Fresh exterior styling, revised cabins and the availability of new driver assist technologies headline the enhancements to the updated Volvo XC60.
Local customers will have to wait until around April to gain access to Volvo’s new ‘Drive-E’ family of 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines, however, with the facelifted premium mid-sized SUV mechanically identical to its predecessor, save for the discontinuation of the old 3.2-litre six-cylinder petrol.
Volvo Car Australia has simplified the XC60 range, cutting the number of variants from 12 to eight, while increasing prices between $500 and $1850. The entry-level petrol (T5) and diesel (D4) engines are offered in Kinetic and Luxury trims, while the larger and more powerful T6 and D5 powertrains come in Luxury and sporty R-Design specification (pictured).
The Volvo XC60 T5 Kinetic starts at $56,990, with the D4 Kinetic $2000 more at $58,990. Standard in Kinetic spec is a set of 17-inch alloy wheels; LED daytime running lights; auto-folding side mirrors; new adaptive digital instrument cluster display (first seen in the V40 hatchback) with Elegance, Eco and Performance modes; rear-view camera and reversing sensors; electrically adjustable driver’s seat with memory settings; leather upholstery; climate control; seven-inch colour screen; and an eight-speaker audio system with USB input and Bluetooth phone and audio streaming.
The Volvo XC60’s standard safety package also includes City Safety automatic braking, which now operates at speeds up to 50km/h (up from 30km/h), as well as electronic stability control and six airbags (dual front, side and curtains).
Satellite navigation is a $2950 option in the Kinetic, while options across the range include metallic paint ($1750), heated front seats ($375), panoramic sunroof ($2650) and a subwoofer ($1350).
The T5 and D4 Luxury variants are both $5000 more than their Kinetic trims, costing $61,990 and $63,990 respectively. Over the base equipment level, Luxury models gain larger 18-inch alloys, active bending headlights, keyless entry, sat nav, digital compass in the rear-view mirror, electrically adjustable passenger seat, leather-covered instrument panel, metal steering wheel inlays, and a vehicle alarm.
The Luxury versions of the D5 and T6 engines are identically equipped, but also gain steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. They cost $69,990 and $74,990 respectively.
The XC60 R-Design models round out the range at $73,990 (D5) and $78,990 (T6). Over the Kinetic spec, the R-Design package includes 18-inch matt black alloys, active bending lights, R-Design exterior and interior styling enhancements, sport chassis, sat nav, gearshift paddles, and an enhanced 10-speaker premium audio system.
The R-Design variants also score Polestar-optimised engine tunes. In the 2.4-litre five-cylinder D5, this boosts power from 158kW to 169kW and torque from 440Nm to 470Nm, while the turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six T6 rises from 224kW to 242kW and 440Nm to 480Nm. The increases cut the cars’ 0-100km/h sprint times from 8.3 to 8.1 seconds and 6.9 to 6.6sec respectively, without having any negative impact on claimed combined cycle fuel consumption (D5: 6.9 litres per 100km; T6: 10.5L/100km).
The 2.0-litre five-cylinder D4 diesel continues to produce 120kW of power and 400Nm of torque, accelerate to triple figures in 10.3sec and consume 6.9L/100km combined.
The turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder T5 pumps out 177kW and 320Nm, sprints to 100km/h in 8.1sec and drinks a combined 8.7L/100km.
The T5 and D4 engines are front-wheel-drive only, while the T6 and D5 are exclusively all-wheel drive. The T5 uniquely features a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, while the other three feature conventional six-speed torque-convertor autos.
The updated XC60 models are distinguished by refreshed front-end styling with new headlights, bumpers and grille designs, as well as new alloy wheels and fully colour-coordinated body panels, replacing the grey plastic skirting of the old model.
New upholstery colours, wood inlays, headliners and metal highlights find their way into the upgraded interiors.
A host of new driver assist features are now also available, though all are optional across the range. Separately they cost more than $8000, however the full suite – including blind spot information system and cross traffic alert; driver alert system with lane departure warning, lane keeping aid, active high beam control, forward collision warning and road sign information; adaptive cruise control with full auto brake; front parking sensors; and auto-dimming side mirrors – is offered in Luxury and R-Design models as the $5000 Driver Support Package. Kinetic customers are forced to order each option separately.
Volvo Car Australia expects the introduction of the updated models to give XC60 sales a boost, following a 20.6 per cent drop so far this year from 1698 units to 1349.
Volvo XC60 manufacturer’s list prices:
T5 Kinetic – $56,990 (+$1500) T5 Luxury – $61,990 (+$1800) D4 Kinetic – $58,990 (+$500) D4 Luxury – $63,990 (+$500) D5 Luxury – $69,990 (+$1500) D5 R-Design – $73,990 (+$1500) T6 Luxury – $74,990 (+$1850) T6 R-Design – $78,990 (+$850)
