Volvo's safety and driver assist tech is the best of any car brand I've ever driven hand's down. And way less than the over-hyped competition. Best seats, too. No pain even after 8 hours.
Picking up my 2019 Bursting Blue R-Design XC60 this week. It rocks. Turning in a 2016 XC90 which also rocks. I've had it nearly 3 years and I gotta say -- other than a few electronic hiccups (first model year of the total redesign) -- it's held up well. I firmly disagree with what some say about quality of the leather seats, etc. You DO have to take care of leather. Perhaps that is why after two years the seats don't look good. Mine look brand new. It is just a fact. Volvo has upped their game. And I am in it for the long haul now. 8 month pull ahead lease with ZERO rolled into the new model. They want your loyalty. They've got it. Fabulous models coming from the Company. Don't freak abou thte Chinese ownership. They seem hands-off. It's all Sweden all the time.
hi.. how much was approx discounts offered, I'm trying to check on what Im loosing by upgrading now, if there is much I may plan to defer my plan for a year. thanks
I’m in the market looking to buy used 2018 XC60. This review was very helpful and contained a tremendous amount of information including comparisons to other vehicles I was considering. Very well done! You helped me converge to choose XC60 T6 Inscription. Thank you!
As always, Your review is excellent. I purchased a XC90 last year strongly based on your reviews. We are now looking @ XC60 for my parents. Thanks again!! Cheers
I love this car! I purchased the 2018 XC60 T5 (with all the upgraded packages) with some trepidation about the touchscreen and whether this old lady could learn how to use it. There was a bit of a learning curve, but now I love that everything is in one place. It's really not that complicated. I did purchase a "cover" for the screen from Amazon which reduces fingerprints greatly. The voice control system works well, especially for the climate settings. It drives like a dream, and the seats are oh so comfortable. Only one criticism: Ms Volvo (that's what I call the navigation system) CANNOT GET YOU ANYWHERE! We joke that it's because she only knows her way around Sweden. However, Apple Carplay is the BEST, so not to worry. I have been very happy with this purchase. I think I watched every review of Alex's prior to purchasing a car!
Something to point out is that there are differences with the T8 versus the T5/6. There are no foglights in the front for T8 and the rear passengers do not get air vents, unless they weren't shown in the video or pictures in the b-pillar somewhere. So for the t8 you are paying a significant upgrade In price for slightly less practicality than the other options, I've driven both the t8 and t6, I really felt the t6 was the sweet spot in all features, price and drive.
Great review! Thank you for the very detailed review and comparison to other competitors. The missing part of your review was the riding comfort and dynamics of the XC60 without Air Suspension.
Another great comprehensive review! You are king when it comes to in depth reviews, specifics, charts, and comparisons. Hope your channel continues to grow. Quick question... you say we in your reviews. How many people work with you on these reviews? Also, the start/off twist style button is very unique. Do you foresee any accidental shut offs because of the design?
Just a head's up to my friends . I bought this Volvo in March and was never told it has tires that CAN NOT be repaired. You see there is foam in the tire to make it a quiet ride. So when I had a slow leak in one of my tires I paid 270 dollars for a new tire. Then I had to go back and pay 600 dollars more for the tire coverage and was insulted by them saying that I should have bought the tire coverage in the first place. I told them no one ever told me that these tires were unrepairable and they said "Sorry". This is a leased car and I have it approx 5 months. Now I still have to wait 45 days for this to take affect so my car will probably sit in the driveway for most of the duration. Thanks Volvo
Definitely one of the best SUV's out there! Find for $30k or less with low miles and you're golden. My '19 T5 Prestige has all the upgrades except for BW audio. Was a lease return w/ 30k miles. Paid $28k cash for it. 👌
Alex had two consecutive "fun dates" with two different Volvos (XC40 & XC60). It's as if the Norse gods remembered he use to own Volvo wagons and are smiling upon him now. Man, that XC60 is about as fast as a Mustang!
Alex - loved your review...I own one and love it. One suggestion...can you please add “crash test results” into your reviews? Just front and side test results would do,it. Rave about 5 stars and question buying a car with a lessor rating...why expose yourself?
I visited have Volvo's dealer, I got in the XC60 and the S90, adjusted the driver's seat to my comfort, I'm slim n about 176 cm tall, I found the back seats in the XC60 a bit tight and uncomfortable especially since they're unreclinable, and the leg room honestly was barely adequate. Overall, it didn't feel fairly spacy in the back seat. I expected better from such a car category particularly in that price range. I can't imagine how it is in the mentioned competitiors with less measured leg room! The S90 however was relatively better in the back but still not up to expectations considering all that decent interior luxury. I mean a car such as Kia Cadenza had more comfortable and spacious back seats and room! I was more disappointed when I also found other important features missing from such a highly priced cars such as a power tilt/telescopic steering column and decent arm rests in both the fron and the back. Btw, both cars were Inscription T5.
As always, Alex, great review! I really was quite torn between the Audi Q5 and Volvo Inscription. I CHOSE THE VOLVO INSCRIPTION for the following reasons ... (1) the Volvo gets you HOV Lane status here in Southern California whereas the Q5 DOES NOT and that’s huge. (2) Seat Comfort. 😌. (4) Volvo came with a rebate because of plug in status so all said and done only a 2-3K difference (4) finally , I’m second generation Swedish 🇸🇪 so ....
I like the multiple angles also, but I wish that reviewers would put a camera also right on the instrument panel constantly, so that we can see how the gears are changing with speed, etc., in the tachometer -- and *especially* to see how the information in the instrument panel reads for these plug-in hybrids, when you go between all-electric, all-gas, and combined electric/gas driving.
Hey Alex thanks for including information on the base trim and base engine model because those or maybe only one tier up would be the ones I would look at. and yes, darn, looks like you helped me dethrone me Q5 as well! only thing is I don't like bright shiny dashworks, but still is more interesting than the Audi
Exquisite presentation!!! 1st question: if the battery aren't charged at all(if this is possible) how is the driving experience? 2nd question: what is the time limit for the batteries? 5 years, than changed... or...? Thanks.
