2021 Volvo XC60

Pros: Compelling performance; abundance of safety features; comfortable back seat

Cons: Complex touchscreen control interface can be distracting; topline models get expensive

CG Says: The 2021 Volvo XC60 adds standard blind-spot alert, hands-free power liftgate, and steering-linked LED headlights to all models. The T8 Plug-in Hybrid is now badged Recharge. Volvo’s premium compact crossover SUV was redesigned for 2018. The base T5 has a 250-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, while the T6 has a turbocharged and supercharged version of that engine with 316 hp. Recharge and Polestar Engineered models have a plug-in hybrid powertrain that combines the turbocharged/supercharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a combined 400 hp in Recharge and 415 hp in Polestar. All XC60s have an 8-speed automatic transmission. Available safety features include forward collision warning and mitigation, steering-linked headlights, City Safety Collision Avoidance Technology, blind-spot alert with steering intervention, drowsiness alert, Oncoming Lane Mitigation (which will steer the vehicle back into the lane if it crosses the center stripe when an oncoming vehicle is detected), and Steer Assist that combines with vehicle, pedestrian, cyclist, and large-animal detection to help drivers avoid obstacles by adding additional steering input if necessary and braking individual wheels to increase vehicle control. Other available features include a heated/ventilated front seats, surround-view camera, cooled glove box, head-up instrument display, panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control, and power-folding rear seats. The XC60 delivers all the available safety features expected of a Volvo, and pairs them with dynamic performance and confident distinctive styling as an unexpected bonus. Although the touchscreen control system can be tricky to master, the cabin is very nicely finished, with good rear-seat and cargo room. Topline trim levels are pricey, but the new XC60 presents itself as a fine alternative to its more-established European rivals.