2022 Volvo XC60 B6 Inscription Review

Intro

The premium compact SUV market is flooded with options at the moment. Not only do we have offerings from the established German brands, but we also see new entries from Japan, Korea, and the states. To gain a following in this segment, you will need to be significantly different from the rest. 

Volvo’s XC60 is exactly that. The brand’s unique Scandinavian approach results in a striking SUV that is classy, premium, and thoughtfully designed inside and out. It is a breath of fresh air that reminds us what unassuming luxury is. 

For 2022, a new 48V Mild Hybrid system is added to every XC60 except for the Recharge models. It is a part of Volvo's commitment to sell only hybrid or full-electric vehicles. In my opinion, the standard hybrid offering is a pragmatic approach to meaningfully reduce our carbon footprint. 

Thanks to Volvo Canada, I had the chance to test drive the 2022 Volvo XC60 B6 Inscription for one week. Below is my unbiased review. 

Exterior

The XC60 may not immediately catch your eye on the road, but the longer you stare at it, the more you will appreciate its beauty. The timeless exterior design of the second generation XC60 hasn’t really changed since its debut in 2017. But even with just minor upgrades, the XC60 remains one of the most contemporary and elegant SUVs on the market.

The distinctive Thor’s Hammer headlights and the vertical-fin grille gives the front end a serious look. The sharp creases and angular panels make the XC60 look modern and sporty. A small amount of chrome is tastefully added to highlight the premium nature of the car. 

From the side, the long roof and low stance of the XC60 reminds me of the iconic Volvo wagon. The car feels light on its feet thanks to sculptural door panels and a set of giant 20” wheels. 

The three quarter rear view of the XC60 is my favorite. It showcases the signature Volvo rear lamps and the redesigned bumper. The tail pips now exist under the vehicle and are no longer visible from the back. This gives the rear profile of the XC60 the resemblance of a pure electric vehicle. It also gives the car a cleaner, less cluttered look.

Interior

The interior of the XC60 remains virtually unchanged from the previous year, but the combination of blond ventilated Nappa leather and light driftwood interior gives the car a warm, spacious, and premium atmosphere. Volvo has pretty much standardized the interior design of its cars. But with different trim and leather options, each Volvo can feel drastically different inside. 

Other than that, the minimalist Scandinavian design is as elegant as ever. The minimalist layout and subtle metal trims reminds me more of a designer furniture than the interior of a car. Only the tiny flag on the chrome trim and on the seat reveal the car’s Swedish root. Below the portrait style screen is a row of physical switch gears that provide quick access to control audio volume, track playback, emergency light, and windshield defrosters. In the center console is a crystal shift lever and a knurled twist knob to start and stop the engine.  

The front seats are nicely contoured to provide excellent lumbar and lateral support. In our Inscription trim tester, the front seats are heated and ventilated. It also features the optional massage functionality that simply brings the seat comfort to the next level. Unfortunately, the heated steering wheel is only offered as part of the $1000 climate package. With the package, you also get heated rear seats and headlamp washers.

The rear seats provide generous headroom and legroom. The spaciousness of the cabin is further amplified by the massive panoramic sunroof. Our tester has the option for the driver to electronically fold the rear headrests down with the touch of a button. This provides a better rearward visibility from the mirror. 

Infotainment

The 2022 XC60 boast a new Android-based infotainment system. It is noticeably quicker and more straightforward to operate than the old Sensus system. However, it does take one a little while to figure out where all the options are. Moreover, the seat and cabin climate controls don’t have dedicated physical buttons. To change the settings, you will need to tap the small icons on the touchscreen. 

The 9” tablet style portrait screen behaves exactly like a smartphone. Swiping left and right reveals additional menus, and there is a dedicated home button at the bottom of the screen. Saying “Hey Google” activates the virtual assistance of the Android Auto system. I actually had to disable the voice activation of the car because the command triggers both my phone and the car’s virtual assistance at the same time. 

The standard 12.3 digital instrument cluster is gorgeous. The entire screen can be utilized to display navigational information. Our tester comes with the Advance Package which adds an excellent head-up display, 360 degree camera, Pilot Assist, and additional driver assist functions. 

The 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system that comes with our tester sounds amazing. The beautifully crafted metallic speaker grilles also gives the interior a classy, elegant vibe. 

Safety and Driver Assistance

Volvo’s reputation in safety is well recognized. The new SPA platform provides a strong platform to build the car on. 

Standard driver-assist and active safety features include:

• Forward collision warning with pedestrian detection
• Automatic emergency braking
• Traffic sign recognition
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Automatic high-beams

R-Design and Inscription trim also get front parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers. 

The 2022 Volvo XC60 is not yet rated by either the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing. The 2021 model received a five star overall safety score from NHTSA and was a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS. I would expect the 2022 model to receive the same ratings. 

Driving

Unlike the recharge trim, which is a plug-in hybrid model. The B6 version of our XC60 can not run on electricity alone. Instead, it is based on a turbocharged and supercharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine that produces 295hp of power and 310 lb-ft of torque. Adding to the petrol engine is a 48v mild hybrid system. The electric motor of the mild hybrid system changes the power distribution of the drivetrain and recoup some of the lost energy during braking for increased efficiency. The peak power and torque are both delivered at lower engine rpms compared to the T6 drivetrain that it replaces. The combined power is coupled to the wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission. 

This is a smooth, yet potent drivetrain capable of launching the car from 0-100km/hr in roughly 6 seconds. Even with the air suspension, the ride is on the firmer side, but never uncomfortable. It makes the XC60 feel planted in fast corners but retains the relaxed attitude cursing down highways. The steering is nicely weighted and provides meaningful road feedback. Even with its relaxed demeanor, the XC60 is fun and engaging when pushed hard. 

In terms of fuel economy, the 2022 XC60 B6 is rated at 9.9L/100km combined. After one week of mostly city drives, we obtained a fuel economy rating of 10.9L/100km. Not bad for a SUV this size, but slightly worse than some of its hybrid rivals. 

Cargo Space & Storage

The XC60 offers 613L of cargo space behind the second row seats. With the 40/60 rear seats folded, that cargo space is increased to 1410L. A ski pass-through lets you store longer items without folding the rear seats down. The power tailgate can be foot activated, and there is a 12V charging port in the trunk. Under the trunk floor is a spare tire and the air suspension storage tanks. With the air suspension, there are two buttons that let you raise or lower the rear of the car for easier loading/unloading of cargoes. 

In-cabin storage options are plentiful, but the center console area could benefit from more storage space. The center console storage bin is on the smaller side so is the storage tray in front of the shift lever. 

The glove compartment is big, so are the front door pockets. The rear door pockets are significantly smaller. Rear passengers also enjoy mesh pockets behind the front seat backs and additional cup holders popping out of the center folding armrest.

Verdict

The 2022 Volvo XC60 is a luxury SUV that is unassuming but beautiful inside out. The added 48V mild hybrid system provides the XC60 with more low end torque, better fuel economy, and smoother power delivery. The new Android-based infotainment system is an improvement from the previous generation, but I still wish some of the basic functions get their dedicated physical buttons. The base price of $62,000 CAD is very reasonable, but like all premium vehicles, the final price goes up quickly with each additional package. Still, our fully loaded $78,000 CAD tester feels worth every penny every time I step in. 

Test Vehicle

2022 Volvo XC60 B6 Inscription

MSRP

$62,450 CAD base. $77,765 CAD as tested

Color

Silver Dawn Metallic