The Volvo XC60 is one of the most stylish cars offered by the Swedish car maker and its main target is the premium crossover segment, therefore the XC60 is looking to steal sales from the likes of the BMW X3, Audi Q5 and Range Rover Evoque.

Working to the XC60’s advantage straight away is that it has a sleek coupe-like design which is attractive and far less boxy than other cars in the Volvo range. Volvo has been keeping the design of the XC60 up-to-date, giving the car a facelift as recently as back in 2014.

It certainly has the looks to win over premium crossover buyers, but does the XC60 have enough about it to take on its rivals?

Performance

It’s no sports car, but the performance of the XC60 is actually quite surprising. Our test car was powered by the 212bhp 2.4-litre five-cylinder D5 diesel engine mated to an optional six-speed automatic gearbox (rather than the standard six-speed manual ‘box).

All D5-powered models use four-wheel drive as standard. It will get from zero to 62mph in 7.5 seconds and has a top speed of 130mph.

Torque is well spread but it’s the low-down shove that’s particularly notable, meaning there is a decent amount of pull when needing to overtake slow vehicles.

The other diesel engine in the XC60 range is a 179bhp 2.0-litre D4 which has less pulling power, but it only feels a tad different. In fact, it covers the 0-62mph sprint in just eight seconds. Four-wheel drive is also available with this engine, with cheaper variants using front-wheel drive.

There’s a single petrol engine available alongside the XC60’s two diesels, and it’s reserved for the top-of-the-range specification. It uses a 3.0-litre T6 with four-wheel drive and a startling 300bhp. This model will cover the 0-62mph sprint in just 6.5 seconds, but its running costs are much higher compared to the diesel units.

Ride and Handling

Overall, the XC60 can hold its own with the vast majority of runners in this class, but Ford’s Kuga and BMW’s X3 will appeal more to driving enthusiasts.

On the road, the XC60 is a sizeable car but it’s on a par with the Range Rover Evoque when it comes to driving dynamics. The XC60 actually has less body roll when you push on in twisty routes when compared to the British-built Evoque. What’s also pleasing about this Volvo is how smooth the ride is. On the downside, the steering on the XC60 is quite heavy and not particularly well-weighted. Happily, there is a lot of grip on offer but it doesn’t feel anywhere near as sporty as the sleek coupe design might lead you to believe. Overall, the XC60 can hold its own with the vast majority of runners in this class, but the Ford Kuga and BMW’s X3 will appeal more to driving enthusiasts.

Interior and Equipment

The platform which the XC60 is based on is also being used for the all-new Land Rover Discovery Sport.

The cabin is one of the comfiest in the sector while the seats and driving position are first class. Volvo has a reputation for making comfy seats and the XC60 is no different, with high-quality materials and there’s also plenty of cubby holes dotted around the cabin. Loads of kit comes as standard on the entry level SE trim, including Bluetooth, full climate control, cruise control, all-round electric windows and an infotainment device with steering wheel controls. There’s also a multitude of safety systems including City Safety System, ESP and six airbags. Move to the rear and there is plenty of space for two adults and, at a push, you could squeeze three in depending on size and height. With seats in place, the boot has a load space of 495 litres and if you need more room this expands to 1,455 litres by lowering the rear bench. The BMW is bigger both with seats in place (550 litres of space is available) and folded (1,600 litres of space) which means the XC60 is fairly practical but nowhere near best-in-class. So luggage space is okay but it’s worth noting that the XC60 has a towing limit (braked) of 2,000kg, beating the equivalent-powered diesel Q5 by 200kg.

Cost

The D4 diesel engine is the pick of the range as it averages up to 62.8mpg and emits between just 117g/km and 139g/km.

The Volvo XC60 comes out about average on costs, firmly in the middle of the pack. The D4 diesel engine is the pick of the range as it averages up to 62.8mpg and emits between just 117g/km and 139g/km. The D5 diesel also emits 139g/km and averages 53.3mpg. The T6 petrol on the other hand is thirsty, averaging just 26.4mpg, and emitting a daunting 249g/km in CO2. Pricing for the XC60 diesel models range between just under £31,500 and a little below £40,000. The XC60’s starting price is more expensive than both the BMW X3 and the Audi Q5, but the difference is marginal.

Our Verdict

The Volvo XC60 has it tough - entering a crowded segment with big-gun rivals including the X3, Q5 and Evoque. On the plus side though, this car is smooth and comfortable to drive, it’s well equipped and it offers decent diesel engines. Some rivals, particularly the BMW X3, have much better steering and are more practical however. So it’s not a class-leader, but the XC60 is still a decent entry for the premium crossover segment and well worth considering for anyone after an original choice compared to the more established names.