2016
New 2022
Used 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010

Volvo XC60

Unlock Ratings
The XC60 is quick, pleasant and benefited from Volvo's latest safety advances of the time. While handling is sound and secure, the mid-sized SUV is not exactly sporty to drive. Further, fuel economy is mediocre and some controls are not intuitive. While interior fit and finish are impressive, rear-seat room is only sufficient. Despite the surplus of go-power, the XC60 T6 isn't fun to drive.
Alerts
There are 3 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.
2016
New 2022
Used 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010

Volvo XC60

Reliability
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Owner Satisfaction
See All
Crash and Rollover Tests
IIHS Front Moderate Overlap Good
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver Good
IIHS Side Crash Good
NHTSA Frontal-Crash, Driver
NHTSA Frontal-Crash, Passenger
See All

Road Test Results

Performance
Acceleration Acceleration Acceleration tests are conducted on a smooth, flat pavement straightaway at the track. Time, speed, and distance measurements are taken with a precise GPS-based device that’s hooked to a data-logging computer.
0 to 60 mph 0 to 60 mph (sec.) The time in seconds that a vehicle takes to reach 60 mph from a standstill with the engine idling.
Transmission Transmission Transmission performance is determined by shifting smoothness, response, shifter action, and clutch actuation for manual transmissions.
Braking Braking The braking rating is a composite of wet and dry stopping distances and pedal feel. Braking distance is from 60 mph, with no wheels locked.
Emergency Handling Emergency Handling Several factors go into the rating, including the avoidance maneuver speed and confidence, as well as how the vehicle behaves when pushed to its limit.
Comfort / Convenience
Ride Ride Our expert judgment of how well the suspension isolates and absorbs road imperfections and how steady it keeps the body on various road surfaces.
Noise Noise Our expert judgment of the vehicle's interior noise level in everyday driving.
Front Seat Comfort Front Seat Comfort Our judgment of how comfortable the front seat is for drivers of various heights.
Rear Seat Comfort Rear Seat Comfort Our judgment of how comfortable the rear seat is for two passengers to sit across.
Interior Fit and Finish Interior Fit and Finish An expert evaluation of the interior quality and craftsmanship.
Trunk/Cargo Area Trunk/Cargo Area Our rating is based on the amount of luggage or cargo space that a vehicle has in the trunk or cargo area.
Fuel Economy & Emissions
Fuel Economy Fuel Economy We perform our own fuel-economy tests, independent of the government's often-quoted EPA figures and the manufacturers' claims. Using a precise fuel-flow measuring device spliced into the fuel line, we run two separate circuits to represent city and highway consumption.
CR's Overall Mileage CR's Overall Mileage CR's overall mileage is a composite of measured fuel usage on a prescribed city course and highway cruising; and CR's 150-mile test trip of mixed driving, if tested. In recent road tests, we've discontinued the 150-mile trip test.
CR's City Mileage CR's City Mileage Measured fuel usage on a prescribed city course.
CR's Highway Mileage CR's Highway Mileage Measured fuel usage on a prescribed highway cruising.
Annual Fuel Cost Annual Fuel Cost The cost and amount of fuel used in 12,000 miles and is calculated from CR's overall mileage.
Greenhouse Gas Greenhouse Gas The Greenhouse Gas Rating represents the amount of carbon dioxide the vehicle emits compared to other vehicles of the same model year. This score from the EPA ranges from 1 (worst) to 10 (best).
Smog Rating Smog Rating The Smog Rating represents the amount of health-damaging and smog-forming airborne pollutants the vehicle emits compared to other vehicles of the same model year. This score from the EPA ranges from 1 (worst) to 10 (best).

Owner Reports

Worse Better
Reliability History Reliability History The reliability charts are based on responses on hundreds of thousands of vehicles from our latest Annual Auto Survey. Consumer Reports subscribers reported on any serious problems they had with their vehicles during the past 12 months that they considered serious because of cost, failure, safety, or downtime, in any of the trouble spots included in the table below. The results are presented relative to the average model that year. Extra weight is given to the more serious areas such as major engine or transmission problems. Based on this data and further analysis, we predict reliability for the latest year. N/A indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
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NA
2011
NA
2012
2013
2014
NA
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
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2021
Reliability Trouble Spots
Engine Major Engine Major Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.
Engine Minor Engine Minor Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.
Engine Cooling Engine Cooling Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.
Transmission Major Transmission Major Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, clutch replacement.
Transmission Minor Transmission Minor Gear selector or linkage, leaks, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission.
Drive System Drive System Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, 4WD/AWD components, driveline vibration, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), electrical failure.
View all Reliability
Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction To learn about satisfaction, CR has collected survey data from our annual survey on more than half a million vehicles. Our subscribers provide great insights into their satisfaction by answering one simple question: If they had it to do all over again, would they definitely buy or lease the same model? In addition, respondents also rate their cars in six categories: driving experience, comfort, value, styling, audio, and climate systems. N/A indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
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2021
Driving Experience Driving Experience Includes acceleration and handling
Comfort Comfort Includes seats, climate control, noise, and ride
Value Value Did you get what you wanted relative to the price you paid?
Styling Styling How it looks inside and out
View all Owner Satisfaction
Safety Equipment
ABS and ESC standard. Side and head protection air bags standard. FCW and AEB standard from 2018. BSW and RCTW standard from 2021.
Road Test

The XC60 is quick, pleasant and benefited from Volvo's latest safety advances of the time. While handling is sound and secure, the mid-sized SUV is not exactly sporty to drive. Further, fuel economy is mediocre and some controls are not intuitive. While interior fit and finish are impressive, rear-seat room is only sufficient.

