The Volvo XC60 has become a popular luxury SUV. The midsize vehicle comfortably seats five and has evolved since it first hit the market in 2010.
With the vehicle currently in its second generation, various changes have occurred.
As you look for a used XC60, keep in mind that some model years are better than others.
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The Best and Worst Years for Volvo XC60 Are:
The best of the Volvo XC60 models include 2009, 2014, 2016, 2020, and 2022. Meanwhile, the worst of the model years that you should try to avoid whenever possible are the 2010, 2015, and 2019 vehicles.
What Volvo XC60 Years Are the Most Reliable?
While the XC60 has been an award-winning SUV since it was first released, the reliability changes depending on the model year.
It depends on the issues found within the vehicle, the features that are offered, and even the trim level.
When you find yourself looking for a Volvo XC60, there are a few model years that we recommend more than others.
2011 XC60
The 2011 XC60 is the second year of the vehicle being manufactured. Issues from year one were corrected.
JD Power issued dependability awards to the SUV. BBC Topgear also recognized the vehicle as the “SUV of the Year” in 2011.
Throughout the model year, it won a variety of tech and innovation awards.
Considering the vehicle has been on the market for over a decade, it’s impressive that only four recalls were launched for the 2011 model year. These included ones that focused on seats, seat belts, air bags, and a software calibration issue for the engine cooling system.
There are a number of reasons why it is highly reliable. With several trim levels to choose from, you could choose either an inline six-cylinder engine or a turbocharged 300-hp one.
New safety features were incorporated to help reduce rear-end collisions.
Safety features that were standard include:
- stability assist,
- electronic stability with roll control,
- and six airbags.
An avoidance package was also available, which proved to be one of the most tech-advanced forms of driver safety available in 2011.
2014 XC60
The 2014 XC60 falls within the first generation.
However, it is the first year of a facelift. This helps to address some of the design issues to make the exterior look more impressive.
It has ranked high in US News & World Report for the Luxury Compact SUV category. It also received awards from Kelley Blue Book for its resale value.
Safety has been a top priority for the 2014 XC60. It shows with all of the safety features that are standard.
Plus, only two safety recalls were made by the NHTSA.
The NHTSA gave the vehicle five stars in all categories:
- overall,
- frontal crash,
- and side crash categories.
A few changes were made in the 2014 model year to make it more desirable.
It received a lot of tech upgrades as well as some more luxurious trim accents for the interior.
The AWD system handled while cornering more effectively.
“Sports” mode was also added to the T6 models so that faster shifts could occur.
With used 2014 models being $20,000 off of the original MSRP, you can find some incredible deals so that you can own one of the more reliable model years of the XC60 without spending a lot of money.
2016 XC60
The 2016 XC60 has a lot to offer. It’s still within the first generation. Though, there are more features that come standard.
A variety of turbocharged engines are available within the trim levels.
Volvo has also listened to those who want a sportier experience behind the wheel.
The main change: paddle shifters have been deleted from the T6 trim level.
The Drive-E also produces 302 horsepower and there’s ECO+fuel-saving technology so that you can anticipate 23/31 mpg – an impressive feat from an SUV.
The XC60 has earned a significant amount of reliability – and awards from JD Power and other outlets help to prove it.
It also won the Best Cars for the Money from US News & World Report.
The reviews have focused on the engines being highly efficient and fun to drive.
As for cons, the only thing that seems to be a complaint is that the dashboard may be a bit too plain for some of its drivers. We’ll let you decide.
For the price, it’s all a great deal.
2020 XC60
The 2020 XC60 is arguably one of the favorite model years.
It’s within the second generation and has earned a lot of new luxury features.
In 2020, the SUV won the Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. Auto Trader also identified it as the Best 2-Row Luxury SUV.
One of the reasons for this award is because of how many features come standard.
The City Safety technology suite is found in all Volvo models. You get everything from automatic emergency braking to steering support within it.
The XC60 Polestar Engineered is the newest trim for the lineup. It offers more excitement to the drive and is meant to compete more within its class.
The 2020 has simply gotten more comfortable with its offerings.
There are definitely more pros than cons. You get a luxurious interior and an array of powertrain options.
If we were going to complain about anything, it would be the fuel. It takes premium gas to run and it’s not known to be the most fuel-efficient SUV on the market.
