7 PROBLEMS With Volvo XC60 You MUST Know!

The Volvo XC60 is hiding seven problems that most buyers are only going to discover after the purchase. If you're about to spend over $50,000 on a luxury SUV, you can't afford these surprises. Most buyers expect worry-free Swedish quality, but these seven problems with the Volvo XC60 are telling another story. Number seven, cargo area could be bigger. The XC60 is big by compact crossover standards, so you're probably expecting a cargo hold to match. Behind the rear seats, 21.6 cubic feet is going to be waiting for your gear. Fold those seats down, and the space is growing to 49.8 cubic feet. On paper, that sounds perfectly fine. But real-world testing is telling a more modest story. With the seats folded, it can fit 20 carry-on suitcases. That's placing the XC60 squarely mid-pack among its rivals not ahead of them. The smaller details are hurting it, too. Interior cubby storage is limited. The sole cargo area bin is also among the smallest independent testers have measured. The BMW X3 and Genesis GV70 are claiming more room on paper as well. And if you're choosing the plug-in hybrid, you're giving up the spare tire under the cargo floor. You can plan around a smaller cargo hold. But the way this SUV is going to treat you on broken pavement is much harder to ignore. 6. Firm Ride, Dull Handling Every SUV is making a trade between comfort and agility. The XC60, unfortunately, is coming up short on both sides of that deal. Start with the handling. The steering isn't going to offer much road feel, and the chassis is tuned for calm, not excitement. Genesis, BMW, and Acura are all delivering more engaging driving dynamics. Even its 6.5-second 0-to-60 sprint is trailing the Audi Q5 and Mercedes GLC by about a second. Normally, a less sporty SUV is paying you back with a plush, relaxed ride. Few things are more draining than feeling every crack and expansion joint on a long highway trip. But here, owners are noting that rough road impacts are making it into the cabin. U.S. News is also calling the ride pretty firm on uneven ground. The fix exists, but it's going to cost you. The adjustable air suspension is an $1,800 option, and it's only offered on the top ultra-trim. Meanwhile, the larger 21-inch wheels are only going to send more vibrations through the seats. A stiff ride is frustrating, but it's not the only area where the XC60 is starting to feel like yesterday's SUV. 5. Aging Design This generation of the XC60 debuted eight years ago. In the car world, that's close to retirement age, and it's beginning to show. Volvo is trying to freshen things up with a light refresh. There's a larger grille with a diagonal pattern, darker taillight shrouds, new wheels, and three new paint colors. But the basic shape, proportions, and architecture are staying where they were almost a decade ago. Independent testers are putting it bluntly. Its list of lows includes showing its age despite mild refresh. Some reviewers are also pointing out that the new 11.2-inch screen looks a little tacked on. Meanwhile, the Audi Q5 is arriving freshly redesigned, and the Mercedes GLC is wearing a much newer body. That matters when the price is starting at $51,095. Fully loaded, it's going to climb past $68,000, right into the territory of newer, more modern rivals. In simple terms, you're paying new car money for a design that's nearly a decade old. An older design can still age gracefully. Underneath, though, the electrical system is where the real headaches are starting. 4. 12-volt battery and electrical problems The XC60 is running a surprisingly complex electrical architecture. Depending on the version, it's using a 12-volt starter battery, a support battery, or a 48-volt mild hybrid system. Owners are reporting low battery warnings, unexpected drain, and start-slash-stop becoming unavailable. In more serious cases, the SUV is refusing to unlock or start at all. And this isn't just forum chatter. Volvo's own technical journal TJ36189 is addressing 12-volt battery drain and no start conditions. Nothing ruins a busy morning faster than a car that refuses to wake up. That's exactly the scenario some XC60 owners are facing after the SUV sits overnight. The tricky part is that a new battery often isn't going to fix it. Bulletin TJ35976 is recommending software updates rather than automatically replacing the battery or its management module. In simple terms, the problem is often living in the code, not in the battery itself. So if you're shopping for one, confirm that every software update has been installed, ask for a full battery and charging test, and treat cars with repeated battery replacements with extra caution. Electrical gremlins are annoying. Once we move under the hood, though, the problems are about to get far pricier. 3. Gas engine issues Every XC60 is built around a version of Volvo's turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Paired with a 48-volt starter generator, it's making 247 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. On the road, it's going to feel responsive enough, but this engine family is carrying some serious baggage. Used car specialist Autocar is flagging broken pistons, crankshaft seal oil leaks, and direct injection faults. These are potentially expensive failures, even though they won't affect every single engine. The T6 version, with both a turbocharger and a supercharger, is adding even more complexity. Reliability reports are pointing to premature supercharger clutch wear. The result can be reduced performance and unusual engine behavior. On the mild hybrid engines, the 48-volt starter generator is bringing its own warning messages 2. Infotainment Glitches The XC60 is running Google's Android Automotive platform, with Google Maps and Google Assistant built right in. Volvo is now pairing it with a larger 11.2-inch screen and faster Qualcomm Snapdragon chips. That sounds promising, but the system's track record is far from spotless. Owners are reporting frozen screens, slow responses, random reboots, missing audio, and Bluetooth dropouts. In some cases, the center display is taking 20 to 30 seconds to restart. Picture yourself backing out of a tight parking spot when the screen suddenly goes black. In the XC60, that's more than a missing radio station. The infotainment is tied directly into climate settings, cameras, navigation, and parking assistance. When it freezes, those functions can disappear right along with it. Volvo is pushing out software updates to tackle these bugs, including a fix for radios with no sound. It's also launching service actions for cars that missed several over-the-air updates in a row. Some glitches are clearing up with a simple restart, but others are going to need a dealer visit. Before buying, test the cameras, Bluetooth, voice commands and audio, and ask about outstanding software campaigns. A glitchy screen is irritating, but the most complex XC60 of all is hiding the costliest problems yet. 1. Plug-in Hybrid System Problems The XC60 plug-in hybrid is the flagship of the range. A gas engine is driving the front wheels while an electric motor is powering the rears. Together, they're producing a combined 455 horsepower. That's a seriously impressive figure, but it's also bringing a long list of extra hardware Owners are reporting hybrid system warnings, reduced power modes, charging interruptions, and trouble switching between electric and gas power. Some of these are software faults, while others are involving real high-voltage components. The biggest red flag is the ERAD, or Electric Rear Axle Drive. Reliability reports are linking earlier examples to failures, with juddering rear-end noises and reduced electric propulsion. Not every hybrid warning is pointing to a failing high-voltage battery, though. The causes can vary widely, which is making diagnosis tricky. The onboard charger is another weak point. If it fails, the SUV won't charge from an external outlet, even though the gas engine keeps running. In simple terms, you're paying a premium for electric driving that might suddenly stop working. Add possible inverter and hybrid control faults, and the repair bills are going to climb fast. Before signing anything, insist on a specialist diagnostic inspection. Ask for a full charging test and proof that electric-only driving works. The XC60 is still delivering a gorgeous cabin, supportive seats, and genuine Volvo safety, but it's also carrying an aging design, a firm ride, and a cargo hold that's merely average. The bigger concerns, though, are sitting beneath the surface. Battery drain, engine faults, glitchy software, and fragile hybrid hardware are turning this calm SUV into a gamble. Its predicted reliability score of 74 out of 100 is only average. That number is telling the real story. Inspect carefully and the XC60 can still reward you. Skip that step and its biggest problems are going to find you first. If you're considering German competition, keep in mind that they are far from flawless too. The BMW X3 is a perfect example, so make sure to check it out in our next video. From reliability issues to practical limitations, there are several potential deal breakers.