2023 Volvo XC90 vs 2023 Volvo XC60

When considering the 2023 Volvo XC60, buyers were given a range of powertrain options. The XC60 B5 came equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine boasting 48-volt mild-hybrid technology. Meanwhile, the XC60 B6 offered a more complex setup with a turbocharged, supercharged, and mild-hybrid engine, both available with standard all-wheel drive (AWD).

For those seeking an upgrade, the XC60 Recharge featured a turbocharged plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrain. This model utilized a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine to drive the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, while an 18.8-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery pack powered a rear electric motor. It offered an estimated 35 miles of electric driving before switching to hybrid mode.

Pricing for the 2023 Volvo XC60 varied from just under $46,000 to over $76,000, inclusive of the destination charge. The trim levels included Core, Plus, Ultimate, and the PHEV-exclusive Polestar Engineered. Buyers could pair these trims with either Bright or Dark exterior themes.

Our test vehicle was the XC60 Recharge with the Ultimate package and a Dark exterior theme, complemented by Thunder Grey paint, a Climate Package, heated steering wheel and rear seats, air suspension, and a Bowers & Wilkins sound system. The MSRP was $74,690, including the $1,095 destination charge.

With 20-inch wheels and its attractive paint color, the XC60 Recharge stood out. Volvo, known for its leading style and design, showcased a timeless aesthetic that aged gracefully. Inside, the Scandinavian minimalism was evident through the use of colors and materials. The black leather interior with wood trim, metal accents, ambient lighting, panoramic sunroof, and the Ultimate package’s Orrefors crystal gear selector knob created an opulent environment.

Volvo’s history reflected a time when its vehicles, such as the 240dl and early V70, were beloved for their reliability but lacked visual appeal. However, the 2023 Volvo XC90 drastically changed this narrative.

The XC90’s design was purposeful without being flashy. Its strong, solid front end projected assertiveness without appearing overly aggressive. The grille was bold but tastefully proportioned, and the recognizable “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights added a modern touch. Overall, the XC90 maintained a rectilinear shape, yet bore no resemblance to the boxy Volvos of yore.

The XC90 Ultimate trim test vehicle featured 21-inch wheels with low-profile Pirelli Scorpion all-season tires, providing a touch of drama to its otherwise restrained design. The Platinum Gray paint, with brown undertones visible in sunlight, added richness and depth that Volvo’s traditionally conservative color palette seldom offered.

Inside, the XC90’s elegance was undeniable. The two-tone leather steering wheel featured a stylish three-spoke design, complemented by metal Bowers & Wilkins speaker covers, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery in “charcoal” or “blond.” Wood deco inlays across the dashboard and center console added a touch of nature to the minimalist interior, which had few physical controls, maintaining a clean, sophisticated look.

Performance-wise, the 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor powered by an 18.8-kWh battery pack, resulting in an impressive 455 horsepower and 423 pound-feet of torque. It offered an electric-only driving range estimated at 35 miles and a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.

The XC60 featured a 9-inch touchscreen to access several driving modes: Hybrid, Power, Pure, Off-road, and Constant AWD. Additionally, options for battery usage included Auto, Hold, and Charge.

We tested the XC60 Recharge starting in Pure mode with 36 miles of indicated range, extending to 38.3 miles mostly on electricity before the gasoline engine activated. In Power mode, the XC60 felt more responsive and agile despite its exterior sensibility. During the 65-mile evaluation, the vehicle averaged an impressive 54.6 mpg.

City and highway commuting were enjoyable due to the XC60 Recharge’s compliant ride quality. The one-pedal driving function enhanced regenerative braking but required getting used to occasional surges when setting off from a stop.

Volvo discontinued the older T5 and T6 powertrains for the 2023 XC90, replacing them with the new B5 and B6 engines featuring mild-hybrid technology. The B5 turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The B6 powertrain, tested here, included a supercharger and turbocharger with mild-hybrid tech, delivering 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.

