Volvo XC60

XC60 concept (2007)

The XC60 concept was a preview of the production XC60. It included a glass roof and a newly styled grille, with a much larger Volvo logo along with the 'V' which is shaped on the Volvo. The model introduced Volvo's new 'DNA' which they slowly implementing throughout the model range. The XC60 concept also included a new shifting mechanism, electronic bootlid, and 20 inch wheels.

The vehicle was unveiled at the 2007 North American International Auto Show.

First generation (2008–2017)

The production vehicle was unveiled at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show. Sales began in Europe in the third quarter of 2008 and in North American in early 2009 as a 2010 model. The XC60 has been Volvo's best selling car since 2009.

Manufactured by subsidiary Volvo Car Gent in Ghent, Belgium, the first generation XC60 is based on Volvo's P3 platform and the XC60 shares technology with the Land Rover Freelander of 2007. At the time of development, both Land Rover and Volvo were owned by Ford and development was split between the two subsidiaries.. Much of the engineering and tuning of this CUV was done by Volvo in Sweden, though offroad capabilities were done at Land Rover in England. The project director for the XC60 is Lars Blenwall.

In April 2010, an R-Design variant of the XC60 became available, featuring a color-matching body kit, stiffer chassis and damping, and other unique exterior/interior trim.

In February 2013, Volvo debuted a refreshed version of the XC60, to be released for the 2014 model year. Exterior updates are primarily cosmetic, with changes to the grille and front driving lights, loss of black cladding along the lower doorsills, and minor changes to the exhaust tips and taillights. Interior updates include new materials and dashboard trims, available paddle shifter on the T6 model, and introduction of a 7" touch-screen display.

XC60 Ocean Race

In 2014, special blue colour.

XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept

The Volvo XC60 plug-in hybrid concept was unveiled at the 2012 North American International Auto Show. The powertrain mated a 270 hp (201 kW; 274 PS) turbocharged 4-cylinder driving the front wheels with a 70 hp (52 kW; 71 PS) electric motor driving the rear wheels, giving the powertrain a peak combined output of 350 hp (261 kW; 355 PS). According to Volvo, the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid has an all-electric range of up to 35 mi (56 km) for a fuel economy equivalent of 105 mpg_‑US (2.2 L/100 km; 126 mpg_‑imp) and a total range of 600 mi (970 km). Fuel economy when running on the gasoline engine is estimated at 50 mpg_‑US (4.7 L/100 km; 60 mpg_‑imp). Recharging time is 3.5 hours from a 220V outlet and 7.5 hours from a 110V outlet. However, the model was never released for production.

Safety

The XC60 includes traditional Volvo safety features including 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. The XC60 also introduced a new technology feature that Volvo has named City safety. The system is described as a driver support system with the goal of preventing or mitigating vehicle-on-vehicle collisions below 30 km/h (19 mph); it does so through the use of a closing velocity sensor that helps determine whether a collision is likely. Depending on the speed, if a collision is likely, the Volvo's computer system will either prepare the car to brake or automatically brake the vehicle to avoid or mitigate a rear-end collision. Volvo also implemented the system to assist in towing caravans and trailers.

In 2011, the Highway Loss Data Institute credited City Safety for 27% fewer property damage liability claims, 51% fewer bodily injury liability claims, and 22% fewer collision claims for the XC60 compared to other midsize luxury SUVs. The XC60 had fewer insurance claims compared to other Volvo models lacking the City Safety feature.

EuroNCAP evaluated the XC60 in 2008, awarding it 5 of 5 stars for adult occupant protection. The XC60 scored 16 of 16 points in the front test and 16 of 16 in the side test. The car received 2 of 2 points available in the pole test and an additional 3 points available for seat belt reminders. The XC60 received a total of 37 of 37 points and therefore five stars (33-37) in EuroNCAP's evaluation. The XC60 was one of only three cars (Nissan Qashqai, 2008-onward Renault Megane) to receive 37 of 37 available points under EuroNCAP's point based evaluation.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Volvo XC60 their Top Safety Pick+ award. The XC60 was granted the IIHS's highest rating of "good" in front, side, rear and roof strength tests and has Electronic Stability Control as standard equipment to receive the award.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

Sales and marketing

Volvo used the 2009 film The Twilight Saga: New Moon to promote the XC60, including an online contest to give away models identical to the one driven by lead character Edward Cullen.

Second generation (2017–present)

The second generation model was unveiled at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. The first -60 series model in its generation and the first since Volvo's purchase by Geely, the XC60 is based on the same Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform as the S90, V90, and XC90. As part of Volvo's move toward smaller engines, the new model uses only four-cylinder engines, in various configurations and states of tune, again shared with the -90 series models.