Volvo’s medium XC60 has been one of the Swedish brand’s most popular products since its launch in 2009, and became one of the first premium mid-sized SUVs in the process.
It’s even enjoyed success as a fully fledged highway patrol car in country NSW (in T6 form). An all-new XC60 was launched in 2017, built on top of a new, flexible platform that is set to go underneath all of the company’s cars, and already underpins the larger XC90 SUV and S60 sedan.
The XC60 Plus B5 Mhev starts at $73,990 before topping out at $101,990 for the XC60 Ultra T8 Phev Dark.
Although both these cars are similar in many ways, there’s one area where they take difference philosophies. And that’s in the way their hybrid systems are configured and prioritised.
While the Lexus is more of a conventional hybrid with the electric motor doing a lot of the heavy lifting, the Volvo is what’s called a mild hybrid., As the name suggests, that means the electric power is limited to a 10kW boost when taking off or when the driver requires maximum acceleration.
A mild hybrid layout does still operate the stop-start function and can harvest energy when slowing down, so it’s still a worthwhile slice of tech, but it won’t affect fuel consumption as much as the Lexus’ full hybrid system.
Reliability is a bit of an unknown with any new car, but it’s fair to say that the Lexus’ reputation will count for something come trade-in time. Not to mention that, as the more hybrid-focussed of the pair, the Lexus might also be a little more future-proof.
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Australian delivered Volvo XC60s built between 2009 (when the vehicle was launched here) and 2017 were built at Volvo’s plant in Ghent, Belgium. For the current-model XC60 (launched in 2017) production moved to the Gothenburg plant in Sweden.
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This is a pretty common complaint from owners of a lot of European makes and models. To maximise braking performance, a lot of manufacturers (including Volvo) use a relatively hard brake pad and a relatively soft brake rotor. With the result that by the time the brake pads are worn enough to be replaced, so too are the rotors (discs).
However, the general expectation is that a vehicle should be capable of covering about 60,000km before this work needs to be done, so the 30,000km on your car suggests the brakes work harder than perhaps you think they do.
As for the price, I’d assume that to be using genuine Volvo parts. Shopping around and using aftermarket replacement parts could almost halve that quote.
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The interior of the XC60 is one of effortless Scandinavian chic and there are two colours - black or blond - to choose from. Natural driftwood inlays in the dashboard and centre console are a feature highlight across the entire XC60 range. A new 11.2-inch portrait media display takes centre stage on the dash with a minimalist aesthetic flowing through to the rest of the cabin with blink-and-you'll-miss-them buttons/dials and USB-C ports. There is a distinct lack of plasticky surfaces which enhances the overall premium feel.
For mild-hybrid variants, the boot space is level with a temporary spare tyre housed underneath. It also features a 12-volt socket. There are mechanical release levers for the rear seats and a cargo cover. With all seats up, there is a maximum 613L of capacity but that can jump up to 1543L when the rear row is folded.
For PHEV variants, the boot has a tyre repair kit, 12-volt socket, mechanical release levers for the rear seats and a cargo cover. With all seats up, there is a maximum 598L of capacity but that can jump up to 1528L when the rear row is folded.
A powered tailgate is a standard feature across all XC60's.
The XC60 is available in eight colours including 'Onyx Black', 'Crystal White', 'Denim Blue', 'Bright Dusk', 'Mulberry Red', 'Vapour Grey', 'Aurora Silver' and 'Forest Lake'.
Standard accessories include powered front seats with lumbar and under-thigh supports, keyless entry and start, programmable spare key, Volvo app, Orrefors gear shifter, four USB-C ports, 12-volt socket, wireless charging pad, 11.2-inch media display, 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, coloured head-up display, Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto, digital radio, Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play Store, four-zone climate control, a powered tailgate and a 360-degree camera view as well as front/rear parking sensors.
The XC60 is offered with five seats in a 2/3 configuration. The rear row has a 60/40 split with a 'ski-port' door and a fold-down armrest.
Both front seats are powered with two-position memory function, lumbar and extendable under-thigh supports, no matter the grade level. Some features, like heat, ventilation and massage functions are available on higher grades or for additional cost.
Standard upholstery for Plus grades is a synthetic leather made from recycled materials but Ultra grades enjoy genuine Nappa leather upholstery.
The XC60 has two powertrains - the B5 Mild-Hybrid AWD is powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with a 48-volt system with an integrated starter-generator. Together they produce up to 183kW/350Nm.
The T8 Plug-in hybrid AWD is powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and a single electric motor (rear axle). Together they produce up to 340kW/709Nm.
The B5 Mild-hybrid AWD can do a 0-100km/h sprint in 6.9-seconds. Expect a top speed of around 180km/h.
The T8 Plug-in hybrid AWD can do a 0-100km/h sprint in 4.8-seconds. Top speed is electronically-limited to 180km/h.
B5 Mild-hybrid AWD variants have a claimed combined fuel use of 7.6L/100km and a 71L fuel tank, giving them a theoretical driving range of up to 934km. T8 Plug-in hybrid AWD variants have a claimed combined fuel use of 1.6L/100km and a 71L fuel tank. Real world fuel usage varies, as does driving range.