Why You Should Park the Volvo XC60 T6 AWD Inscription in Your Driveway

By: Scott Tilley | Photo: Scott Tilley

The Volvo XC60 was unveiled at the 2007 North American International Auto Show as a compact luxury crossover SUV arriving on North American shores in 2009. What made this vehicle reveal so important, the XC60 was Volvo's coming out party for style and elegance. Its platform was based on the Ford EUCD platform and the technology came from the Land Rover, which at the time were owned by the Ford Corporation.

Since it's availability in North America, the XC60 has been Volvo's bestselling vehicle in its impressive stable of vehicles. In 2017 a second generation XC60 was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, sharing this platform with the XC90, S90 and V90. This new second generation model was part of another ideology shift just as the gen one XC was. All gen two XC60s will only come standard with four-cylinder engines, but in three different engine configurations to meet the desires of the owner.

The Reputation

Volvo had a reputation for the longest time that it was a very safe and functional piece of transportation. People who bought the early Volvo sedans were choosing safety over style and even to some degree luxury. The reason I believe the first gen XC60 was such a great seller, especially here in North America, people no longer had to pick function over style. The second generation continues with that same trend of comfort and control. It allows people to pick a vehicle that has a bold design with a stylish interior without compromising one bit of safety or functionality. It is a two-row SUV that can seat five adults comfortably including suitcases, because it rides on the Volvo Scalable Product Architecture platform. Volvo reportedly spent what would be the equivalent to 10 billion U.S. dollars to develop this ground-breaking platform. It is so advanced, it will offer protection in worst-case scenarios and help drivers avoid accidents.

Trim Choices

When you make the decision to buy the XC60, you will have the ability to pick a vehicle that fits your personal style and taste without compromising. There are three trim levels to pick from: the Momentum, the R-Design, and the Inscription.

Momentum

The Momentum is considered the base line trim for the XC60, but it surely doesn't mean you will be disappointed. It has a number of finer details that will push it past many of its competition in the segment. To start with, there is a panoramic moonroof, leather upholstery, power front seats and dual-zone climate control. It also offers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and 10 speakers.

R-Design

If you want an XC60 that has performance-inspired styling then the R-design is the trim you are looking for. The exterior is bold with a glossy black mesh grille, integrated tailpipes, and 19-inch alloy wheels. The interior has textured aluminum trim throughout with contour seats and large bolsters that are wrapped with Nappa leather to keep you comfortably in place while driving through the countryside. To accent the sporty ride, the R-Design also comes with stiffer springs and dampers for the suspension to elevate the driving experience.

Inscription

If you are looking for an XC60 that is visually stunning inside and out you will want to consider the Inscription trim level. It is the highest trim level the XC60 offers. It comes with driftwood trim throughout the cabin, Nappa leather upholstery, quad-zone automatic climate control, a laminated panoramic moonroof, a 14-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system and optional heated/cooled seats with massaging function. There are also conveniences like handsfree power rear liftgate, power-folding rear-seat and headrests, power-folding second-row seats, auto-dimming rearview and side mirrors, self-parking feature, heated windshield wiper blades and HomeLink integration.

Power and Drivetrain Choices

Once you have decided on a trim level that fits you style, you then get to choose from three separate engine types. They all start out as 2.0-liter I-4 engines, then depending on your driving style you pick how sporty or fuel efficient you would like your engine to be. All engines are mated to the same 8-speed transmission. You will have to decide if you will prefer front wheel drive or AWD. The first choice is the base line T5 engine. It is turbocharged and will produce a respectable 250-horsepower and 258 lb-ft. It is the only engine that can be paired with front-wheel drive system. It will have an EPA-estimated rating of 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. The second engine choice is the T6. It can only be paired with AWD vehicles. The T6 will feature both a turbocharger and supercharger that will produce 316-horsepower 295 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy for the T6 is 19 city and 27 highway. Final engine choice is the hybrid T8. It is a combination of the T6 engine and an 87 hp electric motor providing a combined horsepower of 400 and 472 lb-ft of torque. It will have a fuel economy rating of 26 city and 28 highway mpg, or 58 mpg-e with the hybrid system active.

Safety

No matter what trim package or power train you choose you will have the comfort to know you are driving a vehicle with a well-known reputation for safety. At its base level, the XC60 is a 2019 IIHS Top Safety Pick. It also earned a Superior designation for its front crash prevention because it was able to fully avoided collisions both in the 12-mph low-speed and 25-mph high-speed autobrake test. There are the traditional Volvo standards like a whiplash protection system, side impact protection system, roll stability control, dynamic stability and traction control, inflatable curtain airbags, hill descent control (AWD only), collision warning with brake support, active bi-xenon lights (optional on some models), and patented front, side, and rear structures. But there is a whole new standard of safety features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and large animal detection, oncoming lane mitigation, lane keep assist, driver alert control, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high beams. And there is also the Advanced package with surround-view camera system, active bending headlights, and semi-autonomous driving capability.

My press loan for the week was the top of the trim line T6 AWD Inscription. I found it offered all that someone would want in a European luxury ride. Then throw in the Volvo safety reputation, that moves the XC60 towards the top of the category. Even though it's a tad smaller than the XC90, I think it still offers enough interior and cargo spacing for an active family of four. You could easily fit four adults, a few pieces of luggage and a hockey travel bag. There is enough cargo space for a weekend camping trip for either a cabin or tent for a family of four. On the highway it drives and handles like a traditional SUV. But in the city it is able to move among the traffic and parking lots like a smaller CUV. There is a reason this SUV has been a top seller in the Volovo stable since it hit the market in 2009, I honestly don't see that changing anytime soon.