Mild-hybrid systems powered the ignition and accessories via a 13-volt starter generator, reducing engine load. While not offering full electric drive, the XC90’s hybrid benefits included near-imperceptible auto stop-start functionality and smoother operation.

The XC90’s driving experience was enjoyable and refined, with quick acceleration and an eight-speed automatic transmission performing seamlessly. Its large wheels and low-profile tires contributed to reduced roll in corners. Noise insulation was effective, enhancing the serene cabin environment. Brakes were firm and reassuring, though some drivers might miss additional driving modes and off-road features.

Despite front-wheel drive availability in some trims, our AWD test vehicle handled a New Hampshire snowstorm with aplomb, albeit better winter tires could have improved confidence further.

The 2023 Volvo XC60, being a compact crossover, ideally accommodated four people, though it could fit five. Front seats, especially in the Ultimate trim with Nappa leather, provided excellent comfort with heating, ventilation, and power cushion extensions. Rear seats, while comfortable, were a bit tight on legroom for taller passengers, though the panoramic sunroof gave a spacious feel.

Storage was cleverly designed. The center console bin was small, but under the storage and cupholder trays were practical spaces for smaller items. The wide door panel bins and glovebox allowed for larger items. The power liftgate revealed 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet when folded.

The XC90's front seats exuded comfort and peacefulness, embodying Scandinavian minimalism but with limited storage. The small cubby ahead of the cupholders wasn’t ideal for a phone, and the USB port in the small center console bin added inconvenience.

The second row was comfortable and reasonably spacious but adjusting the seats was challenging. The standard seven-passenger setup could be converted to a six-passenger with captain’s chairs for $500, but this required the B6 engine configuration. Accessing the third row was difficult with three seats in place, and once seated, there was limited space.

With all seats in use, the XC90 offered 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space. This space expanded to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and to 65.5 cubic feet with both rear rows down. This capacity fell short compared to rivals like the Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, Genesis GV80, and Acura MDX.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 came with a 12-inch digital instrument panel operated via steering wheel controls, though accessing the trip computer settings through the 9-inch infotainment touchscreen was less intuitive. The Google Built-in infotainment system with four years of complimentary access to Google Assistant, Maps, and Play, was Android-friendly and supported Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM, and Wi-Fi.

The 9-inch touchscreen, despite being small, had excellent graphics and a user-friendly interface. Essential functions had physical controls, including a volume knob and tuning buttons. The voice-recognition system was impressive, handling various commands effectively. The optional Bowers & Wilkins sound system was exceptional, though pricey at $3,200.

The XC90’s infotainment system, featuring a 9-inch vertically mounted touchscreen, ran on Google OS, integrating Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant. Users could issue commands through Google Home devices, enhancing convenience.

Natural-language recognition by Google Assistant made operations smooth, though the touchscreen interface housed too many key functions, sometimes leading to frustration. The minimalist design compromised the availability of physical buttons for frequently used features like seat and steering wheel heating.

With time, owners might acclimate to the XC90’s tech interface despite initial usability challenges.

Safety was a strong point for the 2023 Volvo XC60, with Volvo’s history of innovation in this area. The Ultimate trim came with all available safety features, including Pilot Assist with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering, which performed smoothly on highways. Oncoming Lane Mitigation and other advanced systems enhanced collision avoidance.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hadn’t rated the XC60 Recharge, but the B5 and B6 mild-hybrids earned top marks. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the XC60 B5 and B6 a Top Safety Pick+ rating for 2022.

Volvo’s dedication to safety was reflected in the XC90’s five-star NHTSA rating and IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation for 2022. The XC90’s suite of advanced safety features, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, worked effectively even in challenging conditions like Boston traffic.

Volvo’s Pilot Assist technology helped maintain safe distances at various speeds. Safety tech was standard on the XC90, reinforcing Volvo’s commitment to producing some of the safest vehicles on the road.