2016 Volvo XC60 T6 Drive-E AWD

Known always for safety, the 2016 Volvo XC60 T6 is one of the better choices for a small luxury crossover SUV, in terms of the latest in safety developments. Carrying over from 2015, the XC60 has few changes for 2016, and in fact, has dropped some: The fold-down front passenger seat is no longer.

Pros for the SC60 T6 include strong and efficient turbocharged four-cylinder engines; great crash test scores; supportive seats; generous cargo space.

It’s been hard for family vehicles to be anything but boring (think minivans, I guess), although we don’t necessarily think so. However, Volvo offers a nice alternative in the XC60 SUV, with sleek looks, a stylish and upscale cabin, as well as a solid vehicle. Introduced in 2010, the XC60 has it all, albeit at a fairly robust price. Compared with some of the competition, though, the XC60 still comes in less than Audi 5 or Mercedes GLC-Class.

With no shortage of competitors, the XC60 also competes with the Acura RDX, BMW X3, and Lexus NX 200t, the new Jaguar F-Pace, among others.

As with all good comes a little disappointment. And so it is with the Volvo XC60. We found the handling less than stellar, discovered we couldn’t take our eyes off the road for fear it would drift off. Power and performance are there in the 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder Turbo-charged, super-charged engine. Paired with Volvo’s all-wheel-drive via a six-speed automatic transmission.

2016 Volvo XC60 T6 interior

We felt the Volvo turn off and on; Volvo’s automatic stop-start system that shuts down the engine to save fuel when coming to a stop. Much like a hybrid, the turbo engine feels less like a turbo. Horsepower is at 302, and torque at 295, making it a strong performer when you need it. We had no trouble taking off and passing when indicated. Midway through the model year, Volvo offered the 2.0-liter Turbo engine with AWD, rated at 23 mpg. combined.

The early build of the XC60 T6 AWD models (sans the Drive-E), have a turbocharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine, producing 300 hp and 325 lb-ft. torque

Our test Volvo XC was the T6 Drive-E, AWD with several pricy options. The Platinum package, at $4,400 came with power tailgate with programmable setting, Active dual Xenon headlights and washers, Auto-dimming rearview mirrors, and Rear Park assist camera. Other options included the Convenience Package with HomeLink, garage door opener, cargo cover, grocery bag holder, 12V power outlet in cargo area, power retractable exterior mirrors, Electric folding rear headrests, Accent lighting, Harmen Kardon Premium Sound System, Adaptive Cruise Control with brake assist, Pedestrian, Cyclist Detection, distance alert, Lane Departure Warning, Driver Alert Control, Active High Beams, Road Sign Information.
The other option was the Climate Package and Child Booster Seat ($1,550) and included heated front seats, Dual Two-stage child booster seats, power child locks, heated windshield washer nozzles, interior air quality system, heated steering wheel and heated windshield. We could actually see the heating coils in the windshield under certain light.

Contour seats and charcoal head rests ($600), Metallic paint ($60), Linear Walnut Wood Inlay ($400), and 19-inch LESATH D/C wheel ($750) all brought our test XC60 up to $52,605.

Twenty-inch wheels come on the T6 AWD R-Design edition. Our AWD Drive-E version come equipped with 18-inch all-season tires, and 18-inch alloy wheels; with the option on this car, the wheels were 19-inch.

A five-passenger SUV, the XC60 offers plenty of interior space, all the features you could want, and excellence in safety. Of course. If you elect to get into the XC60 FWD Drive-E T5 and T6 versions, you’ll be rewarded with some of the most impressive EPA fuel economy (26 mpg combined). You sacrifice a few mpg’s with the AWD models, but mileage still averages around 22 mpg.

A small crossover in classification, the XC60 is available in many versions; something like 16 choices! Trim levels correspond to engine and drivetrain, including the T5 Drive-E, T5 AWD, T6 Drive-E, T6 AWD and T6 AWD R-Design. You can also move up to the XC60’s big brother, the XC80, if you want more room. All versions of the T6 have a Platinum trim level ( and in our test vehicle, an optional package).

The Premier package for the T5 Drive-E and T5 AWD adds a panoramic sunroof, rear privacy glass, leather upholstery, configurable digital gauges, a navigation system and an auto-dimming mirror.
The T6 Platinum trim adds a power liftgate, adaptive bi-xenon headlights, keyless ignition and entry, a rearview camera, a premium 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, interior accent lighting and Volvo’s Technology and Convenience packages (explained below).

Volvo’s Technology package, standard on Platinum models and an option on all other trims, adds adaptive cruise control, an upgraded forward collision mitigation system, driver alertness and lane departure warning systems and automatic high beam headlight control.

Of course, all XC60s offer standard traction and stability control, ABS, front seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, whiplash-protection front seats, along with the standard City Safety system-a low-speed forward collision warning and mitigation system with automatic braking. The XC60 received a five-star rating in government crash tests, and a “superior” rating for its frontal crash prevention technology.

As with all Volvo products, the seats are very comfortable and supportive. Switches and controls are intuitive. The audio system pad may seem somewhat dated, but is simple to operate. We liked the dial-around nav system and although a tad laborious, is simple to figure out.

The 2016 Volvo XC60 T6 Drive-E delivers respectable acceleration and very good fuel economy. The turbocharged engine offers plenty of power, but takes a little getting used to when shutting on/off, if you’ve never driven a hybrid vehicle. The ride is smooth, takes all manner of roads with little effort, is quiet, yet firm.

You’ll know the XC60 is a Volvo-by look and feel. But that’s not a bad thing. It still feels like a Scandanavian vehicle, with looks, comfort and class.

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