I don't recall which model, but a smaller SUV (MKX or something) from Lincoln I went to look over. The first thing I did was sit in drivers seat and I immediately ruled out the vehicle. The seats sucked. Instant discomfort. I remember it was Lincoln because I was expecting very nice, much-better-than-Ford seats. I looked over at my brother and said, well, this one is a non-starter. I may go sit in their SUVs again and see if I can figure out which one it was. Maybe they fixed it (it's been about a year since that day). One thing Volvo does well is seat comfort, and have for decades. Even now I cringe looking at very flat seats in several "luxury" brands. Those Audi seats look painfully flat and stiff. I didn't find them painful (A4, Q5), but I didn't find them comfortable either. The thought of a 3 or 5 hour road trip in the Audis (and especially that Lincoln) had me wincing in pre-pain.
Because most people who would consider buying a Lincoln were probably around to hear President Lincoln give the Gettysburg address...Not sure they are even on the internets...
@@ovp66223 If you are only judging a vehicle by the seat then you shouldn't be looking at SUVs. You should be looking at a car because SUVs do not ride well.
one thing I noticed is that you lose the rear center vents in the T8 trim. (altho you still get the side ones on the B pillar.. but I am not sure if that's 3/4 zone climate
ktpinnacle i never asked, most likely age and because it looked like crap. they never wash, wax etc... it looked like the tires were down to nothing, i suspect their vehicles are neglected, the cayenne looked around 5 or so years old but the paint condition looked 10+ due to neglect. i'm the guy with the pressure washer, foam gun, buffer, etc... i detail for fun, diy the complete opposite of all my neighbors.
Over engineering comes in my mind, SC/Turbo/electric motor - good luck, Volvo. I always love Volvo design but leery of buying a Volvo, may be leasing if the price makes sense.
Can you please review the new BMW x3/m40i and compare to the Volvo? As always excellent review and for sure helps in future buying decision making. Thank you!
Giliar Perez He hasn't compared it because he hasn't reviewed one yet. He doesn't compare a vehicle to another one if he hasn't been able to review one.
Excellent, Alex. Now, I'm comparing the Q5 and this and trying to decide. Consumer Reports predicts a less then average reliability based on input from their members who have owned an earlier or similar Volvo. What is your comment on Volvo reliability? Anything to say about that? Thanks.
Is it made in China or Sweden? Also, I drove a loaner of this model from Volvo recently. Brakes were fine until I went down a steeper road at 60mph and slowed the car. There was a shuddering and uncomfortable hesitation in the brakes. Not good. Volvo said the disks could have been damaged when it was loaned previously but also said there have been brake issues with this model. This car had 2800 miles on it. Volvo does have a great warranty for brakes but just wondering what the opinion is about Volvo’s brakes.
There are lots of warped rotor threads on Volvo forums - Volvo replace a lot of them under warranty. I have warped rotors on my XC90 T8 but its a 2016 so I doubt Volvo will do anything to help. £640 (UK) for front rotors and pads, £600 for rear rotors and pads. Quite expensive.
@@Wellspicedchaffinch Thank you for your reply. I had brake pad and rotor issues with an older xC90 long ago. Went through brake pads like crazy. I have a 2011 XC70 T6 that has no brake issues or any other issues. My best Volvo yet
You get better gas mileage with a plug-in hybrid. But in my opinion, it's a disgrace for any auto manufacturer to offer a plug-in hybrid that cannot go at least 30-40 miles on all-electric *in cold weather*. The XC60 T8 will go only about 10 miles in cold weather on all-electric. Another really bad thing about these new Volvos is their tiny gas tanks, and I don't think Alex mentioned that. The driving range is very low. I think that the XC60 T6 has only about a 14- or 15-gallon tank, and the T8 is even smaller, around 11 or 12 gallons. That means a lot more visits to gas stations. My 2001 Volvo has a 21-gallon tank; I don't know why Volvo is doing this, and it's one reason why I just left my decades-long loyalty to Volvo to get another-brand car with larger gas tank.
I'm considering purchasing this crossover but I need at least 5,000lb towing capacity. Why is there a discrepancy between the European and US stated capacities if there is no difference between the vehicles?
I own an E Class and I love Volvo's latest cars. I really wanted one...they look amazing. Unfortunately, the quality of their interiors is really low even if initially they look amazing. Let me explain: the wear&tear resistance of the interior materials is just appalling, after 40k miles the leather on the seat looks like shit...so does other parts. My friend bought the new V90 and after less then 2 yrs interiors look worst than a 7 yo E Class. That's just the hard truth. I really wanted one but they have to fix this.
I agree, and the "jewelled" ignition switch and drive-mode "scrolling button" look rather absurd; the latter is actually finicky and a pain to use, not to mention in the wrong place. Any drive-mode button should be on the steering wheel. Volvo also does not give the driver enough options (you can't set auto-start/stop to stay permanently off, for example, and you can't turn off the auto-door-locking-when-car-starts-moving feature), and ironically for a company that prides itself in safety components, there is way too much in the computer screen and not enough in the buttons (such as climate controls) to distract the driver in unsafe ways.
What is the color of your friend's volvo accents, and has he chosen the accents of skin or nappa? in the configurator when buying the car, we can choose whether it is skin or nappa, and colors.
SpaghettiKillah you bringing absolutely valuable input here. I am also very interested in this vehicle but quality drawbacks push me against it. The reviewers may not see long term durability and do not look into many details like operation of the air vents at the rear....plastic....fantastic. The tailgate cover is simply shit on this vehicle. As they are the windows frames around the glass. Direct comparison between this and the old v60 cross country made me surprised and the latte one interior details looked more robust although in many areas dated visually. Said story to a lower of the Volvo brand...
Is it true that Volvo has some of the worst scores when it comes to dependability and long term durability of the mechanicals? I want to like their cars, but I keep hearing terrible things about their reliability.
This is tricky to talk about because it's a moving target, however, Volvo has for the last few years been about the same as Acura and Audi in overall reliability. Generally around average when all brands are taken together.
Most horror stories come from the early Ford era cars. Awful transmissions and crappy electronics. Their newer cars are on average like Alex said. Before 2000 Volvo's were very very reliable.
