Comparison: Ground clearance Volvo XC60 vs. competitors 2025

Volvo XC60 - How has the ground clearance changed over the generations?

Across the generations, the XC60 has had a bit of a ride—quite literally. Arriving on the scene in 2008, the first generation strutted around flaunting a ground clearance of 230 mm, as unashamed of its generous undercarriage room as a teenager is of their new driver’s license. Post its 2013 facelift, it stubbornly refused to lower its stance, maintaining that same clearance until the second generation came along in 2017, perhaps with a slightly less boastful, yet still respectable, 216 mm ground clearance. This reduction might make you think the XC60 decided to grow up and settle down a bit, but it's more about refined maturity rather than middle-aged spread.

The ground clearance compared to other Volvo models

In the grand family gathering that is the Volvo lineup, the XC60's ground clearance puts it in an interesting position. Not content with merely grazing the ground like the V60 and its 128 mm clearance, and certainly not reaching for the sky like the towering XC90 at a lofty 267 mm. It's comfortably nestled in its own niche. Smack dab in the middle, the XC60 raises itself just enough to peer over the crowd at 216 mm, not quite stepping on the toes of its plug-in hybrid variant sitting pretty at 209 mm or the XC40’s practical yet robust 205 mm. It’s the Goldilocks of ground clearances in the Volvo world - not too high, not too low, but just right.

How does the ground clearance of the Volvo XC60 compare to it's nearest competitors?

Venturing beyond the Volvo family to pit the XC60 against its rivals, one finds that it is playing in a league where ground clearance is more than a simple number – it’s a statement. Let’s take the Nissan Juke, for instance, scampering around with a modest 180 mm clearance. Or the Ford Explorer, which seemingly towers with 204 mm but doesn’t quite match the XC60’s lofty ambitions. Dive into the electric avenue, and the Hyundai IONIQ 5 barely lifts its skirts at 160 mm, looking almost enviously at the XC60’s superior elevation. Even the Genesis GV80, with its commendable 205 mm, has to look up slightly to the XC60’s stand. It's a tough playground, but our Swedish friend here holds its ground well, balancing adeptly between the need for urban maneuverability and the thirst for off-road adventures.

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