Volvo XC60 vs Infiniti QX60 – Saturday Showdown

The luxury midsize crossover market is becoming thick with competition. Among competitors in this field that we’ve recently driven in the 2015 model year are the fun new Volvo XC60 and the poshly comfortable Infiniti QX60. Today, we’re going to pit them against one another side-by-side on several key points.

Fast VS Facts

Note that to compare apples to apples, we are using the 2015.5 T6 model of the XC60, which is the six-cylinder, all-wheel drive version of the Volvo. This is more equivalent to the Infiniti, which was also a six-cylinder with AWD, and the above points reflect the comparison.

Daily Use Ergonomics

XC60: 5 | QX60: 4

This is a close call, but we’re giving the higher score to the XC60 for several reasons. Both the Infiniti and the Volvo are sized well, have good entry/egress ergonomics, and get around town or out on the highway with panache. Where the Volvo ekes ahead are with the small details such as the more useful cargo area (square entry, more tie-down and other options) and its more user-friendly second row of seating. Little things like the built-in booster seat option also help boost daily use ergonomics and will also add to its value in our next comparison.

Family Friendliness

XC60: 4 | QX60: 5

Although we’re giving the score here to the Infiniti, the Volvo is a very close second. The XC60 has little details such as built-in child booster seats (as an option) and good comfort levels in the second row, but the Infiniti has a third row option, more leg and head room, and a quieter ride for the long haul. We also noted that it’s easier to install child safety seats in the QX60 than it was in the XC60, largely because of the seat belt clip placement and the over-seat tether location.

Ride Comfort

XC60: 3 | QX60: 5

This one was a clear victory for the Infiniti. The Volvo XC60 has a noisier cabin than does the Infiniti and its seats are European in design, with a harder feel, though still very supportive. The Infiniti QX60 benefits from Nissan’s recent seat designs utilizing lessons learned from space exploration. In terms of chassis comfort, both are about equal, though the XC60 is a bit more sporty and thus harsher at speed.

Powertrain Options

XC60: 5 | QX60: 4

Here we give the win to the Volvo, hands down, as it is available in several powertrain configurations. This has the downside of becoming confusing, though, given the mid-year split they did in the model designations. To start with, the Infiniti has two options: a V6 with a CVT, as we drove it, and a hybrid. The Volvo has a four-cylinder, five-cylinder, and six-cylinder option. The four-cylinder is available as both a turbocharged and supercharged option (the latter designated the R-Design).

Final Assessments

This was a close matchup with the Infiniti QX60 just winning out over the Volvo XC60. For those who prefer a sportier ride and drive, the Volvo is definitely the better choice, but for family ergonomics, comfort, and fuel economy, we’d choose the Infiniti. These are both great contenders in a field of excellence.

To read the individual reviews of the Showdown contenders, links are below for your convenience.

• 2015 Volvo XC60 T6 and 2015 Volvo XC60 R-Design
• 2015 Infiniti QX60