Still, the 2020 XC60 is priced well within its class of being a luxury SUV.
2022 XC60
As one of the newest model years, the 2022 Volvo XC60 really has hit stride. It’s in the second generation of the SUV lineup, though it has just gone through a major facelift.
MotorTrend issued it the 2022 Best Luxury SUVs award.
The names of the engines have changed, so instead of the T5 and T6, you’ll find the B5 and B6. The gas-powered engines also have a few new hp and torque figures.
You get the same four trim levels – and that includes access to the Recharge hybrid models.
The Volvo XC60 Hybrid is one of the more affordable hybrid cars with high range.
The MSRP is up a bit from previous years, with the initial cost at $43,745.
Still, there are a lot of standard features, especially when it comes to tech. You’ll find the advanced technologies in safety and connectivity.
The Bowers and Wilkins system is particularly worthy to note, especially with room modes to give you incredible acoustics.
There’s only one downside that we can think of – with it being so new, it will be hard to find used models. Most people who get the 2022 XC60 are likely to hold onto them for a few years.
What Volvo XC60 Years Should You Avoid?
The XC60 is a great vehicle with a lot of amazing features. It’s also considered to be a luxury vehicle with an affordable price tag.
Still, there are some complications – particularly with some recalls and some missing features.
To ensure you get the most for your money, there are a few XC60 model years that you should avoid. This can provide you with a better driving experience. It can also save you on the overall cost of ownership.
2010 XC60
The 2010 is the very first year of the XC60. As such, many of the problems were just being discovered.
Here are the most common issues with Volvo cars.
A number of issues are because of the engine. It’s common for owners to experience a drop in performance and have other repairs.
There have also been reports of the fuel pump failing. This kind of repair can cost around $2,000 to fix.
Interior accessories, while meant to be luxurious, have been faulty as well.
Only a handful of the issues were covered in recalls. In total, there were three recalls issued for the 2010 model year.
The recalls focused on front seat belts, issues with the integrity of the roof, and a software issue that would affect some of the fuel pump electronics.
In total, there were three trim levels launched, with AWD as either available or standard. The AWD helped to make the XC60 popular – and it’s why it continues to be available on the market.
While there are some great deals on used XC60 models from 2010, they can end up being more costly than you think. It’s best to look at some of the other model years altogether.
2015 XC60
The XC60 in 2015 had a number of reported problems.
The model year was characterized by reports of coolant leaking into the transmission.
There have also been complaints about loud whines when starting up the engine.
The 2015 is still part of the first generation. The only difference is that it was part of a refresh where there were several aesthetic changes. A few colors were added, too.
Only one recall was released for this model year. It involved a steel cable that helped to secure the front seat belts.
Meanwhile, the concerns about the coolant and the engine were left for the owner to deal with. The cost can be significant to get these issues under control.
2019 XC60
It’s hard not to list the 2019 XC60 in a list of model years to avoid.
First, there were seven recalls – a high number that can immediately tell you something is off.
The recalls focused on everything from the fuel pump to forward collision avoidance. Many of these were safety issues that could lead to crashes if not caught early enough.
With electrical problems, too, it shows that a number of things needed to be addressed with recalls.
The 2019 was part of the second generation. At this point in the vehicle’s history, we wouldn’t have expected to see too many problems. Unfortunately, there were more than in previous years.
The problems with the 2019 XC60 continue with the wheels. Many owners have talked about how they have made loud noises and even been known to fall off while driving.
Considering that a used 2019 model won’t provide that much of a cost savings, it’s best to avoid them altogether.
There are plenty of better model years for you to invest in.
What Are Some Typical Problems with the Volvo XC60 Models?
The problems of the Volvo XC60 can vary depending on model year and trim.
Overall, many owners find that the problems are found occasionally with all of the model years.
Some of the most typical problems include:
- Loading problems with the satellite navigation
- Faults with the climate control system
- Issues with power steering
- Reductions in engine performance
Regular maintenance can help to address problems early on.
If you want to learn more about the typical problems of the XC60, check out our more in-depth article about them.
Sources:
ⓘ The information in this article is based on data from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall reports, consumer complaints submitted to the NHTSA, reliability ratings from J.D. Power, auto review and rating sites such as Edmunds, specialist forums, etc. We analyzed this data to provide insights into the best and worst years for these vehicle models.