We all know that cars lose consumer interest over time. After all, competitors will do everything to always stay ahead of the curve. However, in the case of the Volvo XC60, it appears that the sales figures have only improved over time, as it is the Swedish brand’s best-selling vehicle. Can you believe that the second-generation XC60 has been around since 2018?

Now, Volvo has finally decided to give it a much-needed mid-cycle update. While it may initially seem that not much has changed, Volvo has refreshed the engine lineup with all trims now coming with some form of hybridization out of the box. Volvo has also updated the infotainment system, which is now Android-based, and the automaker’s legendary safety suit has also received updates.

2022 Volvo XC60 Performance and Capability

Volvo plans to go all-electric by 2030 and the Swedish marque currently has just two all-electric models in its lineup, the C40 Recharge, and the XC40 Recharge. But until more models can go the electric route, hybridization is a great way to get your feet wet in the EV space.

The old T5 and T6 have made way for a pair of new Mild Hybrid (B5 or B6) along with a new Plug-in Hybrid (T8), known as the XC60 Recharge, which is practically a separate model by itself.

The regular XC60 with the Mild Hybrid power plant is available in three trims

- Momentum

- Inscription

- R-Design

The base Momentum trim comes with the B5 engine, a 2.0-liter turbocharged in-line four-cylinder unit. It produces 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Step it up to either Inscription or R-Design trim and apart from the B5 Front and All-Wheel-Drive options, you can also get a more powerful B6 engine that adds a supercharger to produce a healthy 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The B6 configuration comes with All-Wheel Drive as standard.

All three trim’s with either engine feature an eight-speed automatic transmission along with a new 48-volt mild-hybrid system. It employs an integrated starter generator (ISG) that facilitates a more responsive Start/Stop function along with effortless torque from a standstill. The regenerative braking also helps recuperate energy from braking and tops up that 48-volt battery.

On the dynamics front, all XC60’s come with an independent suspension with the option to upgrade to cushier air suspension with adaptive damping on higher trims.

The drive modes include

- Eco

- Comfort

- Dynamic

- Off-Road

Regardless of the trim, you choose all XC60s can tow up to 3500 pounds with governed at a top speed rated at 112 MPH.

Performance

Exterior Design

The sheet metal of the Volvo XC60 has pretty much remained unchanged for the past few years and that is a good thing. Making a crossover SUV look good can be a tricky affair and Volvo got it right off the bat. The second generation of the XC60 drew a lot of styling cues from the bigger XC90 including the big chrome grille, Thor's Hammer headlights with LED technology, and the Swedish automaker's signature vertical taillights.

Given how successful this recipe has been for Volvo, not much has changed for 2022 aside from a tweaked front grille and bumper to a reworked rear bumper where the exhaust tips have made way for a cleaner look.

Even in base Momentum trim, the XC60 looks smart. You get a black grille and 18-inch rims. Inscription gets you more bright work with chrome embellishments on the bumper the doors and the roof rails along with bigger 19-inch rims.

The top-spec R-Design trim features a sporty grille along with a more aggressive-looking bumper. It ditches the chrome for black trim and comes with 19-inch rims as standard. Bigger rim sizes ranging from 19-inches to 21-inches and Running Boards ($1,525) are also available on all three trims.

Exterior Dimensions

Exterior Colors

Interior Quality and Technology

Just like the exterior, the cabin of the XC60 has a classy theme. Unlike some rivals that have moved most of the functions to the screen, Volvo has thankfully stuck with a good mix of traditional buttons for stuff like basic radio controls, and in typical Scandinavian fashion, everything is logically laid out and falls to hand well.

You can choose from a range of themes to configure the XC60’s cabin to your taste. The base Momentum comes with two new textile upholstery in either black or blonde colors and contrasting aluminum trim. A leather interior ($1,400) is available in three colors along with Linear Limewood decor.

The Inscription trim gets you a posher ambiance with more comfort. You get heated/ventilated Nappa leather seats with four colors to choose from along with a new Wool Blend option that contrasts well against either the Drift Wood or Lime Wood pieces.

The seats on the Inscription offer more comfort in that they have more adjustability. Highlights include a leather steering wheel, a tailored dashboard, and a truly exquisite crystal glass gear selector knob made by Swedish glass maker, Orrefors. Finally, the R-Design will either get you a Charcoal or Slate Nappa leather interior along with metal mesh aluminum decor.

The latest XC60 also gets some big tech updates. The portrait-style 9.0-inch Sensus infotainment system features an Android operating system as its base. It not only boasts a number of apps from Google but also delivers better touch response with a simpler design.

Apple users, don’t fret because this system is compatible with iPhones as well. It can receive over-the-air updates as well. You can also use voice controls to interact with the system that supports 4G LTE along with a WiFi hotspot. You can upgrade your aural experience with a 14 -speaker Harmon Kardon system ($800) on the Momentum.

Inscription and R-Design trims will allow you to add a 15-speaker 1,460-watt Bowers and Wilkins premium sound system ($3,200). The 12.3-inch digital driver display is a fair size but doesn’t offer the level of configuration that some rivals do.

Interior Dimensions

2022 Volvo XC60 Price and Availability

2022 Volvo XC60 Price

The above prices exclude the $1,095 Destination Fee. All three trims are available with Front-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel-Drive. You can get the B5 engine with All-Wheel Drive ($2,300). The Inscription and R-Design trims are also available with the optional B6 engine ($6,300) that comes with AWD as standard. Configure your 2022 Volvo XC60 here.

Safety

If there is one that Volvo does better than the rest of the industry, it is 'Safety', and the XC60 is also a beneficiary of this Swedish pioneering safety technology. The current XC60 continues its streak of offering up an excellent and exhaustive safety suit and driver aids. The 2021 model year racked up five stars for overall safety by the NHTSA and the XC60 also received the 2021 Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.

- Standard Safety equipment includes

- Forward collision warning

- Front and rear automatic braking

- Rear cross-traffic alert

- Blind-spot monitoring

- Automatic high-beams and windshield wipers

- Lane-keep assist

- 360-degree camera

- Integrated child booster seats

The Advance Package ($2,500) offers fantastic value as it includes several safety and convenience features like Autonomous driving (Level 2), heads-up display, parking sensors, cruise control, front camera and radar, side camera, power rear child lock seats, HomeLink garage door transmitter an air quality sensor, and ambient lighting.

The 2022 XC60 also features a sensor for the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) that supports semi-autonomous driving. Dubbed Pilot Assist, the system provides visual, audible, and haptic alerts to the driver. It has the ability to brake and steer the vehicle independently with traffic, cyclist, and pedestrian detection.

Main Competition

This compact/mid-size luxury crossover space is extremely competitive and you have a myriad of fantastic options to choose from. The Volvo XC60’s primary rivals include the German Trio of the Audi Q5, the BMW X3, and the Mercedes Benz GLC.

You can also count the Land Rover Discovery Sport from Europe. From Asia, you’ve got cars like the Genesis GV70 and the Lexus RX, which also packs Hybrid-tech, just like the Volvo. Here’s how the base models of these vehicles compare in terms of power and torque figures.

With a cargo capacity of 17.8 cubic feet, the Volvo XC60 falls short of its main rivals, with only the Lexus fairing much worse at just 16 cubic feet, but that is the trade-off if you want the Mild-Hybrid tech. The Land Rover has the best cargo capacity of the bunch at 32.7 cubic feet.

To summarize, the 2022 Volvo XC60 stands out of the bunch and is worth considering for its stylish exterior, a posh cabin with comfy seats, and upgrades to the technology and safety kit that should help it stay competitive in this cutthroat segment.