This new styling looks good as well...I owned a 2010 XC60 T6 AWD and had that for 7yrs without major reliability issues. All the minor issues (power tailgate and side mirror heating function) were all repaired under warranty. Only reason I traded it in was to get a larger 3-row CUV for my needs and partly for fear of the higher than ave cost for repairs and parts down the road. Other than that not a lot of reliability issues on the 2010 and that vehicle aged really well design-wise.
@13:12 porsche macan turbo or stelvio quadrifoglio are not your only choices for faster compact luxury suv. the grand cherokee srt will be faster as well.
Ankur Manga No one has recommended the RDX for thr last few years now. The 2019 is coming soon until then it is just lease special on thr old CR-V platform.
Hi alex , thank for the video I'v been waiting for it. There is a question that always I wondered about , why some vehicles put the battery in the back of the vehicle where ( like most of luxury and premium brands) some put it the engine bay and some put under the passanger seats ? Is there any difference between location of the battery and the performance of it or it is just for packaging porpuses? Talking about non-hybird model
Nice review as always, well detailed. There's a reason these just don't sell well enough and that's cause they are not reliable. Consumer reports always have Volvo's very low on their ranking with so many people reporting issues with their infotainment system. This isn't a segment for the elite or very rich really and most people shopping in this segment are middle class or slightly above and reliability is key. There's a reason the Lexus Nx is the leader in North America in this segment.
Yeah I get what you’re saying but complaints about infotainment are different than mechanical ones. I read that it’s because people found it complicated. Pretty sure they will offer software updates to remedy any other issues. I’d say Volvo has been out of the game for a while and are just now becoming relevant again with their new ownership. Gorgeous cars inside and out, high tech, high value quotient, and rock solid reputation in terms of safety. I’d say a renaissance is coming as long as the quality is there... only time will tell.
kamino78 yeah that’s true... that was definitely their most popular model. However in Jan 2017 Volvo pushed only 804 xc60’s compared to 5520 Lexus RX’s! Also, that was Volvo’s most popular model. I used the RX because that’s this cars equivalent rival. Not the nx. The xc40 is taking on the nx
The numbers are there for all to check and verify, it doesn't even sell as much as the Lexus NX the leader by some margin this segment talk-less of the RX the crown jewel. The Glc is the 2nd highest selling luxury suv in this segment in North America
Samson Okoro I guess I didn't realize you were only referring to the American market. In Europe it leads the premium mid-size SUV segment. I really do think you should have a global perspective when talking sales in this day and age.
In the US everyone wanted to be first showing a new model and it quickly turned to be a grotesque. Right now model year has nothing to do with the actual year.
ktpinnacle F-Pace is big enough that I'd think it'd be considered the next category up. XC60 is most similar to the Discovery Sport in the LR/Jag family. Jag doesn't have a direct competitor (yet).
Discovery Sport is a separate model from the Discovery. It's a two row model that is comparable in size to the XC60. The F-Pace is kind of a tweener on size so I see your point, but it is a noticeably bigger car than the XC60. If you want to compare to the F-Pace, I'd say overall the base XC60 comes better with standard leather, rearview camera, and better infotainment. As you move up the trims, they're pretty price competitive, with the Jag costing a bit more for comparable equipment. At the high end, the Supercharged F-Pace S 3.0L V-6 would probably outhandle the T8 Hybrid given the weight difference, but the XC60 T8 is faster in a straight line. Jag will give you slightly more cargo capacity.
I drove the T8, sure the numbers on paper are great, but that 4-cylinder sounds and feels horrible (especially rough in cold weather), absolutely inacceptable for that price point. Gearbox isn't the best either.
Mgoblagulkablong I am amazed how some people have a totally different opinion on the same car !! maybe your car was before Volvo upgraded the engine/power train in recent cars ? the early versions were a bit noisy , universally excepted, but the latest engines are much quieter by certain testers here on TH-cam !! for example look here........go to 12.40 in the video !..... th-cam.com/video/kLzxSTR8t7s/w-d-xo.html Plus on this video the XC60 T8 was given a "A" for cabin noise !! this may confirm what I said above !!
lol, the video of an owner, you can't be serious, of course according to the owner the new car they just bought is always the best, why else would they just have spent their money on it. I drove the newest version. How about you, have you driven it? And I am not saying it is noisy, sure the db number is low, but what you hear sounds bad and in cold weather there are vibrations.
So the XC60 has a smaller cargo area than a subcompact Honda HR-V? Huh, so much for Volvo's ability to carry cargo. That used to be one of their hallmarks.
Alex states in his roller bag capacity the XC60 takes 5 suitcases and has 22 cu ft of cargo space. While his video for the HRV predates the suitcase test, Honda lists the cargo capacity at 24.3 cu ft. Remember, those are seats up.
Yes that is right, but in those days they only had a three car model line-up, style was not a real consideration, a box on wheels has long gone in Europe, but in the States it still sells well, in the guise of a Lincoln Navigator !!! etc.
The numbers are misleading. The cargo (with second row seats up) has been reduced due to those, second row, seats being re-located further back to give more leg room. So, if you fold down the rear seats you regain the cargo space and becomes better then some in its segment.
Lol, ya know, I just watched and shopped the X3 and it just got crossed off my list for the same reason this is going off it, that darn piano black trim, it looks cheap and is the bane of a car’s existence. Later Volvo…
I am leery of this stupid touchscreen in the Volvo. One thing I know about touch screens is they tend to slow down to molasses slow in near freezing or sub-freezing weather. That would be frustrating, having things that should take 5 seconds to set with buttons or switches taking 30 or 60 seconds waiting for screen to respond or even sense that I have been pressing or swiping 10 times, only to jump a few screens (slowly) and really pissing me off. I could live with it if the more immediate functions weren't on this thing (a few more stand-alone buttons or knobs), but I can see a sluggish screen being a daily annoyance from December -> February at the very least. Can anyone verify if a new model Volvo, left in the cold temps, has a decently responsive touch screen? Does it sense touches or swipes immediately or do you have to touch/press/swipe several times to get it to recognize when cold?
9:13 that seat edge looks like it's made of wrinkled and torn paper. Not a luxury look, and this is a NEW car, how will that look after a couple years? 9:30 not sure if that's a shadow or a damage or a design on the speaker grill but it looks like a ripple and again not what I want to see in a "luxury" car.
