2022 Volvo XC60

Volvo XC60 2021-2022 Review

There are many models through Volvo’s long and storied history that mark the transitions between generations – the leaps so to speak – and each has a very important place. In the case of the Volvo XC60, the first generation was unveiled to the world at a time when Volvo was regarded as being too old-fashioned and old school in thought and execution.

The XC60 represented a breath of fresh air, followed by the Volvo V40 hatchback and the S60 sedan of the era. These three models were the last big steps for Volvo that helped to put the brand back on the map, and more importantly attract the attention of Geely to really take the brand to new heights. It was also one of the first to sport the newer powertrain options that took Volvo’s products out of the relative stone age.

That first generation of the XC60 stretched a relatively long time with multiple facelifts from 2008 to 2017. By the time the XC60 hit the end of its production run, the current generation Volvo XC90 SUV and S90 sedan had been available to the greater market for a while and really cemented the reputation of the Swedish brand as being a true luxury car producer with greater intentions and aspirations.

With the launch of the second generation XC60, the same great leap wasn’t made – but it did get many of the items and luxuries introduced with the larger 90 series models in Volvo’s range that really helped to make it a competitive product in this day and age. Nearly all Volvo products look nearly identical on the inside, which has its benefits and drawbacks.

The local launch of the Volvo XC60 was back in 2018 with three variants on offer, eventually being trimmed to two variants and going through some specification, equipment, and naming changes. The most recent facelift was unveiled here in 2021-2022, with the addition of some semi-autonomous driving features and pricing changes.

Volvo XC60 2021-2022 Specifications

Both variants of the Volvo XC60 sold in Malaysia come with a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine, though there are other powertrains overseas including diesel options that have never been made available here. In the case of the T5 Momentum variant, that engine makes 254 hp and 350 Nm of torque from as low as 1,500 rpm.

The higher spec Recharge T8 Inscription Plus gets a hybrid powertrain that uses that same turbocharged 2.0-litre powerplant as its base, slaps on an additional supercharger, and supplements it with an electric motor for a total output of 407 hp and 640 Nm of torque from 2,200 rpm. Both variants come with an eight-speed conventional automatic gearbox that has manual override control.

While the T5 can hit 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds from a standstill, the T8 can do that in 5.3 seconds. Regardless of which you choose however, there is a 180 km/h speed limit that has been imposed from 2020, as part of Volvo’s safety initiative to bring road fatalities down to zero.

Dimensionally, the Volvo XC60 sits between the XC40 and XC90, with a wheelbase of 2,865 mm, a length of 4,688 mm, and a width of 1,902 mm – or 2,117 mm with mirrors. The platform that underpins the XC60 is the SPA platform that was first launched with the XC90, and made its way to the S90 as well. This platform is known for supple ride comfort and impressive handling qualities, and helped to rectify many of the foibles that came with Volvo’s older platforms in terms of dynamics.

Volvo XC60 2021-2022 Exterior

You can have your Volvo XC60 in any colour you want, as long as it’s these four: Crystal White Pearl, Onyx Black Metallic, Osmium Grey Metallic, and Denim Blue Metallic. The latter two colours are the most common for our market, making up the brunt of the grey and blue-ish grey Volvo SUVs and sedans you can find on the road.

On the T5 Momentum variant you get 18-inch wheels in a five-spoke diamond cut design, while the Recharge T8 Inscription Plus gets larger 19-inch wheels in a ten-spoke diamond cut design. Other differences between the two models are the Inscription grille with a chrome frame, Inscription exterior elements with chrome details, and integrated dual tailpipes at the rear. Roof rails are standard for both variants, as is the LED daytime running light design.

Volvo XC60 2021-2022 Interior

Being inside the Volvo XC60 is a pleasant experience, whether you’re pottering about town, on a long road trip between states, or throwing it around some back roads. The T5 gets iron ore aluminium décor inlays, while the T8 gets driftwoord décor inlays instead. Both models get the same leather upholstery with power adjustable driver and passenger seats.

Volvo XC60 2021-2022 Safety Features

Safety is synonymous with Volvo, and beyond having an incredibly strong crash structure that regularly tops crash safety testing, it is the active and passive safety systems in combination with advanced safety systems that really take the XC60 to the next level. Volvo’s work in safety regularly redefines what other manufacturers offer and have to develop in order to avoid looking foolish and outdated.

Intellisafe is the name of the umbrella under which these systems are placed, with City Safety being one of the major items – collision avoidance and mitigation with intersection support for pedestrians, cyclists, and large animals. There is also steering support, front and rear collision warning with mitigation support, driver alert control, lane-keeping aid, run-off road mitigation with road edge detection, oncoming lane mitigation, the Blind Spot Information System with steer assist (a Volvo staple), cross traffic alert, and so on.

Volvo XC60 2021-2022 Strengths & Weakness

Where the Swedish brand may pride itself is in the safety of its cars, but the perceived strengths of a Volvo to a modern consumer lie in the luxury and the driving experience offered. It is no understatement that Volvo made such big waves in the industry that many rivals had to aggressively re-invent what they offered in order to keep up – safety just isn’t sexy enough, but a massive centrally mounted touch screen is.

Unfortunately, it is now coming to the point where the novelty and the shock appeal of the systems and design is starting to wear. There just hasn’t been enough of an aesthetic update or change, unlike what has been going on with German contemporary offerings. What we’re saying is that Volvo products are still fantastic, but they don’t have that incredible edge they used to have.

Volvo XC60 2021-2022 Price

Of the two variants available for the Volvo XC60 in Malaysia, the more affordable entry point is the T5 Momentum variant that goes for RM 278,915.05 – with all the accoutrements like your number plate, registration fee, road tax, but without insurance and with the current sales tax exemption. The higher-spec Recharge T8 Inscription Plus will run you RM 324,656.45 – again with all of the above items, and both prices being specific to Peninsular Malaysia. The warranty terms are five years with unlimited mileage, while the warranty on the PHEV battery is 8 years or 160,000 kilometres.

Volvo XC60 2021-2022 Features

The party piece of features and functionality for the Volvo XC60 has to be the big touch screen unit known as the Sensus Connect, in all nine inches of its full colour glory. A 10-speaker setup is provided for the T5 while the T8 gets a Bowers and Wilkins 15-speaker setup instead – but both models get Bluetooth connectivity and Apple Carplay and Android Auto functionality.

In addition to this, both models get keyless entry and start, two-zone electronic climate control, a 12.3-inch TFT adaptive digital display for the instrument cluster, and wireless mobile phone charging with this most recent update for the model.

Volvo XC60 2021-2022 Fuel Consumption

The manufacturer quoted fuel consumption for the Volvo XC60 changes drastically depending on variant, despite having the same base engine. For the T5 Momentum this is quoted as 7.8 litres per 100 kilometres, or 12.8 kilometres per litre. The higher-spec plug-in hybrid in the form of the Recharge T8 powertrain will return 2.2 litres per 100 kilometres, or 45.5 kilometres per litre.

There are a couple of caveats with these figures, however. In the case of both variants, the turbocharged 2.0-litre engine can either sip fuel or drink it rapidly depending on how you drive – having the turbo spinning more quickly and more often drinks more fuel naturally. More specific to the hybrid variant, that figure is dependent on you keeping the battery charged as often as possible to make use of the electric motor as much as possible.