2013 Volvo XC60 Total Car Score Analysis

The 2013 Volvo XC60 earns an average Total Car Score for the Entry Luxury SUVs & Crossovers segment. 
 
The 2013 XC60 continues the Volvo trend of being a safe, quality crossover, but it offers more interior and exterior styling than Volvos of old. Reviewers find the interior to be modern and classy. The floating center stack is stylish, coming with metallic or wood trim, and offering storage directly behind. The control knobs and buttons are easy to use and understand, although some reviewers find them to be a little bit dated.  
 
Safety remains a staple, with the XC60 offering a long list of safety features and receiving nearly perfect scores in government and insurance agency crash tests.  
 
The XC60 seats five, although fitting three adults comfortably in the back seat might be a stretch. Reviewers are impressed with the cargo space offered, whether the back seats are up or folded down. With the seats up the XC60 offers 30 cubic feet of space. Fold them down and cargo space increases to 67 cubic feet, putting the XC60 among the best in its class.  
 
The tall stance of the XC60 allows for the impressive cargo space but doesn’t hinder the handling and driving dynamics. Ride quality is smooth and quiet inside the cabin. Reviewers state that the XC60 is solid enough in tight corners; and with more than 9 inches of ground clearance and available AWD (standard on T6 trims), the XC60 is a capable crossover in any climate and road condition.  
 
The base model’s 3.2-liter engine continues to earn less than stellar reviews. Reviewers prefer the turbocharged 3.0-liter offered in the T6 trims and the standard AWD. Spring for the T6 R-Design and horsepower increases to 325, making it one of the quickest crossovers in its class.  
 
EPA figures are another point of contention among reviewers, with the somewhat heavy XC60 offering only average fuel economy compared to some of its competitors.  
 
For 2013 the XC60 is mostly unchanged. It receives standard rain sensing wipers, tunnel detection and headlight washers. The T6 trims add keyless ignition and add a sport mode for the transmissions.

2013 Volvo XC60 Model Line-Up

The 2013 Volvo XC60 is a five-passenger crossover that’s offered in three models: 3.2, T6 and T6 R-Design.  
 
The XC60 offers two engines. The base 3.2 trim comes with a 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder that generates 240 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The T-6 trims come with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, producing 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque in the base T-6 trim. Move up to the T6 R-Design and you get a tuned version of the turbocharged engine that produces 325 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque.  
 
The 3.2 trim comes standard with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is optional on the base 3.2 trim and standard on both T6 trims. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard on all trims.  
 
Each XC60 model is offered in multiple sub trims, with many of the features available in the T6 trims also available in the 3.2 sub trims. The base 3.2 offers 18-inch wheels, automatic headlights, rain-sensing windshield and headlight wipers and dual-zone automatic climate control. The 3.2 Premier adds leather seating, keyless ignition and panoramic roof with power sunshade. Premier Plus 3.2 adds front and rear park assist and power adjustable passenger seat. The Platinum 3.2 adds a voice controlled navigation system and rear-view camera.  
 
The T6 comes standard with keyless ignition and entry, a panoramic sunroof and leather seating. As with the Premier Plus 3.2, the Premier Plus T6 includes front and rear park assist, a power operated tailgate with memory setting and electric folding rear headrests. The Platinum T6 follows the Platinum 3.2 with a voice controlled navigation system and rear-view camera.  
 
The T6 R-Design adds a sport-tuned suspension and a tuned turbocharged engine for more power, 20-inch alloy wheels, dual chrome exhaust, and a sport R-Design steering wheel. The Premier and Platinum sub trims add the same features as in the other trims.  
 
There are four option packages available for each trim. The Climate Package with heated rear seats includes heated front and rear seats, heated windshield washers and interior air quality system. The Climate Package with dual two-stage integrated child booster seats includes heated front seats, dual child booster seats with power child locks, heated windshield washers and interior air quality system. The Tailgate Package includes a power operated tailgate with programmable memory settings and rear-view camera. The Technology Package comes with adaptive cruise control, collision warning and pedestrian detection with full auto brake, distance alert, lane departure warning and active high beam.  
 
The EPA estimates fuel economy for the 2013 Volvo XC60 3.2 front-wheel drive at 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined. Those figures drop to18/24/20 for the all-wheel drive. The T6 and T6 R-Design’s 3.0-liter turbocharged engine get 17/23/20 mpg. 
 
Properly equipped, the 2013 Volvo XC60 is rated to tow up to 3,300 pounds.

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