2013 Volvo XC60 T6 Off-Road Challenge & Review 

Watching this 10 years later because I'm thinking about picking one of these up as a DD for 5K so I can turn my 4Runner into more of a dedicated off-road rig. Pretty impressed with the capability of this at the 10 minute mark.

Thanks for the kind words and thanks for watching. Very much appreciated. It is fans like you that keep us posting new video every day.

I actually own one of these, but a 2012 model. The steering wheel feel is adjustable so if you feel like the wheel is too light, go into settings and go to "steering wheel force" and set it heavier. Pretty much the whole car is configurable, and you can set your settings to an individual key - for instance: you drive alone and just need the driver door to unlock at the first press of the button (it'll unlock the others with the second press), but your wife brings kids along, so she needs all 4 doors to unlock with one push of the button. Wife scared of carjacking? Turn on "lock doors while vehicle is in gear" on her key. Annoyed by this feature? Turn if off on yours. You can program it to remember those settings in each key. And with better tires, the thing can be a BEAST off road. My take on the seats is that they are supremely comfortable. I drive for uber and sit for several hours at a time with no breaks, but there is one problem. I'm too small for the seats. I'm 5'9 and 145 lbs and there's at least an inch and a half of seat on either side of me. As a result, I tend to slide around a bit and don't feel entirely supported. The overall size of the XC60 is perfect. 4 people with luggage for an airport trip? No problem. Bad weather? No problem. Tight spaces? No problem. It's a car that does so many things well.

For those of you who were unimpressed, let me chime in. I live in Colorado, and have taken my 2006 AWD 2.5T XC90 on trails like this, with some video taken by my wife. I can tell you that certain camera angles tend to minimize the steepness of the trail. I'm not sure why, but I'll bet that when this XC60 seems to struggle, it's a lot steeper than it looks. It has to be very steep, with a lot of diagonal lifts, for my XC90 to struggle--but I've always made it. At 09:59 , it looks like a more realistic picture of the XC60s capabilities, with a couple of good diagonal lifts.

Glad you guys had a video on this! My mom is getting one of these in a few days and I wanted to learn up on it!

So far we've only made it all the way up the hard part in a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with detachable sway bars.

It made it to the top dude. Sorry if you don't like the result but we call them as we see them.

We don't think your joking, we just know this trail looks easier in camera. It's not easy. There's a reason that only serious off-road vehicles use it. Tons of big sharp rocks, steep switchbacks, mud to name just some of the stuff that makes it tricky. We have yet to see a two wheel drive car make it up even the first half mile without breaking something important.

You guys are right about the tires. With some proper tires, that thing would've done much better. Frustrating part is FINDING the right tires. I have an XC70 which is similar in many respects, but I'm currently shopping for tires and can't find a single all-terrain tire in stock size. I will have to either buy new wheels, go with a different size tire, or simply compromise my off-road capability. FML. :(

Awesome video, I have a 2017 FWD XC60 and I wouldn’t trust it on any of these roads. The AWD model with the T6 is impressive. I did have the chance do drive a 2021 XC60 very nice ride and put it in dynamic mode and it really gets up and running. Thanks again guys best to you

Roman's owned three Volvos including a V70R

And in July 2015 our new Volvo XC60 D4 AWD Summum Business Edition PRO , facelifted inside & outside is coming to us !! Can't wait !!!

OK, for the people who think this car doesn't have good side-to-side traction control, look again at 10:00. It is the second run at this spot, but it's muddy, steep, and the right front wheel got airborne, which probably means the left rear had no traction either. Great job! And look at 3:14 thru 3:21. You have to look fast and carefully here, but there is some great AWD and traction control going on here too.

Great comment Samir - and thank you. Roman is more a luxury guy than I am, but I know the E350 4MATIC is a wonderful ride. That would be my pick. Still, the Lexus ES350 is one of the most comfortable rides out there. Either way, you win.

It seems the Haldex AWD system in the Volvo isn't transferring power from the slipping wheels to the gripping wheels like a Subaru AWD system. I would have say the Haldex system is not very good at all.

Any AWD car with open differentials are going to have a hard time when the lose of traction is opposing opposites like that. Halidex has a electronic center diff that varies torque between front and rear then uses pulsing brakes to slow the left to right differences

Stupid... If you put in first gear and activate the hilldescent control, this car will go almost everywhere

Nathan's owned a Volvo and raced an older wagon Volvo in Rallycross unlimited class. Volvo has had military trucks that are considered some of the best off road too.

you guys look very cozy together in this vehicle

That is not how my 2010 Subaru Forester's system works. Mine has a brake tractions control system so when a wheel is slipping, it brakes that wheel and transfers power to the wheel with grip. In the video it didn't look like any power was being transferred to the wheels with grip on the Volvo. It just spun it's wheels.

lol, guys I'm not trying to be a hater, I like your videos. Although I don't have footage of my car doing it, I honestly have driven my old crappy 95 Mazda 626 V6 (it's got pretty decent ground clearance) up just as tough terrain when I go hiking in the Australian mountains. Next time I go out hiking I'll take some videos and post them on this comment thread.

