2025 Volvo XC60 vs. the Competition

In the crowded midsize luxury SUV segment, it's not easy to stand out. And yet, the Volvo XC60 achieves this through a mix of sophisticated styling, superior build quality, and an unrivaled level of standard equipment. To fully appreciate the advantage that the XC60 has over its rivals, we need a more in-depth comparison, so read on and see why the XC60 is the superior choice.

Volvo XC60 VS Cadillac XT5

2025 Volvo XC60 B5 Core	VS	2025 Cadillac XT5 Luxury AWD
$47,050	MSRP	$46,295
247 HP / 266 LB-FT TQ ✓	Horsepower / Torque	235 HP / 258 LB-FT TQ
25 MPG ✓	Fuel Economy (combined rating)	23 MPG
Double Wishbone ✓	Front Suspension	Strut
Standard ✓	Torque Vectoring	Requires Higher Trim
Standard ✓	Configurable Digital Gauge Cluster	Requires Higher Trim
10 ✓	Speakers	8
Standard, LED ✓	Fog Lights	Not Available
Standard ✓	Power Folding Mirrors	Requires Higher Trim
Standard ✓	Rain Sensing Wipers	Requires Higher Trim

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First up is the Cadillac XT5, which is so close to the XC60 in size and price that it just makes sense to start here. Actually, the XT5 starts a little bit lower, since it doesn't come with standard all-wheel drive, but since the XC60 does, we added the option to make this a more straightforward comparison. Both SUVs come with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, but the Volvo power plant is the more advanced option, able to both produce more power and deliver better fuel economy at the same time. Handling in the XC60 is better too, thanks to a double-wishbone front suspension setup that gives you much more precise steering. Not only that, but the standard torque vectoring on the XC60 also means better traction in all conditions.

Considering how similar the prices are for these two vehicles, you would expect a similar level of standard equipment, but the XT5 offers surprisingly little. A configurable digital gauge cluster is standard on the XC60, but not only does it require you to move up to a higher trim on the XT5, that move still only gives you the option to pay more to have it. You also get more speakers in the XC60, and fog lights aren't available for any trim of the XT5. And while Power folding mirrors and rain-sensing wipers might be commonly included as standard on most vehicles in this segment, that's not the case with the Cadillac.

Volvo XC60 VS Audi Q5

2025 Volvo XC60 B5 Core	VS	2025 Audi Q5 40 Premium
$47,050	MSRP	$45,400
247 HP / 266 LB-FT TQ ✓	Horsepower / Torque	201 HP / 236 LB-FT TQ
8 ✓	Transmission Speeds	7
3,500 pounds ✓	Towing Capacity	N/A
18.7 feet ✓	Turning Radius	19.4 feet
Standard ✓	Traffic Sign Recognition	Optional
Standard ✓	Sunroof	Optional
Standard ✓	Power Folding Mirrors	Not Available
Standard ✓	Torque Vectoring	Not Available
36 months / 36k miles ✓	Included Maintenance	None

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Audi usually offers a better value for money than the other German luxury brands, so we picked the Q5 for this comparison to show how that really isn't such a great accomplishment. The Q5 is marginally cheaper, but not by enough to excuse the massive power disadvantage. Adding to this, the XC60 also has a more sophisticated 8-speed transmission. Unsurprisingly, this means the XC60 can tow up to 3,500 pounds, easily beating the zero that the Q5 is rated for. And even though the Q5 has a better front suspension setup than the Cadillac we saw earlier, the XC60 can still out-turn it, always important for getting in and out of tight parking spaces.

The XC60 once again comes out on top with standard equipment, coming with features like Traffic Sign Recognition and a sunroof, which are optional extras on the Q5. There are even standard features like power folding mirrors and torque vectoring that aren't available for the Q5 at all. Lastly, the XC60 comes with all routine maintenance included for the first 36 months or 36,000 miles. The Q5, by contrast, doesn't come with any maintenance included at all.

Volvo XC60 VS Lexus RX

2025 XC60 Plug-In Hybrid Ultra	VS	2025 Lexus RX 450h+
$67,850 ✓	MSRP	$72,610
4 ✓	Trims	1
455 HP / 523 LB-FT TQ ✓	Horsepower / Torque	304 HP / 168 LB-FT TQ
4.5 seconds ✓	0-60 Time	6.2 seconds
8-speed automatic ✓	Transmission	CVT
Double Wishbone ✓	Front Suspension	Strut
Optional ✓	Adaptive Suspension	Not available
Driver and passenger ✓	Memory Seats	Driver only
14 - Harman Kardon ✓	Speakers	12 - generic
Standard ✓	Cabin Preconditioning	Not Available

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We chose the Lexus RX for our last comparison for a very good reason, it is available as a plug-in hybrid. This doesn't work quite the same for both manufacturers though. With the RX, the hybrid drivetrain is tied to specific trim levels, and the plug-in hybrid is tied to just one specific trim. Drivetrain choice isn't tied to a specific trim for the XC60, so you can go for the performance-oriented Polestar Engineered trim, or the Core, which comes with a huge price advantage over the Lexus. We went with the Ultra because it was the closest to the RX 450h+ in both price and purpose. The two vehicles have nearly identical battery capacities and all-electric driving range, but it's immediately obvious there is a big difference when it comes to performance. The XC60 comes with a lot more power, even in base trim, which is priced more than $10,000 lower than the RX 450h+. And with the difference in 0-60 times, you'll feel that difference every time you get on the highway.

The XC60 provides a better driving experience in several different ways. The first is the 8-speed automatic transmission, which is highly preferable to the numb experience you get with the CVT in the Lexus. Like the Cadillac, the Lexus has a strut front suspension, which is far less precise than the double wishbone setup in the XC60. Adding to this is the lack of available adaptive suspension in the RX, something that is available in the XC60, and which gives you superior comfort when you want it, or flat cornering when you push the performance. The XC60 comes out ahead with standard equipment as well, including memory settings for the passenger seat, and a name-brand premium stereo with more speakers than what comes with the RX. Lastly, the XC60 comes with cabin preconditioning. It's possible to remote start either vehicle, as a means of getting it to a comfortable temperature. But cabin preconditioning specifically uses electric power from the battery, so the engine doesn't need to be started. This means it's safely usable in a confined space, like a garage, while the RX has no option for this.

The other vehicles that compete with the XC60 sometimes offer the kind of power, standard equipment, and driving enjoyment that you get with the XC60, but none of them quite manage to offer all of these things at the same time, and in some cases even charge a much higher price while still missing that mark. For the luxury midsize SUV that actually offers everything you want in one place, there is no beating the Volvo XC60.