[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/volvo-xc60-critics\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/volvo-xc60-critics\/","headline":"Volvo XC60 – what the critics think","name":"Volvo XC60 – what the critics think","description":"Almost an entire decade has passed since the original XC60 went on sale, but finally, we have an all-new replacement. You may think the mid-size SUV isn\u2019t that big of a deal, because the V40 and XC90 usually hog the limelight whenever anyone talks about Volvo. However, around three in ten Volvos sold worldwide is an XC60. The second-generation XC60 recently arrived in showrooms, but before you race down to your nearest Volvo dealer for a test drive, maybe you […]","datePublished":"2017-07-26","dateModified":"2017-07-26","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/matthew-collett\/#Person","name":"Matthew Collett","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/matthew-collett\/","identifier":5,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/64eca1152247aa111ace79ff1c03782b175df9dc21d2092364ff21e1cf5e38fa?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/64eca1152247aa111ace79ff1c03782b175df9dc21d2092364ff21e1cf5e38fa?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Volvo-XC60-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Volvo-XC60-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/volvo-xc60-critics\/","about":["LATEST CAR NEWS"],"wordCount":708,"keywords":["Auto Car","Car Magazine","Premium SUV","SUV","top gear","volvo","Volvo XC60","volvo xc90","what car"],"articleBody":"Almost an entire decade has passed since the original XC60 went on sale, but finally, we have an all-new replacement.You may think the mid-size SUV isn\u2019t that big of a deal, because the V40 and XC90 usually hog the limelight whenever anyone talks about Volvo.However, around three in ten Volvos sold worldwide is an XC60.The second-generation XC60 recently arrived in showrooms, but before you race down to your nearest Volvo dealer for a test drive, maybe you should read what the British motoring press thought of it first\u2026Honey, I shrunk the XC90Car Magazine quite rightly focused on the XC60\u2019s similarity to its big brother – the Range Rover Sport-rivalling XC90.Both are built on Volvo\u2019s Scalable Product Architecture, but the XC60 sits on the compact version of the platform, just like its saloon and estate (the S60 and V60) counterparts eventually will.On the surface though, it does indeed look like \u2018Honey, I shrunk the XC90\u2019 with the XC60 boasting the same key design features like the snazzy front grille and \u2018Thor\u2019s hammer\u2019 headlights.The new XC60 is longer, wider and lower than the original model, but manages to achieve a higher ground clearance and it isn\u2019t any heavier.\u201cOozes class\u201dAutocar were impressed by the XC60\u2019s sharp look, which \u201coozes class inside and out\u201d.They commented how the car was \u201cnicely proportioned\u201d to facilitate \u201can airy, spacious cabin while striking a sleek, understated, Nordic-chic exterior that isn\u2019t particularly flashy, but neither is it emotionless and bland like many of the snoozefest SUVs in the class\u201d.Anyone considering the XC90 will find the same high level of luxury in the 60\u2019s charmingly Scandinavian cabin, according to Autocar, with downsizing doing \u201cnothing to dilute the impression of sitting in a well-thought-out space\u201d.On the roadHow does it drive though? Well, Volvo is rarely the first name people turn to when they want an exhilarating drive and unsurprisingly, that remains the case with the XC60.\u201cIt’s not the most captivating driver’s car,\u201d concedes Top Gear, before adding it feels relaxing and is \u201cgood to ride in\u201d.They complement the D5 engine and its quick 7.2-second 0-62mph sprint, despite the \u201cdozy\u201d automatic transmission making the lag very noticeable.\u201cFlooring it sometimes meets with little more than a yawn as the powertrain hits the sleep button and rolls back under the duvet. Then after a pause, it leaps out of bed in a panic,\u201d they note in typical TG style.Not the driver\u2019s choiceThe XC90 handled like a deceptively nimble yet empowering mammoth, so does the XC60 follow suit? Not quite, reckon the guys at Autocar, who described the ride as \u201coccasionally clunky and hollow on poorer surfaces\u201d and the steering as \u201coverly light and remote\u201d.Car Magazine agreed, saying that while it was never going to be the driver\u2019s choice in the class, it doesn\u2019t take home the wooden spoon either.WhatCar adds that it only takes a few corners to realise Volvo\u2019s claims of the XC60 having sporty handling are nonsense, and if you\u2019re after an engaging drive, you\u2019d be better pursuing a Porsche Macan or Jaguar F-Pace.VerdictSo should you buy one? Maybe.Auto Express really liked the XC60. It\u2019s the current holder of their Premium SUV of the Year title and as such, they gave it a top five-star rating.They say that despite having the edge over its rivals in terms of comfort, the XC60\u2019s competitors offer a more dynamic drive.Car Magazine bestowed it with a maximum five stars too, praising its usability and feelgood factor.WhatCar was also fond, gifting it four out of five stars, due to its elegant, high-quality interior and generous line-up of standard equipment. However, they bemoaned its \u201cuninspiring handling\u201d and found the segment leaders to be quieter.Autocar was more restrained when rating the XC60 though, dishing out just three and a half stars. They thought its striking design and solid premium-feeling interior was counteracted by its ordinary performance and noisy ride.Is the XC60 still on your shopping list? Let us know what you think of the new Volvo in the comments section below. 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