You can get “a tad more room” just get the Xc-90 lol. Great video 👍🏿

Have you tested the Porsche Macan yet? If not, i would love a off-road test and review.

Just heard this review mentioned in a Volvo commercial on the radio. Great job guys!

Why are you commenting before you watch the entire video?

you can use the wheel to navigate the whole system just sayin, I think you missed out big times on that fact!

There no easy parts on this track. I did a little video of my XC90 going up some steep and muddy trails in Colorado, and the visual on the video doesn't do it justice. Sometimes videos just don't show how steep the actual hill is. My XC90 has no problem transferring power from left to right, and I know from several other videos that the XC60 has no problems doing it either. Since you weren't there, just take Roman's and Nathan's word that this a very difficult trail meant for Jeeps.

No I think you missed the point or don't understand the US market. I would say over 90% of vehicles in the USA never see much more then a shopping mall parking lot. A small percentage consider off roading here as a dirt road that is graded. I have neighbors with F350's who don't tow anything and use it to go shopping...LOL I took my wife's Ford Edge down some stuff it was not meant to do just to show her where I ride.

Subaru system is mechanical, Haldex is electric viscous coupling. The Subaru transfers even power to each wheel as standard, which is advantageous off-road. Haldex may need some lag to kick in but it can send more power to a single wheel. The Subaru transfers equal power to both axles whether you need it or not = you lose more power from crank to wheels and it uses more gas. The Haldex will calculate how much power is optimal. This makes the Volvo the better car on normal roads and light gravel.

Nice video Guys, I try to watch every day. The Volvo has open differentials side to side, and uses the Haldex system to transfer torque between the front and rear only. You can try to pulse the brakes to simulate traction control while also keeping your foot on the accelerator next time you have opposite wheels spinning. Would love to know if it works. My Jeep does that automatically, it is called Brake Lock Differential (Uses ABS to brake spinning wheels). Keep up the good work!

No luck, we think that no reply for our request from Jeep means no long term Wrangler for TFLcar.

there's another person in the back seat, who was that?

Another great review guys! I think they were in left hand canyon. A popular place for 4x4 and dirt bikes.

Have you done a test with the Volvo XC70, like a 2010 model? I’d like to see that. Also what about Audi Allroad, a Vs of those 2 would be great 👍

Lol summer tires !

So do you guys ever go all the way to the top, up by the big intersection and the stream? I'm up on that trail a few days a week, I know it gets pretty hairy after the switchbacks

As a current Jeep owner, I believe they don't want you to have a long term jeep because you just might find out how realiable they absolutely aren't. Great for about 3 years/36000 miles then something new breaks every month or so.

I would love to know how you would compare this XC60 with the Audi Q5.. They seem to be the same size and price range.

I don't doubt that at all, most things don't look as dramatic on camera. Wow guys I'm excited to try and prove my comment ;) Even if I fail I'll still try and post something over the next week.

I can tell you my wife if we get the XC60, looking at the XC70, VW Touareg TDI, and Hyundai Sante Fe/Sport also, will NEVER go down a graded dirt road (unless I'm driving but I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee to get dirty and play in).

i'm no expert at offroading and I'm sure you guys were restricted by placing camera shots, but wouldn't it be a lot easier to keep the speed up and using the momentum! my only experience with offroading is in a 3 series coupe on an unpaved road and in a c-class on a dirt farm track for about 3 km and that was easier than i thought for relatively low clearance cars

What's the wading depth of this XC60 like?

Yeah, i think that, too. All time the guys are challanging a situation where one of the wheels is going into air there is totally slippering of that wheel(s). I have seen no AWD in action at all, allover the footage. Whenever needed these guys stepped back with the car and turn around the obstacles. Wished they had filmed such a situation twice, once w/o and once with AWD activated... Thanks anyway for your videos! Best regards from g'old germany.

Different countries, climate, terrain, and different minded people... simple as that I guess. Having never even set foot in your country I can't argue what your saying.

So could it go up Mt Bross? That be a good road to try vehicles.

We ended up going with the 2013 Volvo S60 AWD T5

Doesn't the XC60 have traction control? Looks like it doesn't or it was turned off.

Roman & Nathan, could you guys do a quick video on what to bring and how to prepare for an off-road trek? I.E. What emergency gear should we bring if the car gets stuck OR some basic survival stuff to have if the car breaks down. Thanks.

Awesome review guys!

I like the Jeep Grand Cherokee's of late, especially the SRT8 even though it's not much good off road. The latest gen Touareg isn't what it used to be... The old V10 tdi had kind of a nice personality to it. There's a new BMW X5 out soon, might be worth a look also.

I have nothing against the car but the suspension just isn't flexible enough does anyone agree?

Thanks for the great video! Really enjoy seeing you guys put crossovers to the test. Do you get the passat all track in the states? Would love to see you review it if you do!

love you guys and your videos!

The thing is that that dude thinks there's a better and way cheaper off-roader, which is mostly likely a Wrangler. However, you won't get the refinement, comfort and safety from the Volvo in that Jeep. He mentioned SUV while this is a CUV, it's totally different.

Whats funny about those particular equipped tires is that they are crappy on the street too for anything other than nvh.