I thought the Lexus RX was a competitor rather than the NX? When I option a XC60 up the way I would purchase it, I am looking at RX money. Am I missing something?
In terms of size class, it's more similar to the NX, and the base XC60 comes much better equipped than a base NX (which does not have leather and has a downgraded infotainment setup to start). You're correct that an optioned up XC60 would be RX money, but the same could be said of all brands (i.e., an optioned up smaller model will be a similar price to a base larger model. An optioned up NX is base XC90 money. An optioned up ) The thing I like about Volvo's line compared to some of its competitors is that there are options to get the compact models to have similar equipment (powertrains, infotainment, and interior configurations) levels to the larger models, without the added size that some buyers don't need. While all car pricing is highly option-dependent, it is even more important to consider with luxury brands, as options can swing the price $20-$30K. The model reviewed here is the top trim of the most expensive engine configuration, with a lot of options added.
Maybe, depending on your comparison metrics. The Lexus RX is significantly longer, so is not as "compact" as others in the segment. If you are going on mostly price instead, you have a point.
To give you an idea of what I'm talking about, while an NX starts at $36,000, once you add AWD ($1,500 option), upgrade to leather (Requires addition of $4500 package and an upgrade to the Nav and infotainment for $1,800) you're up to $45,410. Building a similarly featured XC60 requires a lot less customization, as leather and AWD are standard, and the standard infotainment includes nav through apple carplay/android auto. To try to be fair, I included some things which are available as individual options on the XC60 (native Navigation at $1400, and heated seats at $500), which are included in Lexus's required packages to get leather, and the XC60 Momentum comes out to an actually cheaper $44,490. So yes, if you want a stock, FWD, base Lexus with no options, it will be cheaper than its competitors for similarly sized models. But if you want them to have the same equipment level as the rest of their class, Lexus is just as expensive as everyone else, and the options add up quickly.
Matt Jones The Buick Envision Prem l looks like a bargain discounted to $29K from $43K MSRP. Standard 2.0T, Twin clutch AWD with Active torque vectoring (not brake based like Lexus NX and RX ) four heated seat and steering, vented front seats, rear cross traffic alert, hands free lift gate. ..
It's not a bad car, but it's a step down from the rest of these in terms of level of luxury (isolation, quality of materials, ride quality, technology, etc.) as well as overall fit and finish. Put another way, it's more of a gussied up Chevy than a slightly downgraded Cadillac.
Volvo's safety and driver assist tech is the best of any car brand I've ever driven hand's down. And way less than the over-hyped competition. Best seats, too. No pain even after 8 hours.
Benjamin Vogt I don't know if good or best is good enough when the Uber Volvo self driving car kills a wayward pedestrian .
Norm T: it was not using Volvo safety systems when it did, so that's why.
Norm T that fucker jumped into the traffic no one even god could save him
@@normt5463 sup raging scrub
@@anhedonic2252 Supposedly not in service when Volvo was being navigated.
Absolutely the most detailed and informative reviews on TH-cam. Great work!
Picking up my 2019 Bursting Blue R-Design XC60 this week. It rocks. Turning in a 2016 XC90 which also rocks. I've had it nearly 3 years and I gotta say -- other than a few electronic hiccups (first model year of the total redesign) -- it's held up well. I firmly disagree with what some say about quality of the leather seats, etc. You DO have to take care of leather. Perhaps that is why after two years the seats don't look good. Mine look brand new. It is just a fact. Volvo has upped their game. And I am in it for the long haul now. 8 month pull ahead lease with ZERO rolled into the new model. They want your loyalty. They've got it. Fabulous models coming from the Company. Don't freak abou thte Chinese ownership. They seem hands-off. It's all Sweden all the time.
hi.. how much was approx discounts offered, I'm trying to check on what Im loosing by upgrading now, if there is much I may plan to defer my plan for a year. thanks
I’m in the market looking to buy used 2018 XC60. This review was very helpful and contained a tremendous amount of information including comparisons to other vehicles I was considering. Very well done! You helped me converge to choose XC60 T6 Inscription. Thank you!
As always, Your review is excellent. I purchased a XC90 last year strongly based on your reviews. We are now looking @ XC60 for my parents. Thanks again!! Cheers
I love this car! I purchased the 2018 XC60 T5 (with all the upgraded packages) with some trepidation about the touchscreen and whether this old lady could learn how to use it. There was a bit of a learning curve, but now I love that everything is in one place. It's really not that complicated. I did purchase a "cover" for the screen from Amazon which reduces fingerprints greatly. The voice control system works well, especially for the climate settings. It drives like a dream, and the seats are oh so comfortable. Only one criticism: Ms Volvo (that's what I call the navigation system) CANNOT GET YOU ANYWHERE! We joke that it's because she only knows her way around Sweden. However, Apple Carplay is the BEST, so not to worry. I have been very happy with this purchase. I think I watched every review of Alex's prior to purchasing a car!
Something to point out is that there are differences with the T8 versus the T5/6. There are no foglights in the front for T8 and the rear passengers do not get air vents, unless they weren't shown in the video or pictures in the b-pillar somewhere. So for the t8 you are paying a significant upgrade In price for slightly less practicality than the other options, I've driven both the t8 and t6, I really felt the t6 was the sweet spot in all features, price and drive.
Oh yea?
Great review! Thank you for the very detailed review and comparison to other competitors. The missing part of your review was the riding comfort and dynamics of the XC60 without Air Suspension.
Keep up the good work Alex! Very much appreciate the comparison-analysis near the end. Thanks!
Fantastic job. Once I watch your review I’ve pretty much made up my mind about a car.
Another great comprehensive review! You are king when it comes to in depth reviews, specifics, charts, and comparisons. Hope your channel continues to grow. Quick question... you say we in your reviews. How many people work with you on these reviews?
Also, the start/off twist style button is very unique. Do you foresee any accidental shut offs because of the design?
As a Volvo guy: I'd buy this someday Alex.
Like always, awesome review
17:02 "Shoot! A car is approaching from the other direction! Abort recording! Abort recording!!"
Alex loves himself some Volvo
Just a head's up to my friends . I bought this Volvo in March and was never told it has tires that CAN NOT be repaired. You see there is foam in the tire to make it a quiet ride. So when I had a slow leak in one of my tires I paid 270 dollars for a new tire. Then I had to go back and pay 600 dollars more for the tire coverage and was insulted by them saying that I should have bought the tire coverage in the first place. I told them no one ever told me that these tires were unrepairable and they said "Sorry". This is a leased car and I have it approx 5 months. Now I still have to wait 45 days for this to take affect so my car will probably sit in the driveway for most of the duration. Thanks Volvo
God damn you’re a good reviewer!
Pro trick : you can watch series on flixzone. Me and my gf have been using them for watching lots of of movies recently.
@Zechariah Junior definitely, I have been watching on flixzone} for months myself =)
@Zechariah Junior yup, have been using Flixzone} for years myself :D
Definitely one of the best SUV's out there! Find for $30k or less with low miles and you're golden. My '19 T5 Prestige has all the upgrades except for BW audio. Was a lease return w/ 30k miles. Paid $28k cash for it. 👌
Alex is absolute best auto reviewer on TH-cam. Extremely well presented. Do you know good resource for cost of ownership or reliability data?
Alex had two consecutive "fun dates" with two different Volvos (XC40 & XC60). It's as if the Norse gods remembered he use to own Volvo wagons and are smiling upon him now. Man, that XC60 is about as fast as a Mustang!
i can imagine how good this vehicle is. i see your face glowing few times while driving...nice vid.
thank you for such professional review
Alex - loved your review...I own one and love it. One suggestion...can you please add “crash test results” into your reviews? Just front and side test results would do,it. Rave about 5 stars and question buying a car with a lessor rating...why expose yourself?
Alex: love your reviews and need you to review the 2019 V60 wagon . It looks amazing.
Like always, awesome review,my next car will rilay on your review
Manual adjusting steering is faster to adjust and last longer than an electric ones.
So it is better in my opinion.
Being always the only driver, I have never feel the need of power seat and let alone steering.
I visited have Volvo's dealer, I got in the XC60 and the S90, adjusted the driver's seat to my comfort, I'm slim n about 176 cm tall, I found the back seats in the XC60 a bit tight and uncomfortable especially since they're unreclinable, and the leg room honestly was barely adequate. Overall, it didn't feel fairly spacy in the back seat. I expected better from such a car category particularly in that price range. I can't imagine how it is in the mentioned competitiors with less measured leg room! The S90 however was relatively better in the back but still not up to expectations considering all that decent interior luxury. I mean a car such as Kia Cadenza had more comfortable and spacious back seats and room! I was more disappointed when I also found other important features missing from such a highly priced cars such as a power tilt/telescopic steering column and decent arm rests in both the fron and the back. Btw, both cars were Inscription T5.
As always, Alex, great review! I really was quite torn between the Audi Q5 and Volvo Inscription. I CHOSE THE VOLVO INSCRIPTION for the following reasons ... (1) the Volvo gets you HOV Lane status here in Southern California whereas the Q5 DOES NOT and that’s huge. (2) Seat Comfort. 😌. (4) Volvo came with a rebate because of plug in status so all said and done only a 2-3K difference (4) finally , I’m second generation Swedish 🇸🇪 so ....
Haha, those cameras and the angles of them made me feel like you were driving in the ditch. Awesome review as usual.
I like the multiple angles also, but I wish that reviewers would put a camera also right on the instrument panel constantly, so that we can see how the gears are changing with speed, etc., in the tachometer -- and *especially* to see how the information in the instrument panel reads for these plug-in hybrids, when you go between all-electric, all-gas, and combined electric/gas driving.
Can't wait for your XC40 review....in 6 months....
Lucian can’t wait for all new 2019 Acura RDX this summer.
Jeff 70..../puke
Reposted?
Excellent review!
Volvo killing it! Can;t wait for the new V60/S60
Great review as always Alex! I’m curious how you’d compare it to the 2018 X3
Can't wait for the BMW X3 M40i review.
Your logo's white letters are off center to the left. Is this by design?
Good review, Alex. Found some typos in the “Takeaway section”.
Taekwondo action
Alex how to you compare the XC60 with the BMW X3 and Porsche Macan?
Hey Alex thanks for including information on the base trim and base engine model because those or maybe only one tier up would be the ones I would look at. and yes, darn, looks like you helped me dethrone me Q5 as well! only thing is I don't like bright shiny dashworks, but still is more interesting than the Audi
Exquisite presentation!!!
1st question: if the battery aren't charged at all(if this is possible) how is the driving experience?
2nd question: what is the time limit for the batteries? 5 years, than changed... or...?
Thanks.
I don't understand why you don't compare the cars to Lincoln brand on size and pros&cons. Please don't miss Lincoln.
because majority of the population doesn't care about American luxury brand.
I don't recall which model, but a smaller SUV (MKX or something) from Lincoln I went to look over. The first thing I did was sit in drivers seat and I immediately ruled out the vehicle. The seats sucked. Instant discomfort. I remember it was Lincoln because I was expecting very nice, much-better-than-Ford seats. I looked over at my brother and said, well, this one is a non-starter. I may go sit in their SUVs again and see if I can figure out which one it was. Maybe they fixed it (it's been about a year since that day). One thing Volvo does well is seat comfort, and have for decades. Even now I cringe looking at very flat seats in several "luxury" brands. Those Audi seats look painfully flat and stiff. I didn't find them painful (A4, Q5), but I didn't find them comfortable either. The thought of a 3 or 5 hour road trip in the Audis (and especially that Lincoln) had me wincing in pre-pain.
Because most people who would consider buying a Lincoln were probably around to hear President Lincoln give the Gettysburg address...Not sure they are even on the internets...
@@ovp66223 If you are only judging a vehicle by the seat then you shouldn't be looking at SUVs. You should be looking at a car because SUVs do not ride well.
I just hope Alex ignore u... sorry... I don’t see Lincoln or Buick as luxury...
one thing I noticed is that you lose the rear center vents in the T8 trim. (altho you still get the side ones on the B pillar.. but I am not sure if that's 3/4 zone climate
no way its impossible ....stelvio forever!
