Volvo pulled out all the stops for the 2021 facelift of the XC60. Compared to the 2020 model year, the 2021 edition of the Swedish automaker’s best-selling vehicle combines the understated yet elegant style of Scandinavian minimalist in the interior cabin with some Jetsons-worthy tech upgrades that push the XC60 from mid-luxury to undoubtedly luxury car.

With each new year comes new opportunities; resolutions; and, if you’re an automaker, an updated line of vehicles. Yearly facelifts tweak problems from the previous model year and zhuzh up the incoming vehicles with a little something extra, whether that’s a new trim, paint color, powertrain, or buttery leather seats. For the 2021 Volvo XC60, most of the changes have to do with comfort and luxury, as opposed to engine specs

Here to give you a rundown of what’s new for the 2021 Volvo XC60 is

Jerry

, the

trustworthy insurance comparison app

. We’ll take a thorough look at the differences between the 2021 and 2020 models to help you decide whether to scour a used car lot or to head down to a Volvo dealership for the 2022 edition. We’ll also show you how to save on

Volvo car insurance costs

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Is the 2021 Volvo XC60 redesigned?

As far as engines go, there isn’t much difference between the 2021 and 2020 Volvo XC60; both vehicles offer three different powertrains: the turbocharged 250-hp four-cylinder T5, the turbocharged and supercharged 316-hp four-cylinder T6, and 400-hpr T8 plug-in hybrid. However, for the 2021 model, the T8 hybrid powertrain has been renamed Recharge.

What really sets the 2021 XC60 apart from the 2020 model is the upgraded bells and whistles. And by that, we mean added elements of style, luxury, and upgraded technology. The 2020 XC60 is widely considered to be a mid-luxury vehicle, while the 2021 facelift elevates the Volvo XC60 to the luxury category. Think of this this way: if the 2020 XC60 is a chic pair of leather boots, the 2021 XC60 is a pair of custom-fit Italian leather loafers.

New features of the 2021 Volvo XC60 include:

Blind spot monitoring

Rear-cross traffic alerts

LED headlights and fog lights

Wireless smartphone charging

Power-folding exterior mirrors

19-inch wheels (expect on T5 Momentum)

Front parking sensors

Apple CarPlay and Android Audio

Keyless entry

Two USB-C ports

2021 Volvo XC60 vs. 2020 Volvo XC60: what changed?

We’ve mentioned that the 2021 Volvo XC60 got a lux facelift, but just how different is it from the 2020 model? Let’s dive into what changed between those two model years.

Reorganized trim levels

Volvo reorganized the XC60’s trim levels for 2021 to reflect the push towards hybrid vehicles. This bit can get a little confusing: there are three available powertrain options for the 2021 XC60, available on four different trim levels: Momentum (dubbed Inscription Expression with the Recharge powertrain), R-Design, Inscription, Polestar Engineered. In total, there are an impressive 10 different powertrain-and-trim packages to choose from with the 2021 XC60. They are as follows:

T5 Momentum

T6 Momentum

T5 R-Design

T5 Inscription

Recharge (T8) Plug-In Hybrid Inscription Expression

T6 R-Design

T6 Inscription

Recharge (T8) Plug-In Hybrid R-Design

Recharge (T8) Plug-In Hybrid Inscription

Recharge (T8) Plug-In Hybrid Polestar Engineered

Even with the base T5 Momentum package, the 2021 Volvo XC60 includes a host of safety features that competitors often charge extra for, like forward collision warnings, front and rear parking sensors, rear automatic braking, and more.

MORE:

How many miles can a Volvo last?

Styling

Now to the fun part: let’s talk style. This, more than anything else, sets the 2021 XC60 apart from the previous year. Upgrade packages are really what make the 2021 Volvo XC60 shine. For example, the Inscription trim level is available with a Lounge Package that includes massaging front seats—making it a comfortable ride no matter how long the trip.

A 10-speaker sound system comes standard and receives high marks, but the 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system upgrade is also available. Volvo offers a third audio package, a 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium system that, while expensive and only available on the higher-level trims, is truly unmatched even by more luxurious competitors.

Other upgrades include an air ionizer to help purify cabin cair, 19- or 20-inch wheels, ambient interior lighting, heated steering wheel, and heated front and rear seats.

However, for the 2021 XC60, Volvo did away with the fan-favorite Bursting Blue color, and replaced it with the much more subdued Savile Grey Metallic.

Pricing

Alright, let’s talk about price. With all of these new built-in safety features, you’d expect the base trim of the 2021 Volvo XC60 to skyrocket. Thankfully, that is not the case! The 2021 Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum starts at $42,795 MSRP. That’s not too much more than previous Volvo XC60 model years:

2020 Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum: $41,000

2019 Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum: $40,195

2018 Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum: $41,500

2017 Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum: $42,000

MORE: Does Volvo have a self-driving car?

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Should you buy a 2021 Volvo XC60?

Here’s the big question: should you purchase the 2021 Volvo XC60, the newer 2022 version, or hold out for the even newer 2023 edition?

There are some notable differences between the 2021 and 2022 models, and (for simplicity’s sake) you can think of the 2023 model as an upgraded version of the 2022 model. For 2022, Volvo did away with the T5 and T6 powertrains and replaced them with 247-hp B5 and 295-hp B6 hybrid batteries. The T8/Recharge powertrain also got a seriously upgraded 455-hp battery with an impressive 35-mile range. And, in lieu of Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system, they’ve made the change to Google.

The 2023 model, on the other hand, has a completely new trim level system. Gone are the Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription levels: they’ve been replaced by the Core, Plus, and Ultimate ones (respectively). And, it’s got not one but two snazzy new colors: Black Stone and Bright Metallic Dusk.

For 2024, if the rumors are to be believed, Volvo is working on an all-electric version of the XC60 that will possibly be called the EX60. So, if you’re keen on making the switch to something all-electric from Volvo, you may have to wait a while.

MORE:

How to get a hybrid or electric car tax credit

How to save on Volvo XC60 insurance costs

Volvo XC60 insurance costs

begin around $2,507 per year, and with higher trim models come higher insurance rates: the newer, decked-out

Volvo XC60 T6 Platinum car insurance

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