The car market has changed over the years. In the old days, it was cool to have a small car that had two seats and the engine took up most of the space. Nowadays, people seem to be more interested in bigger cars. You tend to feel safer in a car that is bigger and you are able to do traveling because there is room for all your luggage.
A lot of car customers are now turning to compact SUVs as their mode of transport and it does not matter if you have a family or not. People want to drive around in a car that is safe, spacious, and feels like you are driving around in a car that represents luxury.
According to MotorTrend, the top-rated compact SUV for 2021 is the Volvo XC60. We are going to take a closer look at this car and find out why it was the top-rated SUV for this year.
A deeper look into the 2021 Volvo XC60 and why it was been rated one of the top compact SUVs for the year.
The performance of the 2021 Volvo XC60
The new Volvo XC60 comes with a standard 2.0L I-4 engine that has been paired with 8-speed automatic transmission. Now, depending on which model you get, will determine if the engine is either turbocharged, turbo as well as supercharged, turbocharged, supercharged or electrified. Let’s take a look at which model gives you which engine.
XC60 T5 FWD and XC60 T5 AWD
With these models, you get a 2.0-liter turbo that can give you up to 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.
XC60 T6 AWD
This model comes with a 2.0 liter turbo and supercharged engine. It has a horsepower reading of an astonishing 316 and you can get up to 295 lb-ft of torque.
XC60 T8 eAWD and T8 Polestar Engineered plugin hybrid
This model comes with environmentally friendly bells and whistles. You get a 2.0 liter turbo and supercharged I-4 as well as an electric motor that is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Each of these models has a slightly different horsepower reading. The T8 eAWD has 400 horsepower and 472 lb-ft combined powering this model whereas the T8 Polestar has a 415 horsepower reading and a torque reading of 472 lb-ft.
The best model and Trim option that the car comes with
This Volvo comes with a few different engine options. As tempting as it might be to make sure that you purchase the fastest car in the range, there are a few things you need to consider. It is great buying a car that sounds really fast on paper but at the end of the day, you also need to make sure that you buy a car that is not only fast but feels great to drive and gives you a smooth and hassle-free drive as well.
The T5 option is not only the cheapest option in the model ranges but it is also the smoothest and is the most refined. It might nit be as powerful as the other models but, you can rest assured that there is enough power underneath this hood to make sure you get to your destination in comfort as well as in a timely manner.
When it comes to the trim design, it has been advised by car enthusiasts that you do not look at getting the R-Design. Turns out, the sport suspension is not consistent. You are better off choosing the Momentum or Inscription trim. Both of these trims give you a laid back, a chilled and comfort-orientated vibe that this Volvo SUV has been designed to give you.
It has been advised that you stay away from the larger alloy wheel options. The larger wheels tend to make the drive more uncomfortable on poorly maintained roads and tend to produce exuberant amounts of tyre noise.
The interior of the 2021 Volvo XC60
The interior is beautifully crafted. It is spacious and sophisticated and yet, it does not feel like they tried too hard. Everything that you touch inside the car feels expensive which is awesome! It is easy for you to drive for hours in this car and you do not arrive at your destination feeling like you have been squished into a tuna can for the past 5 years.
There is a lot of space for you to keep your little things like your wallet, drinks, snacks and spare earphones. The dash looks modern and clean and the passengers in the back are able to control their vents without having to worry the driver which is a great safety feature. Even the base model offers you a great balance between comfort and agility.
The technology that this SUV comes with
There is a lot of technological pieces that go into the 2021 Volvo XC60. The infotainment system features a 9.0-inch portrait-style touchscreen that is compatible with Apple CarPlay as well as Android Auto. You get a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 10-speaker audio system that will turn your SUV into a party.
If you do end up buying the R-Design, It comes with heated front seats as a standard feature on the car. The base Momentum comes with a keyless entry as well as a hands-free tailgate. For some added functions to the outside of the car, heated windshield wipers are now part of the Climate package on all trims except for the T8 Polestar Engineered.