2016 Volvo XC60 — Carivo review Representative photo — may show another model year
SUV

2016 Volvo XC60

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $35,302–$47,339
Fuel Economy 19 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category SUV
Est. Annual Fuel $2,763/yr
The 2016 Volvo XC60 scores 7.5/10 at Carivo, ranking #947 of 2454 suvs, with 3 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $2,763/year fuel cost.

Key Specifications — 2016 Volvo XC60

Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSUV
Base Price$35,302–$47,339

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2016 Volvo XC60

With an overall Carivo score of 7.5/10, the 2016 Volvo XC60 earns a Recommended rating among the suvs we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 9.1/10, while Value at 6.7/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability comes in at 7.1/10 in our assessment — above the middle of the pack for this class, though not flawless. Safety is a strength too — 9.1/10 by our scoring. As with any car, verify the official ratings for your specific trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Performance at 6.9/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 8.1/10 — one of the stronger tech packages in the segment. Expect a responsive infotainment system, broad smartphone integration, and a solid suite of driver-assistance features.

Priced from $35,302–$47,339, 19 MPG, seating 5, the Volvo XC60 sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. The value score of 6.7/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Bottom line: Think of the 2016 Volvo XC60 as the dependable pick rather than the exciting one. Its softer scores in performance and value are the only real asterisks. Shoppers who value predictability over headlines will be well served.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among SUVs

The 2016 Volvo XC60 ranks #947 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 61% of the segment. Its 7.5/10 overall score is 0.1 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $35,302 starting price sits close to the segment's median of $36,079.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $50k →

5-Year Cost Snapshot — 2016 Volvo XC60

Fuel (75,000 miles)~$13,815 ($2,763/year at $3.50/gal)
Recall repairs$0 — 3 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
InsuranceVaries widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying

We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.

Which XC60 Year Should You Buy?

Across the XC60 model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2026 8.0/10$47,843 Read review →
2025 8.0/10$47,843 Read review →
2024 8.0/10$46,450 Read review →
2023 8.0/10$45,056 Read review →
2022 7.8/10$43,663 Read review →
2021 7.8/10$42,269 Read review →
2020 7.8/10$40,876 Read review →
2019 7.7/10$39,482 Read review →
2018 7.8/10$38,089 Read review →
2017 7.6/10$36,695 Read review →
2016 (this review) 7.5/10$35,302
2015 7.5/10$33,908 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2016 Volvo XC60

✓ What it does well

  • Top-tier safety scores across crash tests and driver-assistance tech
  • Modern, intuitive tech suite with wireless connectivity and up-to-date ADAS
  • Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well

✗ Where it falls short

  • Reliability scores are mid-pack; some owners report higher-than-expected maintenance needs
  • Driving dynamics are adequate but uninspiring; not the choice for enthusiast drivers
  • Fuel economy at 19 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly

NHTSA Recalls — 2016 Volvo XC60 (3 on record)

The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.

Seat belts / Front
30/06/2020 · 20V378000
Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel…
Seat belts / Front / Buckle assembly
02/11/2016 · 16V798000
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 XC90, S90, XC60, V60 Cross Country, V60, S60 Cross Country, S60, and S60 Inscription vehicles manufactured February 16, 2015, to August 22, 2016. On the affected vehicles, the front…
Electrical system / Wiring / Fuses and circuit breakers
02/09/2015 · 15V555000
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 Volvo S60, V60, V60CC, XC60, XC70, and S80 vehicles manufactured April 8, 2015 to August 19, 2015. In certain driving conditions when using the automatic engine stop/start…

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

Own a 2016 Volvo XC60 that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →

Common Questions — 2016 Volvo XC60

Is the 2016 Volvo XC60 reliable?

We rate the 2016 Volvo XC60's reliability 7.1/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).

How many recalls does the 2016 Volvo XC60 have?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2016 Volvo XC60 worth buying?

It scores 7.5/10 overall, ranking #947 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 61% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.

How much does the 2016 Volvo XC60 cost?

The 2016 Volvo XC60 starts at $35,302 and ranges up to $47,339 across trims (MSRP when new). At 19 MPG, expect roughly $2,763/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

Which XC60 years should you avoid?

Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest XC60 years we've rated are 2016 (7.5/10), 2015 (7.5/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (8.0/10). See the full year table above before deciding.

What problems does the 2016 Volvo XC60 have?

The documented issues for the 2016 Volvo XC60 are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Seat belts, Electrical system (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.

Owner Essentials — Volvo XC60

Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

All-weather floor mats → Dash cam → OBD2 scanner → Phone mount →

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More Volvo Reviews

Explore the full lineup of Volvo models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.