Volvo XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered 2022 Review

The luxury compact SUV segment is packed with excellent competitors from various premium brands, but the one Scandinavian model on the list doesn't blend in with its rivals. Since its 2018 redesign, the Volvo XC60 has set itself apart with its unique headlights and taillights, tasteful body lines, and an uncluttered, upscale interior made of high-quality materials. The Swede, though, doesn't have the handling chops of some of its rivals or the softest ride.

As with most premium SUVs, the XC60 will haul the family around in comfort, provides good cargo space, and comes standard with a long list of advanced driver aids such as automatic emergency braking and evasive steering assist. The XC60 also has a performance variant like its German rivals (BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Audi Q5) do. It's the Polestar Engineered model that packs the 415-horsepower plug-in hybrid Recharge T8 powertrain that has an all-electric range of 18 miles. The XC60 slots in between the smaller XC40 and larger XC90 SUVs.

For the 2022 model year, Volvo refreshed the XC60 with reworked front and rear fascias and updated engines. The former T5 and T6 engines have been fitted with a new 48-volt mild hybrid system and are now called B5 and B6. EPA-estimated fuel economy is up slightly by about 1-2 mpg combined compared to last year's engines. The Recharge model keeps the plug-in hybrid T8 powertrain. Volvo also added a new Google-based infotainment system that features Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play.

Overall, we recommend the XC60 and find it a competitive choice among other small luxury SUVs including the Acura RDX, BMW X3, Genesis GV70 and Mercedes-Benz GLC.

Which XC60 does MatoCar recommend?

The Volvo XC60 is a compact luxury SUV. The base B5 engine is offered in Momentum, R-Design and Inscription trims. The upgraded B6 engine can be paired with the R-Design or Inscription trim. The base trim for the plug-in hybrid Recharge model is the Inscription Expression trim, and the R-Design and Inscription trims are also available. The top Polestar Engineered trim gets a more powerful version of the Recharge T8 powertrain.

The B5 is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 247 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The B6 adds a supercharger to the B5 and increases power to 295 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The Recharge T8 adds an electric motor to the B6 (sans the mild hybrid unit), which bumps horsepower to 400 hp and torque to 472 lb-ft. The Polestar Engineered's Recharge powertrain gets 415 hp and 494 lb-ft of torque. All engines are backed by an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Front-wheel drive is standard on the B5 engine, and all-wheel drive is an option. The B6 and Recharge T8 powertrains only come equipped with AWD.

Momentum (called Inscription Expression for the XC60 Recharge) This base trim level comes with:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Adaptive LED headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
• Panoramic sunroof
• Auto-dimming mirrors
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Driver's seat memory settings
• Wireless phone charger
• Heated front seats (AWD only)
• Cloth upholstery
• Digital instrument panel
• 9-inch touchscreen
• 10-speaker audio system
• Google-based infotainment system
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration

Advanced driving aids and safety features include:

• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
• Lane keeping assist (steers the car back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane)
• Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while in reverse)
• Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)
• Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)

Numerous packages and stand-alone options are available for the Momentum trim level. They include:

• Advanced package
• Ambient interior lighting
• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Volvo and the car in front)
• 360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Volvo and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
• Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)
• Power-folding rear head restraints (outboard)
• Advanced air cabin filter
• Climate package
• Heated rear seats
• Heated steering wheel
• 19- or 20-inch wheels
• 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
• Hands-free tailgate
• Leather upholstery
• Integrated booster cushions for outboard rear seats

R-Design The R-Design is positioned as the sporty XC60. Upgrades over the base model include:

• 19-inch wheels
• Black exterior trim
• Ambient interior lighting
• Four-zone automatic climate control (B5 and B6 only)
• Heated front sport seats with cloth bolstering
• 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
• Front parking sensors

Unless already included, the optional features listed above for the Momentum trim are available for the R-Design except the 20-inch wheels. Additional options include:

• 21-inch wheels
• Air suspension (adapts to provide greater ride comfort or sportier handling)
• 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system

Inscription The Inscription offers more luxury features, building off the Momentum with these additions:

• 19-inch wheels
• Chrome exterior trim
• Ambient interior lighting
• Four-zone automatic climate control (B5 and B6 only)
• Ventilated front seats
• Upgraded leather upholstery
• 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
• Front parking sensors

Unless already included, all features on the Momentum/Inscription Expression trim are available for the Inscription. Additional options include:

• Air suspension
• 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system

Polestar Engineered The Polestar Engineered starts with the R-Design's upgrades, along with an uprated version of the Recharge model's powertrain. It also includes:

• Advanced package
• 21-inch wheels with summer performance tires
• Akebono front brakes
• Special Öhlins suspension dampers
• Gold-colored seat belts
• 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system

The only options available for the Polestar Engineered trim are 22-inch wheels with summer tires and the integrated booster cushions.