2022 Volvo XC60 Review

The luxury compact SUV segment is packed with excellent competitors from various premium brands, but the one Scandinavian model on the list doesn't blend in with its rivals. Since its 2018 redesign, the Volvo XC60 has set itself apart with its unique headlights and taillights, tasteful body lines, and an uncluttered, upscale interior made of high-quality materials. The Swede, though, doesn't have the handling chops of some of its rivals or the softest ride.

As with most premium SUVs, the XC60 hauls the family around in comfort, provides a useful amount of cargo space, and comes standard with a long list of advanced driver aids such as automatic emergency braking and evasive steering assist. Sizewise, the XC60 slots in between the smaller XC40 and larger XC90 SUVs. The XC60 also has a performance variant like its German rivals (BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Audi Q5) do. It's the Polestar Engineered model that's based on the plug-in hybrid Recharge T8 version.

For the 2022 model year, Volvo refreshed the XC60 with reworked front and rear fascias and updated engines. There's also a new Google-based infotainment system that features Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play. Under the hood, Volvo has added a new mild hybrid system to the XC60's engines. It helps to slightly improve fuel economy — by about 1-2 mpg compared to last year — and smooth out the engine automatic stop-start feature when you're at stoplights.

The XC60's plug-in hybrid model, the Recharge, also gets a midyear update that includes a higher-capacity battery and a more powerful rear electric motor. The combination provides more power — a heady 455 horsepower — plus the ability to drive around 36 miles on a full charge, which is quite good for a plug-in hybrid. Recharging frequently can really help reduce your use of gasoline.

Overall, we recommend the XC60 and find it a competitive choice among other small luxury SUVs including the Acura RDX, BMW X3, Genesis GV70 and Mercedes-Benz GLC.

The Volvo XC60 is a compact luxury SUV. The base B5 engine is offered in Momentum, R-Design and Inscription trims. The upgraded B6 engine can be paired with the R-Design or Inscription trim. The base trim for the plug-in hybrid Recharge model is the Inscription Expression trim, and the R-Design and Inscription trims are also available. The top Polestar Engineered trim gets some performance enhancements to complement the Recharge T8 powertrain. Here's what you need to know: