2020 Volvo XC60: Redefining Mid-size Luxury SUV Standards
The 2020 Volvo XC60, a mid-size SUV boasting 5 doors and 5 seats, introduces a fresh perspective to the Volvo lineup. This vehicle, much like its counterparts in the 90 and 60 Series, is grounded in Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), an advanced platform laying the foundation for their present-day product spectrum.
Legacy and Market Impact
With its debut, the second-generation XC60 immediately stepped into the sizable shoes of its predecessor, swiftly ascending to the status of Volvo Cars' top-selling model. Notably, the first generation XC60 enjoyed global sales nearing a million units, achieving the title of the best-selling mid-sized premium SUV across Europe.
Exterior Design and Styling
In terms of aesthetics, the XC60 confidently expresses Volvo's design philosophy. This is encapsulated by the iconic "Thor's Hammer" LED headlight design, a novel grille featuring the Volvo Iron Mark, and a pronounced display of the Volvo wordmark on the rear. Despite introducing new design elements, the XC60 successfully maintains the timeless Volvo styling traditions.
Interior Details and Craftsmanship
Entering the XC60, one is immediately met with the influence of clean, Scandinavian design, reminiscent of the touch first introduced in Volvo's 90 Series cars. This approach, combining natural materials and detailed elements across the dashboard and instrument panel, elevates the cabin experience and potentially reshapes expectations in its segment.
Connectivity and Infotainment
Via Volvo's connectivity and infotainment system, Sensus, all new Volvos guarantee a connected drive. The intuitive touch screen interface interweaves car functions, navigation, connected services, and various in-car entertainment applications like Spotify, Pandora, Baidu, and TuneIn. With its portrait orientation, the touch screen offers easy, swift access to numerous features. Moreover, the 2020 XC60 continues the trend of 90 Series cars, integrating smartphone functionality with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Powertrain Innovations
The engine that propels the XC60 is part of Volvo's Drive-E powertrain lineup, offering options that include petrol, diesel, and Volvo’s T8 Twin Engine – a petrol plug-in hybrid coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission. This Twin Engine plug-in hybrid balances the raw power of a low-emission petrol engine and an electric motor, presenting high performance with ultra-low CO2 emissions and a pure electric range exceeding 40 km.
The XC60 further expands its portfolio with Volvo's advanced kinetic energy recovery braking system, which works in tandem with the existing internal combustion engines to establish a new integrated electrified powertrain, represented by the new ‘B’ badge. Potential owners can opt for a B5 mild hybrid in petrol or diesel, a B4 diesel mild hybrid, or a B6 petrol mild hybrid. Notably, the B5 petrol variant is offered with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
Final Thoughts
The 2020 Volvo XC60 asserts itself as a potent contender within the mid-size luxury SUV segment, with a rich legacy and a forward-thinking design approach. Its commitment to connectivity, environmentally-conscious powertrain technologies, and a blend of performance and efficiency paints a promising picture for Volvo's future offerings.