Despite the surplus of go-power, the XC60 T6 isn't fun to drive. While other compact European luxury SUVs, like the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC, are all a hoot to hustle through corners, the Volvo is more reluctant. The steering actually communicates with the driver, telling what the front wheels are doing, but it's slow to listen to the driver's side of the conversation. Responses are measured, rather than quick-witted.

Seating
2 front, 3 rear
Drive Wheels
AWD, Front
Warranty
Coverage varies among versions of this vehicle

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties
Body Styles
4-door SUV
Transmissions Available
  • 8-speed Automatic
  • 6-speed Automatic
Engines Available
  • 2-liter 4 turbo (240 hp)
  • 2-liter 4 turbo (302 hp)
  • 2.5-liter 5 turbo (250 hp)
  • 3-liter 6 turbo (325 hp)
  • 3-liter 6 turbo (300 hp)

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2016 Volvo XC60 owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

Brakes

Antilock system (ABS), parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, rotors, pulsation or vibration, squeaking, brake failure or wear.

What Owners Say

Premature brake wear

"Car had 29000 miles and rear brakes needed to be replaced. I don't drive my cars hard nor do I brake excessively hard. It seemed premature wear compared to other vehicles I owned."

Anonymous, MD (2016 Volvo XC60 T5 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"I had to replace the break pads after 30,000. I never had to replace break pads on a leased car. Generally get at least 50,000 on my other cars that I owned. I have never ever had to change the breaks on a leased car before and I am 71."

Robert S., NY (2016 Volvo XC60 T6 Drive-E 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"at 10K it needed a caliper. they said maybne the way i drive"

Judy C., MA (2016 Volvo XC60 T5)

"Same issue"

Alan M., AB (2016 Volvo XC60 T5 2.5-L 5 Cyl turbo)
Rotors

"Warped"

Anonymous, IL (2016 Volvo XC60 T6 3.0-L 6 Cyl turbo)

"The rotor warped, out of round and had to be replaced on all four wheels."

Alan M., AB (2016 Volvo XC60 T5 2.5-L 5 Cyl turbo)
Squeaking

"The car hummed when driving at low speeds. Gradually went away when on the highway. Very annoying"

Robert S., NY (2016 Volvo XC60 T6 Drive-E 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
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In-car Electronics

CD or DVD players, radio, speakers, GPS, communication system (e.g., OnStar), display screen freezes or goes blank, phone pairing (e.g. Bluetooth), voice control commands, steering wheel controls, portable music device interface (e.g., iPod/MP3 player), backup or other camera/sensors.

What Owners Say

Display screen freezes up

"At times the system takes well over a minute to start working. Volvo tries to fix by making sure software is up to date but then it happens again"

Anonymous, NJ (2016 Volvo XC60 T5 Drive-E 2.5-L 5 Cyl turbo)
Display screen goes blank

"The center nav screen went blank once, the dealer was able to get a code, called Volvo and it took a few days to find the bad ground. We had a loaner and they were good at keeping up updated, the issue hasn't returned."

Sam M., OR (2016 Volvo XC60 T5 2.5-L 5 Cyl turbo)
In-dash navigation system (GPS)

"The navigation system is not user friendly. When attempts are made to input places, addresses, etc either manually or verbally, rarely does it recognize them"

Anonymous, VA (2016 Volvo XC60 T5 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Radio

"Doesn't work at all"

Anonymous, (2016 Volvo XC60 Unsure Unsure)
Voice control commands

"The voice control is rarely recognized. I consider it useless either for GPS or phone"

Anonymous, VA (2016 Volvo XC60 T5 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
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Electric System

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery and related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, distributor or rotor failure, spark plugs and wires failure.

What Owners Say

Body control module

"The side view mirrors do not revert to driving set after folding or backup mode and when switching individual driver key fob"

Anonymous, NY (2016 Volvo XC60 T6 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Exterior lights (other than headlights)

"Rear taillights burn out regularly and even when working well, we receive a dashboard warning saying they are out."

