Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

2019 Volvo XC60 review - design

It’s a premium mid-sized SUV, so unsurprisingly popular, but is Volvo’s XC60 actually any good?

Evo rating
RRP
from £43,845
  • Solid, comfortable, safe and sophisticated, executed with a Swedish flair that now defines modern Volvos
  • Only really advisable as a cruiser; it just gets worse the sportier you spec it

Design

Contrary to many rivals, Volvo’s on a bit of a design roll at the moment, and the XC60 is no exception, with a cool, clean aesthetic that looks expensive yet not intimidating. The clean surfaces are driven by a subtle curvature lacking in the bigger XC90. Its shared platform with the 90 also drives the 60’s chunky, almost cartoonish proportions, with a relatively long bonnet and large wheels in proportion to the overall footprint.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Pretty much all models look good though, and whether on small wheels and with simple body styling, or the biggest 22-inch wheel option and sporty body styling, it always looks right. Compared to the dull German competition, this is a revelation, and the XC60 has no problem living up to the strong price points of the higher-end models.

Those top-spec Polestar Engineered variants pick up a bespoke wheel design, gold brake calipers, black design elements and a unique grille. Although the effect is subtle, it’s just about distinctive enough to make it feel special, even if that’s not something that can be said for the driving experience.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

The new Toyota GR Yaris Sébastien Ogier edition is a rally car for the road
Toyota GR Yaris Sebastien Ogier 9 World Champion Edition
News

The new Toyota GR Yaris Sébastien Ogier edition is a rally car for the road

Toyota has chosen the season-opening 2026 Monte Carlo rally to reveal a new special edition of the GR Yaris. It’s one with a very long name: the Toyot…
22 Jan 2026
Four pricey performance cars that make more sense to buy used
Depreciated performance cars
Features

Four pricey performance cars that make more sense to buy used

Depreciation: One buyer’s suffering is another man's saving, such as £65k off a nearly-new BMW M8 or £20k off a nearly-new Mercedes-AMG A35
22 Jan 2026
Bugatti F.K.P. Hommage: 20 years later, Bugatti facelifts the Veyron
Bugatti FKP
News

Bugatti F.K.P. Hommage: 20 years later, Bugatti facelifts the Veyron

One-of-one special Bugatti Solitaire customer car reimagines the Veyron for the 2020s, and gives it 60 per cent more power
22 Jan 2026