I should tell you before I start this review that I have Volvo ‘form’. In the Noughties I owned two XC90s, Volvo’s biggest car and the godsend I needed with three squabbling children split between two rows of seats. So reviewing the top of the range XC60 Ultra feels like home, but with a 2024 upgrade of, well, pretty much everything. 

This has been Muddy’s first-ever video car review and we’ve been so excited to do it because we know that most women (and some men, too) don’t want to sit through talk of horsepower and torque or B-Pillars (look it up, I had to!). We also know that you, us, we, the women of the UK, 51% of the population, are instrumental in making decisions on cars. And schools. And houses. And who’s coming to dinner. Yeah, pretty much everything actually. So we want car reviews that talk to us.

Watch the social review below or just sit with your cuppa and read the version below!

The basics

OK, let me make some introductions here. This is the Ultra XC60, the top of the range XC60 model of which there are three – Core, Plus and Ultra. This is smaller than the seven-seater XC90, but honestly it still feels pretty grand and is a sizeable SUV in its own right. It’s also available in a range of muted, elegant colours – the one I reviewed is denim blue, but the ruby red looks chic too.

Helpfully, in these days of EV charging panic, this version is a Plug-in Hybrid. What does that mean? Basically, it’s a car with a back-up plan for those of us who don’t fancy getting marooned on the motorway when the electric battery hits empty.

How far does a tank/charge take you?

The car can do over 40 miles on full charge – ideal for school runs, local meetings, supermarket trip or some bendy gym action as you’re very likely to keep within the electric capability. Ergo, it’s costing you next to nothing. However, if you run out of charge or need more power in a hurry – maybe you need to overtake quickly, for example – the Volvo XC60 Plug In Hybrid will automatically decide whether to switch to petrol to give you the drive you need. A full tank of petrol will give you 460 miles, add on the electric charge, and you’ll enjoy 500 miles of beautiful driving.

The drive

First thing to tell you, it’s surprisingly zippy. You’ll do your 0-60mph in 4.6 seconds! More importantly perhaps, it drives like velvet (it’s a technical term boys, look it up). There’s barely any engine or road noise, even when it’s in petrol mode and it’s a smooth, relaxing, experience with plenty of space front and back. Internally, the seats are ergonomically designed with knee, lumber and side support, and there’s a seat extension that offers extra support for those with long legs which, lamentably I had zero need for. There’s also a sky light that extends to the back seats to keep it feeling light and airy.

Safety

Safety remains Volvo’s hot calling card. Did you know that in 1964, Volvo invented the three-point seat belt, refused to patent it and instead gifted it to the world? More recently they’ve put dog seatbelts in their cars. So yeah, they’re really into helping their passengers stay in one piece. It makes Volvo an immediate contender, particularly for families and for those whose driving, like mine, is a little, shall we say, idiosyncratic.

The XC60 will keep you in your lane with its lane-keeping aid technology that guides you gently back into lane should you drift. There’s a pinging sound every time you go over the speed limit which you can switch off if you find it irritating, but, like a faithful dog with a ball, will return every time you start the car afresh – resistance is probably futile, so just accept you’ll become a better driver whether you want to or not!

What else? Well, the light on the side mirrors flashes to warn you there’s a car approaching your blind spot, so you don’t attempt to change lanes; and all Volvos now have a top speed limit of 112mph (imposed by the manufacturer), which I kind of like because, seriously, who needs to go faster than that?

Perhaps best of all for those of us that have a habit of reversing into poles, trees, hedges or other people’s bumpers, the car will automatically brake if you happen to reverse too fast, or look like you’re about to hit something behind you. For drivers like me with a bumper that looks like it’s been in a war zone, that’s a godsend.

Extras to get excited about

The heated seats and a heated steering wheel are pretty standard, but Volvo also has an app that connects your phone to the car meaning you can instruct it to heat up, cool down, and even unfreeze the windscreen. Can you be bothered to use it? Ask yourself that question when it’s freezing outside and your kids refuse to move.

There’s an air purification system which keeps pollens and pollutants out of the car – a game changer for hay fever or asthma sufferers – and there’s also a ventilation system for those choosing the perforated leather seats that can blow cooling area under and around your seat – a big hit with the menopausers and summer heatwave escapers.

And the tour de force? Save on the masseuse – front of car passenger and driver both have massage seats.

Practicalities

If you’re used to lots of twiddly knobs on your dashboard you might be a bit daunted by Volvo’s version at first, but what I quickly realised is that I can just verbally tell the car what to do via a button on my steering wheel, rather than prod the dashboard while driving. You can even ask the car ‘assistant’ to turn up the heat, change radio channel – pretty much everything.

You’ll like the large portrait dashboard which mirrors how we view things on a phone, so it feels easy and familiar. From here you can access the Google android system, meaning you have access to the Google apps, Google Maps, and Google Assistant. You can also access Spotify and terrify your children with your horrific playlists on the Bowers & Wilkins sound system that plays so loud you’ll have flashbacks to your clubbing days.

Other extras worthy of a mention include the wireless mobile charger – just lay it down and off it goes, it couldn’t be easier. There are two USP ports at the front and two at the back, so your kids don’t whine at you to plug them in. And my absolute favourite, hands-free boot opening for when you have too many bags and not enough arms. Just have your key within half a metre of the boot, jiggle your foot under the bumper and, hey presto!, it’ll open for you.

The boot

Firstly, the height of the boot opening can be altered so shorties like me (5ft 4 ins when blatantly lying) can open it. Secondly, it’s pretty roomy – even with the hybrid version, with the electric battery cleverly stored in the dead space below the arm rest. At 483L capacity it’s standard in boot size, to be honest, plenty of room for school bags, multiple suitcases for holiday and the weekly big food shop. If you’re thinking of moving house – erm, just hire a van?

The Muddy Verdict

Good for: Families front and centre will love this car, but its elegant lines, smooth drive and safety creds widens its appeal.

Not for: The Volvo XC60 is refined and sophisticated yet unflashy. If your aim is to turn heads, move along. For those NOT ferrying multiple passengers, the smaller EX30, EX40, or EC40 might be a more practical option.

The damage: From £47,615 on the road for the Plug-in Hybrid entry Core level, going up to £69,385 for the bells and whistles Ultra version. 

Volvo UK | New and Used Cars | Official Volvo Website