The xc60 in China is larger than the model in other countries by around 7 cm. They expand the rear row space. More leg room.
Why
Antwon Walls i don’t know why. Maybe they like bigger car?
my neighbor recently traded in their Cayenne for this or the bigger volvo suv so clearly the company did something right with the lineup.
Why did the get rid of the Cayenne?
ktpinnacle
i never asked, most likely age and because it looked like crap. they never wash, wax etc... it looked like the tires were down to nothing, i suspect their vehicles are neglected, the cayenne looked around 5 or so years old but the paint condition looked 10+ due to neglect. i'm the guy with the pressure washer, foam gun, buffer, etc... i detail for fun, diy the complete opposite of all my neighbors.
Got it. A shame that a 5 year old vehicle looks like it's ready to bite the dust.
Keyless push button is not even standard on base model? Even with the plug in ev? That is a feature in under 20k cars since many years ago
Over engineering comes in my mind, SC/Turbo/electric motor - good luck, Volvo. I always love Volvo design but leery of buying a Volvo, may be leasing if the price makes sense.
I wish Volvo would make a mini SUV
What about the XC40?
Safe, practical and luxurious
With its new shifter, Volvo snatched the horrible shifter award from Acura.
That shifter is unique to the T8 I think. I do not have that in my T5, nor was it in the T6 which I test drove.
Can you please review the new BMW x3/m40i and compare to the Volvo? As always excellent review and for sure helps in future buying decision making. Thank you!
In terms of AWD driving dynamic, how do the two compare between this and the new Infiniti QX50? Thanks.
Hi alex can you talk about the crash absorbtivity of this vehicle bec its top notch
Odd, no 2018 BMW X3 comparisons? All reviews out there are speaking highly of the BMW.
Giliar Perez I wondered the same thing. Also, the X3 M40i is quicker so you don’t need to get a Porsche as Alex suggested.
Giliar Perez he has a bias towards Volvo. Its his pick in every category one exists. I think Volvo is good but not great
Giliar Perez He hasn't compared it because he hasn't reviewed one yet. He doesn't compare a vehicle to another one if he hasn't been able to review one.
tc27758 I would agree but he hanst been able to test the QX50 fully either
The size and feature content alone including discounted price make thr Buick Envision Prem l for $29K the bargain of this group.
Excellent, Alex. Now, I'm comparing the Q5 and this and trying to decide. Consumer Reports predicts a less then average reliability based on input from their members who have owned an earlier or similar Volvo. What is your comment on Volvo reliability? Anything to say about that? Thanks.
Is it made in China or Sweden? Also, I drove a loaner of this model from Volvo recently. Brakes were fine until I went down a steeper road at 60mph and slowed the car. There was a shuddering and uncomfortable hesitation in the brakes. Not good. Volvo said the disks could have been damaged when it was loaned previously but also said there have been brake issues with this model. This car had 2800 miles on it. Volvo does have a great warranty for brakes but just wondering what the opinion is about Volvo’s brakes.
There are lots of warped rotor threads on Volvo forums - Volvo replace a lot of them under warranty. I have warped rotors on my XC90 T8 but its a 2016 so I doubt Volvo will do anything to help. £640 (UK) for front rotors and pads, £600 for rear rotors and pads. Quite expensive.
@@Wellspicedchaffinch Thank you for your reply. I had brake pad and rotor issues with an older xC90 long ago. Went through brake pads like crazy. I have a 2011 XC70 T6 that has no brake issues or any other issues. My best Volvo yet
Would you say that buying t6 should be a better deal than t8? That hybrid thing doesn't do much until Volvo switches to a full EV
You get better gas mileage with a plug-in hybrid. But in my opinion, it's a disgrace for any auto manufacturer to offer a plug-in hybrid that cannot go at least 30-40 miles on all-electric *in cold weather*. The XC60 T8 will go only about 10 miles in cold weather on all-electric. Another really bad thing about these new Volvos is their tiny gas tanks, and I don't think Alex mentioned that. The driving range is very low. I think that the XC60 T6 has only about a 14- or 15-gallon tank, and the T8 is even smaller, around 11 or 12 gallons. That means a lot more visits to gas stations. My 2001 Volvo has a 21-gallon tank; I don't know why Volvo is doing this, and it's one reason why I just left my decades-long loyalty to Volvo to get another-brand car with larger gas tank.
Awesome review 👍🏼 just title on this page you put 2019 Volvo it a 2018.
I wonder why the X90 have the shorter vents next to the center console than all the rest of the vehicles.
edit: checked the spec, it's there. another note thoguh, in 2021, this car now costs nearly 70k. the price of these have gona haywire for some reason
You mentioned massage on the xc60. How would you rate the massage vs the q5 & Lincoln mkx?
Considerably better than the MKX. At this point the Q5 does not offer this feature in the USA. It is offered in Europe and other markets however,.
Man...I wish this was my job. (reviewing cars)
No fog lights?
Is the title a typo? Title says 2019 volvo but the description says 2018?
It is a typo, I just corrected it
Alex, please review the new BMW X3 M40i
I'm with you Em Gee. 18 BMW X3 M40i with Ultimate Package (fully loaded).
I would like to see comparisons to the Genisis g90 included with some of these.
For some of us leather is a negative and *not* a positive...
I'm considering purchasing this crossover but I need at least 5,000lb towing capacity. Why is there a discrepancy between the European and US stated capacities if there is no difference between the vehicles?
Since few people tow Volvo likely decided to reduce the number so there was a greater safety margin.
I own an E Class and I love Volvo's latest cars.
I really wanted one...they look amazing. Unfortunately, the quality of their interiors is really low even if initially they look amazing.
Let me explain: the wear&tear resistance of the interior materials is just appalling, after 40k miles the leather on the seat looks like shit...so does other parts. My friend bought the new V90 and after less then 2 yrs interiors look worst than a 7 yo E Class. That's just the hard truth. I really wanted one but they have to fix this.
I agree, and the "jewelled" ignition switch and drive-mode "scrolling button" look rather absurd; the latter is actually finicky and a pain to use, not to mention in the wrong place. Any drive-mode button should be on the steering wheel. Volvo also does not give the driver enough options (you can't set auto-start/stop to stay permanently off, for example, and you can't turn off the auto-door-locking-when-car-starts-moving feature), and ironically for a company that prides itself in safety components, there is way too much in the computer screen and not enough in the buttons (such as climate controls) to distract the driver in unsafe ways.
