2015.5 Volvo XC60 T6

2015 Volvo XC60 2.0L, 8-spd Geartronic Description

KBB Editors' Overview

By Keith Buglewicz - Updated Date: 3/6/2014

The 2015 Volvo XC60 is in a tough competitive field. It has to deliver luxury like the Lexus RX, offer the power of the agile BMW X3 and Audi Q, but be priced like the Acura RDX. Somehow, this Volvo delivers, and then the XC60 tosses in a big dose of styling, safety and individualism. This year, Volvo is introducing its all-new engine lineup to the XC60. Known as Drive-E, these engines will eventually replace the 5- and 6-cylinder engines in Volvo models across the board, offering the same or better performance, but with better fuel economy. Throw in the XC60's perfect 5-star crash-test ratings, an achievement no other SUV in this class can match, and the XC60 trumps any of its competitors for buyers who have children.

You'll Like This Car If...

The 2015 Volvo XC60 offers safety and exclusivity to the premium luxury SUV buyer. If those are the reasons you're looking to step up into the luxury end of the market, you'll be hard-pressed to do better than this Volvo.

You May Not Like This Car If...

While the new Drive-E engines are very fuel efficient, they're only available in front-wheel-drive (FWD) models, leaving the all-wheel-drive (AWD) economy crown to the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLK diesels.

What's New for 2015

After a major restyling last year, the 2015 Volvo XC60 is almost entirely carryover, with the exception of the new Drive-E engine family. Available on FWD models, the engine comes in two flavors: a 240-horsepower turbocharged version, or a 302-hp turbocharged and supercharged model.

Driving Impressions

The new Drive-E engines liven up the FWD models of the 2015 Volvo XC60 considerably. Although the Drive-E T5 offers the same 240 horsepower as the previous 3.2-liter inline-6, the XC60 is notably quicker, accelerating from a standstill to 60 mph in just under 7 seconds, rather than the 9-second time of the previous vehicle. It's even better with the turbocharged and supercharged Drive-E T6, which gets to 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds. A downside is that the Drive-E T6 also suffers from torque steer at full throttle, and the squirming steering wheel is nobody's idea of fun. Still, there's a lot to like from behind the wheel of the XC60. If you opt for an AWD model, we strongly suggest skipping the 3.2-liter engine and springing for the turbocharged T6; you'll thank us every time you pass someone on the freeway.

Favorite Features

DRIVE-E

The Drive-E engines in the 2015 Volvo XC60 are the real deal. Fuel economy jumps from 18 mpg in the city to 24 mpg, and the XC60 is more than 2 seconds quicker to 60 mph, too. And that's for the T5; the T6 is even quicker, and still gets better economy.

CITY SAFE

This system provides a technological safety net for distracted drivers. At speeds of 19 mph or below, the system senses stopped or slow-moving objects ahead – other cars or pedestrians – and automatically applies the brakes if the driver does not, avoiding or reducing the severity of accidents.