2011 Volvo XC60

The 2011 Volvo XC60 is offered in four different trim levels namely 3.2, 3.2 R-Design, T6, and T6 R-Design. The base 3.2 trim comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, a power driver seat with memory functions, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, cruise control, an 8-speaker sound system, a CD player, iPod/USB audio interface, and roof rails as standard. 

The 3.2 R-Design is a sporty variant and it gets additions like 20-inch wheels, adaptive xenon headlights, sport-tuned suspension and steering, panoramic sunroof, privacy glass, and special styling elements in the interior and exterior. The T6 and T6 R-Design get a more powerful turbocharged engine. 

We recommend

We recommend going for the base 3.2 trim as it offers the best value for your money. The 3.2 R-Design doesn’t make much sense as it gets a sportier setup but the engine is not powerful enough for that sort of treatment. The T6 gets extra 60 horses under the hood but becomes very expensive. If you want the turbocharged variant, then only you can consider getting the T6 R-Design for the sportier setup. But for most people, the base 3.2 trim will work just fine.

The Volvo XC60 is not known for its great performance or handling and we all know that very well. The standard engine that powers the 2011 Volvo XC60 is a 3.2-liter inline-6 engine that produces a peak power of 240 horses and a peak torque of 236 pound-feet. If you go for the T6 or T6 R-Design trims, then you get a more powerful 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 engine. The engine produces 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. 

Both the engines are mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with manual shift controls. The base engine produces enough power to give you a comfortable drive around the town or out on the highway. You will never feel a lack of power if you are driving in a relaxed manner. The turbocharged engine, however, feels more alive and eager to launch from a standstill. The XC60 with its base engine takes 6.6 seconds to reach from 0 to 60 mph.

The 2011 Infiniti EX has the most powerful engine on offer in the competition. The Infiniti EX is powered by a 3.5L V6 that produces 297 horsepower and beats all the competitors with an evident margin. It is also the fastest car to reach from 0 to 60 mph. The Audi Q5 is the slowest car in terms of outright acceleration while the BMW X3 performs better than the Audi and Volvo counterparts. 

All the crossovers in the segment offer pretty decent fuel economy which makes them an even better choice. The Volvo XC60 has the same story and it offers very decent fuel economy with the base engine. The standard engine on the Volvo XC60 manages to deliver 18 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg of combined fuel economy. However, the fuel economy figures become worse when it comes to the turbocharged engine. The fuel efficiency falls to 17 mpg in the city, 22 mpg on the highway, and 19 mpg of combined fuel economy.

The BMW X3 offers the best fuel efficiency in the competition but it also comes with the smallest fuel tank on offer. The Infinity EX has the least fuel-efficient engine but it also manages the same with the largest fuel tank. The Infiniti EX offers the best highway range with its 20-gallon fuel tank. The Volvo XC60 comes with an 18.5-gallon fuel tank which offers a better range compared to the rivals like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3.

The Volvo XC60 offers one of the most pleasing interiors in the segment. The moment you step inside the XC60, you can feel the richness in the cabin. You can go for the real oak wood trim for the center stack which is an optional feature. It makes the car even more upscale if you combine it with the optional dual-tone upholstery. Space is not an issue inside the cabin and it can comfortably accommodate five passengers. The front rows offer ample space for the drive and the co-passenger. 

The driving position is also very nice. All the controls fall well within the reach of the driver. The controls are very easy to use, except for some of the controls that feel outdated. The rear seats are also very spacious and comfortable. It is one of the crossovers that can actually seat three passengers without compromising their comfort in the rear seat. The Volvo XC60 also comes with the largest cargo area in the competition at 30.8 cubic feet.

The Infiniti EX offers the best-in-class legroom for the front row passenger and the driver. But it misses out with a very big margin in the rear-seat legroom area. It also offers the least cargo area in the competition at 18.6 cubic feet. The other three cars balance the space very well for front and rear passengers. The Volvo takes the lead in the cargo area department leaving all the rivals behind. Standout exterior features include:

• Power driver seat with memory functions
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Cruise control
• Privacy glass
• Real oak wood trim in the interior (Optional)

How good is the infotainment system of the 2011 Volvo XC60?

Volvo has taken care of your entertainment needs inside the cabin very well and provides a very generous list of infotainment features as standard. The infotainment includes an 8-speaker sound system as standard. It also comes equipped with a plethora of connectivity options like Bluetooth, USB ports, steering wheel audio controls, and iPod/USB audio interface. It also comes with a CD player, satellite radio, and HD radio. You can also go for the Multimedia package which will add a 12-speaker Dynaudio surround-sound audio system, a navigation system, and a backup camera. The infotainment features include:

• CD player
• Satellite radio and HD radio
• iPod/USB audio interface
• Bluetooth connectivity
• 8-speaker sound system
• 12-speaker Dynaudio surround-sound audio system (Available)

The Volvo XC60 has the best exterior look in the segment. The front gets the signature Volvo grille which is encircled in chrome strips. The Volvo badge sits in the middle of the grille in the chrome circle. The headlights at the sides look very appealing and the sleek daytime running lights are placed right beside the headlights. 

The 20” wheels with the R-Design look very well with the overall styling of the car. The roof rails also add to the overall stance from the side of the XC60. The rear gets very long taillamps that touch the roof at the top and come all the way to the tailgates. The overall design of the crossover looks very subtle and matches the purpose of the vehicle.

The BMW X3 is the longest crossover in the competition with a very slight margin. All the other rivals also have very similar overall dimensions. The Infiniti EX has the least width which means less shoulder room for the passengers. It also has the least height, whereas the XC60 has the highest stance. The Volvo XC60 has the shortest wheelbase but it makes the space inside the cabin very well. Standout exterior features include:

• 17”/20” alloy wheels
• Adaptive xenon headlights
• Rood rails
• Panoramic sunroof
• Privacy glass 

Safety and Volvo are just like a synonym in the automotive industry. Volvo is known for making one of the safest cars in the market. Volvo always keeps their car updated with the latest safety tech and some ahead of the time safety tech are also available with the Volvo cars. The story is no different for the 2011 Volvo XC60. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has given 5 out of 5 stars to the Volvo XC60. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has also given a “Good” safety rating to the Volvo XC60 and has also given it their “Top Safety Pick” for the year 2011. The safety features include:

• Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
• Pre-Collision Safety System
• Stability Control
• Traction Control
• Tire Pressure Monitoring
• Emergency Braking Assist
• Passenger Head Restraint Whiplash Protection System

The 2011 Volvo XC60 comes with one of the best appearances from the outside in the segment and the interior design is also better than the rivals. It also offers a spacious cabin that is practical enough to accommodate five passengers with utmost comfort. The standard feature list is also very impressive and safety is never a concern with the Volvo cars. If you are looking for a crossover in the segment, you can consider the Volvo XC60 for various good reasons.