The 2023 Volvo XC60 Offers a Perk for Parents of Small Children: Built-In Booster Seats
Americans love a good compact luxury SUV, which is why almost every luxury brand offers a five-passenger crossover. Volvo is among the many automakers offering multiple crossover SUVs in the crowded segment, competing for consumers’ attention with the 2023 Volvo XC60. Coming off recent upgrades and improvements from last year’s model, the new XC60 includes a family-friendly perk that parents of small children will appreciate: built-in booster seats.
Overview of the 2023 Volvo XC60
The 2023 Volvo XC60 offers a staggering 13 trims. They range from the B5 Core base model, starting at $44,545 to the high-performance XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered, carrying a hefty $75,245 sticker price.
The luxury compact SUV offers two four-cylinder hybrid gas engines, the B5 and B6, producing 247 hp or 295 hp depending upon the trim. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and a small electric motor create the mild-hybrid system. The plug-in hybrid T8 Polestar Engineered trim packs a powerful punch, harnessing 415 hp.
The 2023 Volvo XC60’s Google-based infotainment system offers superior voice recognition software and a 9.0-inch touchscreen. Volvo recently added Android Auto compatibility, and Apple CarPlay is forthcoming to keep all users happy. Other tech features include four USB-C ports, a Wi-Fi hot spot, integrated Google Maps, and wireless charging.
Edmunds points out that the 2023 XC60 “isn’t the quickest or best-handling SUV in its segment, but it might be one of the most comfortable and relaxing.”
Family-friendly features in the 2023 Volvo XC60
The 2023 Volvo XC60’s optional built-in booster seats are a huge perk for parents of small children. Volvo recommends the advanced seating system for kids who weigh between 33 and 80 pounds, measure at least 37 inches tall, are ready for a three-point seat belt, and are at least 4 years old.
“The child’s seat is specially designed to provide children with good safety, together with the car’s seatbelt,” Volvo explains. “The seat cushion can be raised in two positions depending on the weight of the child.”
Other family-friendly features in the 2023 Volvo XC60 include a generous 22.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 63.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down.
“The cabin is also extremely classy and well designed, with high-quality materials and seats that absolutely spoil your spine and posterior during long road trips,” Kelley Blue Book reports. “You might want a set of them in your living room — they’re that good.”
The SUV also includes numerous standard safety features. Regardless of the powertrain or trim, all 2023 XC60 models have adaptive headlights, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and other advanced driver assist systems.
How this SUV compares to the 2023 BMW X3
The 2023 Volvo XC60 and 2023 BMW X3 lead their brands in annual sales, with crossover SUVs having universal appeal. These luxury vehicles have similar pricing structures and seat five passengers, but there are a few considerable differences between the brands.
The entry-level BMW X3 has a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and comes in rear-wheel drive with the option to add all-wheel drive for an additional $2,000. The mid-level trim packs a three-liter inline-six producing 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The range-topping AWD 2023 BMW X3 M has a high-performance six-cylinder engine with upgraded suspension.
J.D. Power claims, “BMW’s 6-cylinder engines offer intoxicating performance, but the efficiency and rapid response of the XC60 plug-in hybrid is equally compelling.”
The Volvo XC60 offers an advantage over the BMW X3 in safety and driving assistance features. Though both boast advanced standard safety features, the XC60 adds automatic rear braking, side and rear collision avoidance assistance, and cross-traffic warning systems.
Though 2023 data is not yet available, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2022 BMW X3 and 2022 Volvo XC60 five-star safety ratings. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2022 X3 a Good rating but did not select it as a Top Safety Pick. Volvo received the Top Safety Pick+ rating for the 2022 XC60 and XC60 Recharge models.