I'm betting outside Boulder? Maybe Lefthand Canyon...I know its not an area I have been and I been to a LOT of areas Mid, South and Western CO with my Dual Sport Adventures.

I love this channel!

We'll try.

Would love to see a review of the f-150 going up this trail one of this days guys...

The latest Grand Cherokee is a nice place to be, equally as nice as any Volvo.

2:14 I have this car & I'm 6'2. That thing drove me crazy but I found that if you really just play with the seat you'll sit in a way that it'll never touch your leg. I was almost to a point before this to think to put a pad on it. Past that I love that car, coming from an outback I feel like a king!

You could have taken other serious off-roaders up there like the Tacoma with the REAR diff lock. Could you please try that one?

Did you guys remove some air from the tires? They look really low towards the end of the video!

You put shitty tarmac tyres on it and expect it to have awesome grip on loose gravel tracks, slippery rocks, mud and sand? Don't hate on a vehicle that you haven't set up properly to go places the average owner wouldn't ever take it. If you're going off road in any urban SUV, including this XC60, the only tyre you should fit is a Yokohama Geolandar A/T.

This is not the latest XC60, just search "Volvo Swedish House Mafia" And you can check out the latest Volvo, the did the video with the 3 guys from Swedish house mafia!

Yall need to do a revue if the jeep wrangler mw3 call of duty on that tract !!

You guys should definitely try and get an f150 to take up the trail :D

Great video! I wouldn't think that the Volvo would make it to the top. Hey, could you gu

Here you go: watch?v=zxvI5mw63EI

If only you guys knew about the Nissan X-Trail! It's not in the US though..

Where in boulder is this off road course ?I would like to try it sometime

It is a global SUV, intended for the standard (normal/smart) person. Clearly not the average US consumer.

Sorry about that. Could you do a review on the Lincoln MKz

Anybody ever noticed that they go way too slow sometimes on these small roads when testing any vehicle? And they just randomly stop sometimes in the wrong place? These trails are not that difficult, most cars should be able to make it through pretty easily. Plus, I would never take a $50k vehicle off-road like this, maybe a few dirt driveways, etc..

why is the other camera guy hiding ?

Buying a Wrangler instead of a Volvo? Anyone making that decision is clueless. They are worlds apart. Besides; my neighbors take their XC90 off road all the time: in total comfort and at a level of luxury no Wrangler (or Jeep for that matter) will ever have.

Have u guys switched off DSTC?I am not very impressed with the TC unless uv switched it off! from what I see it fails to block the spining wheels and send torque to thw opposite!Very disapointed!X drive, 4 matic wloud do much better!

Hey Roman could you guys do an off road review of a traditional body on frame full size Suv. Say a Ford Expedition please. Thanks!

Hi Roman & Nathan,U 2 R the BEST in business. I follow almost every reviews of U guys. I just want to say that U guys R great help potential new car buyers and we get learn a lot from you two. just keep it up the way you guys are doing . I have one request from you two plz plz.........have a review comparison for 2013 LEXUS ES350 VS 2014 BENZ E350 4MATIC. I AM CONFUSED WHICH ONE TO BUY.......I OWNED LAST GENERATION 2012 ES350 & I LIKED IT ALOT BUT NEW 1 IS MORE SPORTY..I LIKE LUXURY.SO PLZ HELP

seems like the driver does not have experience driving off road, the traction control only enganges when you keep the gas on for several seconds, the system detects the spinning wheels and then start working with the ones that have better traction, but i could see the driver, stopped accelerating just at the moment that the wheels start spinning like giving up,,,, and that tells me, he doesnt have experience driving with traction control systems. it s a shame

Hi, in your opinion how does this compare to the Subaru Forester? Would the Forester also make the same trip all the way like the Volvo?

Good vid guys

Is there any chance you guys can do a Dodge journey awd review

when will you be doing a jaguar f type

They would have been fine if roman hadn't stood right in the way on the switchbacks hahaha ;)

Show us the video or it never happened

Nathan are you talking about yourself in the third person here???? Grin

Can you do the XC90 off road?!

You think I'm joking, I understand the point of the video however I'm Australian from farming country out West NSW and we take $80,000 Toyota Prado's and $100,000 Toyota 200 Series Landcruisers off road all day long, even low riding Camry's, Commodores, Lexus's and Fords get repetitive off road abuse.

what happens if you guys wreck the car?

That Volvo got stuck on the easiest parts simply because it can't transfer the power left to right. Its just spinning the wheel. I wish you guys would do the forester or outback like this review in the dry no snow.

Cool, ya I take my civic to the top all the time (kidding) :) but I do get my 07' Liberty to the top, it takes some careful and skillful driving, and uses the brake lock differential pretty often but will do it

can you guys do a dodge journey r/t review or mashup

oh oh oh.... and thank you big dude for using the word "ironic" in the correct context.

This is the worst offroad test ever

Can you do the xc70

LOL riding roofs! So funny!

great job on the website for ur team, but need better editing on the videos sorry to say. other than that everything's great @The Fast Lane Car

8:50 Looks rather like 2wd and not awd.

It has no differential lock.