2021 Volvo XC60 vs 2022 Volvo XC60

The 2021 Volvo XC60, though no longer purely Swedish, benefited greatly from its acquisition by Geely Holding Group. This transition allowed Volvo to shed its Ford-era constraints and emerge as a near-luxury brand with a focus on safety and innovation. The XC60, positioned between the compact XC40 and the larger XC90, was built on Volvo’s SPA platform, shared with other 60-series and 90-series vehicles. Its elegant, tailored design featured short overhangs, an upright grille with the iconic iron mark logo, and Thor’s hammer-shaped LED daytime running lights. The interior boasted clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene atmosphere, with a 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen and meticulously designed HVAC vents.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 saw subtle styling updates, including a new front fascia with “air blades” for a sportier look, a rear bumper that hid the tailpipes, and new wheel designs. The front grille was reworked to house sensors for driver-assist systems behind a heated Volvo logo. The interior remained largely unchanged, retaining its clean design and portrait-oriented touchscreen. However, a new digital instrument cluster was introduced. The XC60 Inscription trim level featured Nappa leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, while the R-Design trim added aluminum mesh speaker grilles and textured seats for a bit of flair.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, all featuring a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 models, available in FWD or AWD, produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 models, with AWD only, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque thanks to a turbocharger and supercharger. The T8 models, plug-in hybrids, combined an 87-hp electric motor with the gasoline engine for a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Polestar Engineered variant pushed these figures to 415 hp and 472 lb-ft. The XC60 T8 PHEV could drive up to 19 miles on electric power alone and achieved 27 mpg combined, or 57 MPGe in electric-only mode. The XC60’s AWD system and torque vectoring provided a solid, secure, and smooth driving experience, making it an excellent road-trip car.

For 2022, Volvo introduced new B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains, replacing the T5 and T6. Both combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with a 48-volt electrical system and integrated starter generator, adding 13 hp in short bursts. The B5 produced 258 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, while the B6 delivered 295 hp and 310 lb-ft. Both used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the B5 available in FWD or AWD and the B6 in AWD only. The B5 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds (6.6 with FWD), and the B6 in 5.9 seconds. The XC60 Recharge plug-in hybrid retained the 2.0-liter engine, turbocharger, supercharger, and rear electric motor, producing 400 hp and 472 lb-ft, with a 0-60 mph time of 5 seconds. The Polestar Engineered variant increased output to 415 hp and 494 lb-ft, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed for comfort, style, and safety. The front seats were highly adjustable and heated, making them ideal for cold climates. The heating system, rear glass heater, windshield defroster, washer, and wipers performed exceptionally well in sub-freezing temperatures. The cabin featured smart storage solutions and intuitive controls, with 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 63.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The XC60 could tow up to 3,500 pounds.

The 2022 XC60 maintained the same interior space, with front-seat headroom above average but rear-seat headroom tied with the Audi Q5 for the lowest in the segment. Legroom was average. Mild-hybrid models offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 49.8 cubic feet with them down. Plug-in hybrid models had slightly less cargo space, at 21.1 and 49.3 cubic feet, respectively. The XC60 provided a commanding driving position with good visibility, aided by large exterior mirrors.

The 2021 XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a 9-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. The system, which used swipe, pinch, and pull gestures, could be intuitive for frequent iPad users but had a learning curve. It offered Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot with a three-month trial. The Volvo On Call app provided vehicle-specific functions like remote locking and starting. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system was exceptional.

The 2022 XC60 received a tech overhaul with a 9-inch touchscreen running the Android Automotive operating system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, and a WiFi hotspot. Android-specific features included Google Assistant for voice control, Google Maps for navigation, and access to third-party apps via the Google Play Store. The system supported over-the-air updates and promised full iPhone compatibility. The digital instrument cluster could display a map or a “Calm” setting to minimize distractions.

The 2021 XC60 was awarded a Top Safety Pick+ rating by the IIHS and received five-star ratings from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, collision avoidance, and various mitigation systems. The Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving system was available, integrating adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The XC60’s top speed was limited to 112 mph for safety.

The 2022 XC60 had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the 2021 model’s ratings were expected to carry over. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. New features for 2022 included Ready to Drive Notification and Emergency Stop Assist. The Pilot Assist system was available, combining adaptive cruise control and automated lane centering.