powertrain or fire problem.

The volume T5 AWD uses the 2.0L turbo Drive-E four with the Aisin 8-speed automatic. The gearbox is well proven, but the Drive-E engine family has a record of oil consumption and some PCV and turbo complaints, and the supercharged-plus-turbo T6 adds complexity. Mixed history with no catastrophic pattern.

The second-generation XC60 inherited the XC90's Scandinavian cabin: real wood and metal trim, soft-touch surfaces and fine seats. Reviewers widely called it a segment-best interior, and it won 2018 World Car of the Year.

Assembly is generally tight and the cabin feels premium. Launch-year assembly recalls (seat fasteners, wiper nuts) and owner reports of moonroof and weather-strip leaks hold this back from the top band.

Volvo has roughly 280 US retailers, which is adequate in metro areas but thin in rural regions next to the German luxury brands. Service satisfaction is mid-pack, helped by complimentary maintenance on the first 3 years/36k miles.

This is a European luxury SUV with dealer-centric parts and above-average labor rates. SPA-platform parts are now widely stocked and aftermarket support is growing, but out-of-warranty repairs (turbo, electronics, Sensus modules) are costly.

A large-for-2018 portrait touchscreen, standard across the lineup.

Sensus looks premium with a tablet-like layout, but it is slow to start and buries climate, heated seats and audio tuning in on-screen submenus.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on the US 2018 XC60 but wired-only via USB; no wireless projection.

Native Sensus Navigation is not standard on the 2018 Momentum — it comes in the $1,400 Navigation Pro package; voice control is command-based.

A solid 10-speaker base system, a Harman Kardon upgrade, and the optional 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system reviewers rank among the segment's best.

The 2018 Momentum gets a smaller 8-inch digital driver display; the full 12.3-inch configurable cluster is standard on Inscription/R-Design and a package option on Momentum (it became standard on all trims for 2020).

2018 Sensus cars can download apps and (with navigation) map updates over the air, but have no whole-vehicle software updates; those arrived with the 2022+ Google-based system.

Volvo On Call provides remote start and pre-conditioning, lock/unlock, locate and trip data, complimentary for an initial period; no phone-as-key.

USB-A ports and 12V sockets only, with wireless phone charging limited to an option; no USB-C — a dated port mix.

Push-button start is standard, but keyless entry, the hands-free tailgate and even the power liftgate sit in the $2,200 Convenience Package on the volume Momentum; remote start via app; no phone-as-key.

Rear camera and rear parking sensors are standard; the 360-degree camera requires the Advanced Package on Momentum.

A graphical HUD is available on every trim including the volume Momentum, but only via the optional Advanced Package.

Wide rear doors, 38 in of rear legroom and IIHS-Acceptable LATCH make car seats manageable, and the ~30 cu ft hold fits a stroller; no third row and the power liftgate is optional on Momentum.

IIHS 2018 Top Safety Pick (headlight-dependent) with City Safety AEB and lane keeping standard, but blind-spot monitoring is optional on the Momentum and NHTSA did not rate the 2018 model.

Excellent seats and a quiet cabin, but rear amenities (four-zone climate, heated rear seats) are upper-trim only and compact cargo limits luggage on long family trips.

Light controls and good visibility make it easy around town, though abrupt stop-start, a hesitant launch and a laggy touchscreen that hosts climate controls add daily friction.

24 MPG combined on premium fuel is around class average but the premium requirement keeps running costs high.

A compact footprint and ~37 ft turning circle make city parking manageable; rear sensors standard, 360-degree camera optional.

3,500-lb towing and modest cargo suit light trailers only; a luxury crossover rather than a work vehicle.

A luxury-trimmed cabin and a turbocharged four are not built for hard work use, and there is no fleet track record.

Cargo tie-downs, roof rails and an optional hitch only; no onboard AC power or work upfit ecosystem.

Superb seats, a quiet cabin and ~450-mile range make it a strong tourer; Pilot Assist adaptive cruise with steering support needs the Convenience Package on Momentum.

Standard AWD on every 2018 XC60, an Off Road mode with hill descent control and ~8.5 in ground clearance handle gravel and snow roads; roof rails and 3,500-lb towing carry bikes and small toys.

60/40 split-folding rear seats, roof rails and an available hitch handle normal luggage; bulky gear is limited by compact cargo dimensions.

Secure and composed with about 0.81 g of skidpad grip, but tuned for comfort; the volume Momentum's steel suspension lacks some body control versus air-sprung cars.

Steering is accurate and reasonably weighted, firmer in Dynamic mode, but offers little feedback.

An instrumented ~161 ft 70-0 mph stop is competitive for the class, with a firm, progressive pedal.

The 250-hp T5 and eight-speed automatic deliver adequate pace, but low-rpm hesitation, abrupt stop-start and slow kickdown blunt response.

Quiet at cruise, but the 2.0-liter four sounds strained and coarse under load, out of character for a luxury SUV.

Mid-pack turning diameter for a compact SUV.

Standard power seats with memory and lumbar plus a commanding view, but routing climate, heated seats and audio through the touchscreen hurts the layout.

Pleasant, calm and stylish to drive, but the T5's unremarkable engine and comfort-biased tuning make it more serene than engaging.

The 2018 T5 Momentum comes standard with AWD, a panoramic moonroof, leather upholstery, LED 'Thor's Hammer' headlights, the 9-inch Sensus touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a power liftgate and City Safety automatic emergency braking. That beats a base BMW X3 or Audi Q5, though Pilot Assist adaptive cruise, blind-spot monitoring and heated seats still sat in option packages.

At ~$42,500–$48,000 the T5 brings a premium cabin and standard AWD for less than a comparably equipped X3 or Q5, but its 250 hp is class-par, the T6/T8 price steps are steep, and the Acura RDX and Lexus NX undercut it. KBB consumers flagged value versus the BMW X3 and Audi Q5 as a concern — fair value rather than a bargain.

Three grades (Momentum/R-Design/Inscription) across three powertrains — T5 turbo, 316-hp T6 turbo/supercharged and the 400-hp T8 plug-in hybrid — spanning roughly $42,500 to $70,000. Broad for the segment, though in 2018 every version was AWD (the FWD entry T5 and the Polestar Engineered halo came later).

The redesigned 2018 lifted US XC60 sales sharply to a record of about 32,700 units, up from roughly 22,500 in 2017, and it remained Volvo's best seller; strong momentum, though still well behind class volume leaders like the Lexus RX/NX, BMW X3 and Audi Q5.

Volvo carries a real safety halo and its new Scandinavian design language was winning buyers in 2018, but it sat a rung below the German brands in aspirational image, and reviewers noted it may lack prestige versus rivals.

As an all-new, in-demand launch model through 2017–2018, the XC60 saw limited early discounting; by mid-2018 Volvo supported it with subsidized leases and loyalty cash, but deals were thinner than on outgoing rivals.

MY2018 is the launch year of the second-generation XC60 on the SPA platform, bringing the brand's newest design, Sensus infotainment, Pilot Assist and the T8 plug-in hybrid — all-new for buyers, with no redesign on the horizon.

Named 2018 World Car of the Year and 2017–2018 Car of the Year Japan, an IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2018 and a 4.4/5 KBB expert rating — strong recognition — though it ranked mid-pack in class lists and was not the usual comparison-test winner against the X3 or Macan.