What is the color of your friend's volvo accents, and has he chosen the accents of skin or nappa? in the configurator when buying the car, we can choose whether it is skin or nappa, and colors.
I disagree based on a Volvo we own...
SpaghettiKillah you bringing absolutely valuable input here. I am also very interested in this vehicle but quality drawbacks push me against it. The reviewers may not see long term durability and do not look into many details like operation of the air vents at the rear....plastic....fantastic.
The tailgate cover is simply shit on this vehicle. As they are the windows frames around the glass.
Direct comparison between this and the old v60 cross country made me surprised and the latte one interior details looked more robust although in many areas dated visually.
Said story to a lower of the Volvo brand...
Alex, the review ranking of the car is straightly comparing the result of the tested vesicles without factor in the brand/model reliability, correct?
Definetly
Is it true that Volvo has some of the worst scores when it comes to dependability and long term durability of the mechanicals? I want to like their cars, but I keep hearing terrible things about their reliability.
This is tricky to talk about because it's a moving target, however, Volvo has for the last few years been about the same as Acura and Audi in overall reliability. Generally around average when all brands are taken together.
This is my one concern with the Volvos. Pending a test drive, I have my heart set on the XC40. I'll likely lease it though.
Most horror stories come from the early Ford era cars. Awful transmissions and crappy electronics. Their newer cars are on average like Alex said. Before 2000 Volvo's were very very reliable.
This new styling looks good as well...I owned a 2010 XC60 T6 AWD and had that for 7yrs without major reliability issues. All the minor issues (power tailgate and side mirror heating function) were all repaired under warranty. Only reason I traded it in was to get a larger 3-row CUV for my needs and partly for fear of the higher than ave cost for repairs and parts down the road. Other than that not a lot of reliability issues on the 2010 and that vehicle aged really well design-wise.
Dash277 , I don't know about the xc40 though because those humongous dark c -pillars, for fashion, make feel a little deep dark confining in the back
@13:12 porsche macan turbo or stelvio quadrifoglio are not your only choices for faster compact luxury suv. the grand cherokee srt will be faster as well.
My 17 rdx is just as fast as well
What about Acura RDX?
Ankur Manga No one has recommended the RDX for thr last few years now. The 2019 is coming soon until then it is just lease special on thr old CR-V platform.
Hi alex , thank for the video I'v been waiting for it.
There is a question that always I wondered about , why some vehicles put the battery in the back of the vehicle where ( like most of luxury and premium brands) some put it the engine bay and some put under the passanger seats ? Is there any difference between location of the battery and the performance of it or it is just for packaging porpuses? Talking about non-hybird model
I've never seen batteries in the engine compartment.
Nice review as always, well detailed. There's a reason these just don't sell well enough and that's cause they are not reliable. Consumer reports always have Volvo's very low on their ranking with so many people reporting issues with their infotainment system. This isn't a segment for the elite or very rich really and most people shopping in this segment are middle class or slightly above and reliability is key. There's a reason the Lexus Nx is the leader in North America in this segment.
Yeah I get what you’re saying but complaints about infotainment are different than mechanical ones. I read that it’s because people found it complicated. Pretty sure they will offer software updates to remedy any other issues. I’d say Volvo has been out of the game for a while and are just now becoming relevant again with their new ownership. Gorgeous cars inside and out, high tech, high value quotient, and rock solid reputation in terms of safety. I’d say a renaissance is coming as long as the quality is there... only time will tell.
Samson Okoro The old XC60 sold very well, this should do even better. I don't really know what you're talking about.
kamino78 yeah that’s true... that was definitely their most popular model. However in Jan 2017 Volvo pushed only 804 xc60’s compared to 5520 Lexus RX’s! Also, that was Volvo’s most popular model. I used the RX because that’s this cars equivalent rival. Not the nx. The xc40 is taking on the nx
The numbers are there for all to check and verify, it doesn't even sell as much as the Lexus NX the leader by some margin this segment talk-less of the RX the crown jewel. The Glc is the 2nd highest selling luxury suv in this segment in North America
Samson Okoro I guess I didn't realize you were only referring to the American market. In Europe it leads the premium mid-size SUV segment. I really do think you should have a global perspective when talking sales in this day and age.
what about new 2018 bmw x3?
邬涵俊 Stick with the Buick Envision!
Do Tesla Model 3 with updated suspension!
We jumping to 2019s that quick? I thought this model is a 2018?
yiyangcheng it a 2018 , nothing online about 2019 XC60 yet.
I know that but the title says 2019???
In the US everyone wanted to be first showing a new model and it quickly turned to be a grotesque. Right now model year has nothing to do with the actual year.
Awesome review as always. Wondering if you could do a review on Lexus RX350 L version
I think I would still take a Lexus NX just for reliability reasons...
I love me some Volvo, of course after they upgrade that software. That's hella slow.
You go girl!!!:)
2:00 I don't know about this assistance right into a semi truck I'm good
Any comparison to the F-Pace?
ktpinnacle F-Pace is big enough that I'd think it'd be considered the next category up. XC60 is most similar to the Discovery Sport in the LR/Jag family. Jag doesn't have a direct competitor (yet).
It's a sportier two-seater, like the Stelvio. And Alex has it clumped with the Q5 and the GLC on size. Discovery is a three-seater.
Discovery Sport is a separate model from the Discovery. It's a two row model that is comparable in size to the XC60. The F-Pace is kind of a tweener on size so I see your point, but it is a noticeably bigger car than the XC60. If you want to compare to the F-Pace, I'd say overall the base XC60 comes better with standard leather, rearview camera, and better infotainment. As you move up the trims, they're pretty price competitive, with the Jag costing a bit more for comparable equipment. At the high end, the Supercharged F-Pace S 3.0L V-6 would probably outhandle the T8 Hybrid given the weight difference, but the XC60 T8 is faster in a straight line. Jag will give you slightly more cargo capacity.
Thanks! And what did you do with Alex?!?
