Hardly a year seems to go by without Volvo updating the engines in the XC60. On paper, the D3 AWD sits in the sweet spot for all-weather towing with reasonable economy. Expect 41.5mpg on the combined cycle, according to official figures.
The 30-60mph time of 20.1 seconds might not look impressive, but the XC60 feels much quicker than this suggests, and the Geartronic auto does a good job of marshalling the engine’s resources. The Al-Ko ATC sensors showed very little movement from the caravan, even when towing at high speeds. Through the lane-change test the Volvo was composed and never pulled off course by the caravan.
In regular driving, the Volvo matches a comfortable ride with tidy handling. The cabin is stylish and well built, with enough space for five passengers. Our practicality judges gave the XC60 their seal of approval, thanks to its generous luggage space, a trailer stability program and a thorough handbook. However, the towing electrics are positioned some way under the car.