Anonymous, (2016 Volvo XC60 T6 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Keyless entry

"during coldest winter months keyless lock/unlock button on door handles didn't work, e.g. had to touch back door handle to open car because front drivers door handle wouldn't work"

Andrew W., ON (2016 Volvo XC60 T6 R-Design 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Tire pressure monitor

"complex enough only dealer gets setting them correct"

Anonymous, (2016 Volvo XC60 T6 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Warning lights

"The warning message was not easily understood, the stop light fail but I got a warning light message on the fault panels"

Jerry H., VA (2016 Volvo XC60 T5 2.5-L 5 Cyl turbo)
Load more

Suspension

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

What Owners Say

Alignment

"I drive about 10000 miles a year over normal in town and highway roads. the car is an SUV and supposed to have a robust suspension. to have the front end go out of alignment wasn't what I expected. Had to replace 4 tires because of it"

Anonymous, MD (2016 Volvo XC60 T5 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Bushings

"The front strut bushing caused the vehicle to wonder on the road. The dealer refused to admit there was a problem. Had it repaired at an IndeprndentShop and worked perfectly. Dealer refused to cover the coats."

Anonymous, NB (2016 Volvo XC60 T5 2.5-L 5 Cyl turbo)
Steering wheel vibration

"You did not ask me about the electrical issue. I replaced the original battery at 12000km because a battery warning light. The Dealer replaced it under warranty' At 64000km I am getting the same problem, battery is no longer covered under warranty."

Anonymous, NB (2016 Volvo XC60 T5 2.5-L 5 Cyl turbo)
Tie rods

"During a state inspection, it was found that both tie rods needed to be replaced. They were replaced and paid for through the CPO program that came with the car."

William F., PA (2016 Volvo XC60 T5 2.5-L 5 Cyl turbo)
Load more

Climate System

Blower (fan) motor, A/C compressor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate control, refrigerant leakage, electrical failure.

What Owners Say

A/C compressor

"Compressor died right after Warranty expired but Volvo still covered cost."

Anonymous, (2016 Volvo XC60 T5 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Blower (fan) motor

"The fan started making noise and was replaced under warranty."

Anonymous, VA (2016 Volvo XC60)
Refrigerant leaks

"not cooling after owning 4 yrs and driven very little each year"

Anonymous, MD (2016 Volvo XC60 T5 Drive-E 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.

What Owners Say

Accessory belts or pulleys

"Alternator locked up and shred the serpentine belt"

Madison H., TX (2016 Volvo XC60 T6 R-Design 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Engine computer

"Engine light comes on, still trying to diagnose"

Ralph F., HI (2016 Volvo XC60 T5 2.5-L 5 Cyl turbo)

Body Integrity

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, loose or cracked seals and/or weather-stripping, air and water leaks.

What Owners Say

Air or water leaks

"so much water pooled under front passenger seat that electrical connections to rear passenger window and door locks failed multiple times, resulting in a 5 week service visit to find the problem (cowl seal), and ultimately an early lease termination after 13 months of planned 39 month term"

Andrew W., ON (2016 Volvo XC60 T6 R-Design 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.

What Owners Say

Turbo or supercharger

"Vacuum line was broken caused engine light to come and several days to locate and get new part"

Timothy G., CT (2016 Volvo XC60 T5 2.5-L 5 Cyl turbo)

Power Equipment

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, remote engine start, alarm or security system

What Owners Say

Battery (not hybrid or electric)

"The battery died which caused the car to not recognize the key fob. After several attempts to start the car went into safe mode to prevent it from being stolen. The dealer had to reset the settings."

Ronnie K., CA (2016 Volvo XC60 T6 R-Design 3.0-L 6 Cyl turbo)

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, 4WD/AWD components, driveline vibration, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), electrical failure.

What Owners Say

Electrical failure

"The car's alternator failed right at the end around the end of warranty. The car was under the number of years covered and within 1,000 miles of miles covered. The problem was resolved when I had it replaced. I had to play a game with the dealership of escalating to the regional office whether they would cover and only after I towed and diagnosed what a local repair shop had done. They repaired at a discount (I believe it turned out to be a free alternator but needed buy a new battery and pay full labor - still at a considerable expense). I feel given the closeness to the warranty more should have been covered (particularly since we have bought 3 new Volvos from the dealership). This will be my last Volvo."

Anonymous, MA (2016 Volvo XC60 Unsure Unsure)

Paint/Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling), loose interior and exterior trim or moldings, rust.

What Owners Say

Rust

"Had 2 chips in paint on roof, that turned into rust."

Anonymous, MA (2016 Volvo XC60 T5 2.5-L 5 Cyl turbo)

Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, leaks.

Body Hardware

Power or manual windows, locks and latches, tailgate, hatch or trunk, doors or sliding doors, mirrors, seat controls, safety belts, sunroof, convertible top.

Transmission Minor

Gear selector or linkage, leaks, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission.

Fuel System

Check engine light, sensors (includes O2 or oxygen sensor), emission control devices (includes EGR), engine computer, engine computer, fuel cap, fuel gauge/sender, fuel injection system, fuel pump, fuel leaks, stalling or hesitation.

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