2018 Volvo XC60 T8 – Forget the Figures, Comfort Still Reign Here

Volvo introduced its luxury compact crossover XC60 in 2008. It instantly became brand’s best selling model, but really extraordinary stuff was yet to come. After long 7 seven years on the market or two years ago, 77,197 buyers went for it on the old continent. That set the segment’s all time record, just to personally break it year after with figure of almost 83k units sold. That means it outsells traditionally strong German luxury trio and that is the feat that rare accomplish. Now, new generation just arrived and it has big shoes to fill. That’s why we choose crème de la crème of it, or 2018 Volvo XC60 T8 to see whether it is fit for the deed.

ICY ELEGANCE

Swedes are rather pragmatic and restrained bunch of people, which is visible in their approach to elegance. Cold? Yes. But also impeccably clean, refined and tasteful. New XC60 was brought in the line with latest brand products adopting mandatory Thor’s Hammer LED headlights and vertically slatted grille, while signature horizontal tail lights remained, but gained curvature inwards at the bottom. It looks classy and graceful, but not existing and neither we expected that. As for the cabin, it is a beautiful place to be.

Why? Proper build quality, finest real materials (not painted plastic), and again that soothing Nordic elegance. Dash is dominated by stylish and vertical 9-inch screen, while in T8 model gear lever is an artistic sculpture crafted from Orrefors crystals. Finally a proper rival for Merc GLC’s interior stuff. And one more thing. New platform brought new space figures, bringing finally relief for back seat passengers.

2018 VOLVO XC60 T8 SPECS

Prepare to be amazed. T8 stands for turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter L4 rated at 313 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. But that’s not all. Add to the mix two electric motors and power goes to 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. 400 hp! It is true that Swedes bundled together underneath every possible way of raising hp figures, but that number is the same as one in Macan Turbo or above those in SQ5 and AMG GLC43. Yet, don’t get too excited.

Reaching 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds is a blast for Swedish SUV, but it still surely doesn’t try to act sporty as mentioned rivals. This is just XC60 with lots of power but without full Polestar badge, so bends are still treated with calm dignity. Also, despite all mentioned help for the engine, you could sense turbo lag as those systems are not best correlated unless you switch to pure EV mode which lasts for 18 miles thanks to 10.4-kWh lithium-ion battery.

2018 VOLVO CX60 T8 PRICE

2018 Volvo XC60 T8 starts at $53,895 for Momentum trim, R-Design’s sporty make-up asks for $57,195 and luxurious Inscription is $500 more than that. That is steep eight grand over T6 version, but you may be suitable for a tax credit (in the US) in the amount of five grand or more, while 59 MPGe pose as another incentive. At the end, as we said, don’t get fooled by that power figure. If you are for some fun in the bends go for Macan, F-Pace or Stelvio. If you like to sip vintage wine joined by melodies from Classical period and from time to time you have to travel “a bit” faster on the highway, then pay attention to this Swede.