“We have a strong heritage in designing stylish and dynamic SUVs that offer the latest in technology. The new XC60 will be no exception. It’s the perfect car for an active lifestyle, and it represents the next step in our transformation plan,” said Hakan Samuelsson, president and chief executive, Volvo Car Group.
The newcomer replaces Volvo’s highly successful original XC60 which, in the nine years since its launch, became the best-selling premium mid-size SUV in Europe, with nearly a million units sold globally. The XC60 today represents around 30 percent of Volvo’s total global sales.
The new XC60, one of the safest cars ever made, is fully loaded with new technology. Steer Assist has been added to the ground-breaking City Safety system. A new safety system called Oncoming Lane Mitigation uses Steer Assist to help mitigate head-on collisions, while Volvo’s Blind Spot Indication System (BLIS) now uses Steer Assist functionality to reduce the risk of lane-changing collisions.
Pilot Assist, Volvo’s advanced semi-autonomous driver-assistance system which takes care of steering, acceleration and braking on well-marked roads up to 130km/h, is available in the new XC60 as an option.
The new XC60 offers Volvo’s award-winning T8 Twin Engine petrol plug-in hybrid system at the top of the powertrain range, delivering 407bhp and 0-100km/h acceleration in just 5.3 seconds. The debut engines will be the 190bhp diesel D4 and the 235bhp D5 with PowerPulse technology. These will be joined later by the 254bhp petrol T5 and the 320bhp/400Nm petrol T6 with both turbo and superchargers attached.
It is not just under the bonnet that the new XC60 delivers healthy performance. The new CleanZone four-zone climate control system removes harmful pollutants and particles from outside the cabin to deliver Scandinavian-fresh air on the inside.
Sensus (Volvo’s driver infotainment and connected services suite) and the Volvo On Call app both receive a graphical update with improved useability. As in the 90 series Volvo cars (such as the XC90 and S90), smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is also available.
“We have focused on building a car that can deliver pleasure to all of your senses – from a commanding view of the road ahead in a beautifully appointed and calm cabin, to a safe, inspired and confident ride,” said Henrik Green, senior vice-president, Product & Quality at Volvo Car Group.
“We’ve paid particular attention to making life easier for our customers by providing them with the creature comforts and services that take the hassle out of everyday life.” 
Read our comparison tests that involve the original Volvo XC60 here, here and here.
