Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

2019 Volvo XC60 review - engine, transmission and technical details

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

Engine, transmission and technical details

As briefly mentioned above, all XC60 models utilise essentially the same 2-litre four-cylinder engine, in petrol and diesel forms. Both share a 1969cc displacement, and depending on their outputs feature a pretty wide spectrum of forced induction methods. Petrol engines are either single-turbocharged or turbo and supercharged, and produce 247bhp and 306bhp in B5 (petrol) and T6 forms. The T6 engine is also used in the T8 Twin-Engine plug-in hybrid variant, with a combined (not equivalent, mind) output of 394bhp, or 399bhp in T8 Polestar Engineered form. Both plug-in hybrid variants use the petrol engine to drive the front axle, with the rear driven exclusively by the 86bhp electric motor on the rear axle.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Diesel variants are somewhat more simple, with the sole D4 model producing 187bhp from a twin-turbocharged version of the diesel engine variant. It’s the mild-hybrid versions that add a new complication to the range, as B4 and B5 (diesel) variants combine a twin-turbocharged diesel with a mild-hybrid system that produce 195bhp and 235bhp respectively.

All engine variants in the XC60 include an eight-speed automatic transmission, operated by either a normal lever, or in some cases, a dubious crystal selector. All-wheel-drive models (bar the T8) utilise a front-wheel-drive-biased system, only sending power to the rear wheels when required.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Government goes undercover to clamp down on loud car exhausts, not just emissions
Exhaust
News

Government goes undercover to clamp down on loud car exhausts, not just emissions

As the government explores new legislation to keep emissions in check, the DVSA has fined a firm for creating loud exhausts 
1 Sep 2026
Car emissions consultation ends soon, with UK's tuned and modified vehicles targeted
Aventador exhausts
News

Car emissions consultation ends soon, with UK's tuned and modified vehicles targeted

Consultation ends next week on rule changes that will fine drivers who have modified emission-control devices on their cars, but what does it actually…
30 Aug 2026
New Bentley Supersports review – 500kg lighter Continental GT is the best yet
Bentley Continental Supersports
Reviews

New Bentley Supersports review – 500kg lighter Continental GT is the best yet

The new Bentley Supersports goes against the hybridisation trend, removing its electrical components, becoming 500kg lighter and rear-driven in the pr…
31 Aug 2026