Used Volvo XC60 cars for sale

Used Volvo XC60 pros and cons

+ Cool interior design

+ Sleek, upmarket exterior

+ Loads of safety technology

- Pretty boring to drive

- Boot isn’t the biggest

- Infotainment system is far from intuitive

Is a used Volvo XC60 a good car?

The premium SUV market is a crowded one, but the Volvo XC60 cuts a dash from the predictable styling of alternatives thanks to smart exterior styling and a slick, minimalist interior. As the mid-sized SUV in Volvo’s three-car SUV line-up, it’s something of a Goldilocks car when it comes to size and practicality.

When the second generation went on sale in 2017, it sported the now-iconic Thor’s Hammer headlight design that gives all Volvos a unique presence on the road. It’s a similar story at the rear, with the prominent hook-shaped tail lights.

Volvo didn’t put all its effort into the exterior, though, because the interior is arguably even more impressive. There’s a real sense of cool and calm from the minimalist design and cool colour palette. The infotainment screen looks great but it’s not particularly intuitive to navigate its myriad menus.

The cabin is otherwise lovely, with big, comfortable seats and lots of leg and headroom in the back, where you can easily fit three adults. The boot is likely roomy enough for most at 468 litres, but most competitors have more capacity – the Audi Q5, Mercedes GLC and BMW X3, for example.

You can’t really go wrong with the engines, which are all strong and economical enough. Petrol is likely the best all-rounder for most, but if you do really big miles, the diesel might work out cheaper in the long run. There’s also plug-in hybrid options that will be cheap to run if you can keep them charged, but cost a bit more to buy.

Whichever engine you go for, the XC60 is a relaxing car to drive. Sure, it’s not the most fun in corners and it can get a little jiggly in town if you have big alloy wheels, but out on the motorway it’s one of the most comfortable ways to pile on miles.

Regardless of all that, one of the XC60’s biggest selling points, as with any Volvo, is the safety kit on offer. It’s one of the safest SUVs on sale and that makes it particularly appealing as a family car.

What to look for when buying a used Volvo XC60

If you want the best ride quality, look out for the air suspension upgrade. Unfortunately, it’s a very rare box to have been ticked, but the good news is the standard suspension rides well enough.

It’s also worth knowing that entry-level Momentum trims are very well-equipped, so unless you really want the sporty looks of R-Design or pricey upgrades in Inscription, the best value is found in the cheapest version.

When test driving the car, ask to see the long-term fuel economy figures. There have been reports of disgruntled owners who have seen a big difference between the official figures and those seen in the real world.

Otherwise there’s very little else to note when buying a used Volvo XC60, which has always scored well for reliability in ownership surveys. So complete the typical basic used car buying checks, such as looking for exterior bodywork damage and any interior fittings that have come loose, checking the electrics work properly and making sure it drives straight and true with no unusual sounds.

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