2024 Volvo XC60

Buyers looking for a comfortable, well-built luxury SUV can turn to established favorites from Audi, BMW and Mercedes. Or they can consider the stylish 2024 Volvo XC60, which offers a bit of modern Scandinavian cool relative to its more serious German counterparts. The XC60 seats five in an interior roomier than most rivals, it offers sophisticated safety features, and is the only model in this group to offer a plug-in hybrid version that can cover 35 miles on electricity. It lacks the Benz's cushy ride comfort or the Audi and BMW's athleticism, but the XC60 has a distinct character of its own.

Buyers have many options for a small luxury SUV, from the agile Audi Q5 and BMW X3 to the stately Mercedes-Benz GLC. The Genesis GV70 offers bold, Bentley-esque style at an un-Bentley price, while the Lexus RX offers timeless elegance and comfort. The Cadillac XT5 flies under the radar but delivers snappy handling and striking design. The only rival to the T8 Recharge is the Audi Q5, although it's rated for less electric range — 23 miles — than the Volvo.

Volvo has always cut its own path among European luxury cars. The XC60 is no different, offering a standard gas engine alongside a plug-in hybrid option. Few rivals offer the latter (the Audi Q5 is a notable exception) and it gives the XC60 an edge, although a pricey one that costs more than $11,000 over the base drivetrain. The extra power is enticing, though, and depending on your driving, the premium could pay off. The T8 can also "self-recharge" by using the gas engine to boost battery charge. It's no substitute for plugging in and filling up, but it's a useful feature that can extend electric range. In combined operation, the T8 is rated at 63 miles per gallon equivalent.