Dear Drive… why is the Volvo XC60 the 2021 DCOTY Best Medium Luxury SUV?

Hanah emailed us and asked:

The second-generation XC60 isn’t the newest kid on the block, it arrived in Australia back in 2017, but Volvo have kept it up to date by way of technology and equipment inclusions. Plus, the design was a strong point when it launched, and as you note, still holds up today.

Bottom line, it might be five-years old, but the XC60 is just a really well sorted car in every key area.

It might not be as dynamically proficient as a BMW X3, as technology laden as a Mercedes-Benz GLB, or as functional on all-terrain as a Land Rover Discovery Sport, but it manages a bit of everything well, and perhaps most importantly, does so while offering a sense of real luxury.

The seats are comfortable and supportive, and the optional Nappa leather is particularly soft and supple. Fit and finish is of a very high standard and some of the touch points, like the knurled dials on the center console add a level of special occasion to the cabin.

There’s plenty of room in the boot (505L) and good space for rear passengers, as well as some great family friendly features like the integrated booster seats on each of the outboard positions.

All of this helped position the Volvo as a practical, luxurious and value-packed contender in its segment, but what gave it the final edge in the 2021 Drive Car of the Year awards, was the inclusion of a plug-in hybrid driveline (PHEV) as an option. However, since the awards were announced, the 311kW/640Nm XC60 T8 Polestar PHEV has been discontinued with a new XC60 Recharge PHEV due early in 2022.

The new car will err toward a comfort-centric tune as opposed to the sports-oriented Polestar, which will further enhance the XC60’s luxury appeal.

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