Completely different character, F-Pase is much sportier to drive, XC60 is much more comfy, luxurious and has much higher quality cabin.
I drove the T8, sure the numbers on paper are great, but that 4-cylinder sounds and feels horrible (especially rough in cold weather), absolutely inacceptable for that price point. Gearbox isn't the best either.
Mgoblagulkablong
I am amazed how some people have a totally different opinion on the same car !! maybe your car was before Volvo upgraded the engine/power train in recent cars ? the early versions were a bit noisy , universally excepted, but the latest engines are much quieter by certain testers here on TH-cam !! for example look here........go to 12.40 in the video !.....
th-cam.com/video/kLzxSTR8t7s/w-d-xo.html
Plus on this video the XC60 T8 was given a "A" for cabin noise !! this may confirm what I said above !!
lol, the video of an owner, you can't be serious, of course according to the owner the new car they just bought is always the best, why else would they just have spent their money on it.
I drove the newest version.
How about you, have you driven it?
And I am not saying it is noisy, sure the db number is low, but what you hear sounds bad and in cold weather there are vibrations.
So the XC60 has a smaller cargo area than a subcompact Honda HR-V? Huh, so much for Volvo's ability to carry cargo. That used to be one of their hallmarks.
Alex states in his roller bag capacity the XC60 takes 5 suitcases and has 22 cu ft of cargo space. While his video for the HRV predates the suitcase test, Honda lists the cargo capacity at 24.3 cu ft. Remember, those are seats up.
Yes that is right, but in those days they only had a three car model line-up, style was not a real consideration, a box on wheels has long gone in Europe, but in the States it still sells well, in the guise of a Lincoln Navigator !!! etc.
The numbers are misleading.
The cargo (with second row seats up) has been reduced due to those, second row, seats being re-located further back to give more leg room. So, if you fold down the rear seats you regain the cargo space and becomes better then some in its segment.
If you need a radar system to see moose, you shouldn’t be driving. 😄😄😄
Hahaha funny 0 vote
Alex, FYI a typo @ 20:31 - "satey" systems
David Cuccia Also “ designed”
Did he say "shnazzy"??
The two eletric engines is a bit worrisome. Lots can and will go wrong.
This is too informational for me haha
How would you compare to the Mitsubishi Outlander Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicle PHEV?
Lol, ya know, I just watched and shopped the X3 and it just got crossed off my list for the same reason this is going off it, that darn piano black trim, it looks cheap and is the bane of a car’s existence. Later Volvo…
I am leery of this stupid touchscreen in the Volvo. One thing I know about touch screens is they tend to slow down to molasses slow in near freezing or sub-freezing weather. That would be frustrating, having things that should take 5 seconds to set with buttons or switches taking 30 or 60 seconds waiting for screen to respond or even sense that I have been pressing or swiping 10 times, only to jump a few screens (slowly) and really pissing me off. I could live with it if the more immediate functions weren't on this thing (a few more stand-alone buttons or knobs), but I can see a sluggish screen being a daily annoyance from December -> February at the very least.
Can anyone verify if a new model Volvo, left in the cold temps, has a decently responsive touch screen? Does it sense touches or swipes immediately or do you have to touch/press/swipe several times to get it to recognize when cold?
9:13 that seat edge looks like it's made of wrinkled and torn paper. Not a luxury look, and this is a NEW car, how will that look after a couple years?
9:30 not sure if that's a shadow or a damage or a design on the speaker grill but it looks like a ripple and again not what I want to see in a "luxury" car.
Is this a practical car for 3 kids? Two on booster seats, 1 in a forward facing child seat.
Stop calling car profiles "sexy."
I thought the Lexus RX was a competitor rather than the NX? When I option a XC60 up the way I would purchase it, I am looking at RX money. Am I missing something?
In terms of size class, it's more similar to the NX, and the base XC60 comes much better equipped than a base NX (which does not have leather and has a downgraded infotainment setup to start). You're correct that an optioned up XC60 would be RX money, but the same could be said of all brands (i.e., an optioned up smaller model will be a similar price to a base larger model. An optioned up NX is base XC90 money. An optioned up ) The thing I like about Volvo's line compared to some of its competitors is that there are options to get the compact models to have similar equipment (powertrains, infotainment, and interior configurations) levels to the larger models, without the added size that some buyers don't need. While all car pricing is highly option-dependent, it is even more important to consider with luxury brands, as options can swing the price $20-$30K. The model reviewed here is the top trim of the most expensive engine configuration, with a lot of options added.
Maybe, depending on your comparison metrics. The Lexus RX is significantly longer, so is not as "compact" as others in the segment. If you are going on mostly price instead, you have a point.
To give you an idea of what I'm talking about, while an NX starts at $36,000, once you add AWD ($1,500 option), upgrade to leather (Requires addition of $4500 package and an upgrade to the Nav and infotainment for $1,800) you're up to $45,410. Building a similarly featured XC60 requires a lot less customization, as leather and AWD are standard, and the standard infotainment includes nav through apple carplay/android auto. To try to be fair, I included some things which are available as individual options on the XC60 (native Navigation at $1400, and heated seats at $500), which are included in Lexus's required packages to get leather, and the XC60 Momentum comes out to an actually cheaper $44,490.
So yes, if you want a stock, FWD, base Lexus with no options, it will be cheaper than its competitors for similarly sized models. But if you want them to have the same equipment level as the rest of their class, Lexus is just as expensive as everyone else, and the options add up quickly.
Matt Jones The Buick Envision Prem l looks like a bargain discounted to $29K from $43K MSRP. Standard 2.0T, Twin clutch AWD with Active torque vectoring (not brake based like Lexus NX and RX ) four heated seat and steering, vented front seats, rear cross traffic alert, hands free lift gate. ..
It's not a bad car, but it's a step down from the rest of these in terms of level of luxury (isolation, quality of materials, ride quality, technology, etc.) as well as overall fit and finish. Put another way, it's more of a gussied up Chevy than a slightly downgraded Cadillac.
I warn everyvody, do not get the Volvo Xc60 with air suspensions because they are problematic.
2019? nope
Thanks for that, that was a typo since we just did the 2019 XC40. We corrected the title. That said, no changes are expected for 2019
There will be changes but just small ones.