When it comes to choosing a mid-size SUV, the agility and urban maneuverability of the vehicle are paramount. Enter the Volvo XC60, a sleek Swedish machine that isn't just a pretty face, but a competent twirler in tight spots, too. With the turn of a wheel, it dances around corners with the grace of a ballroom dancer, albeit one weighing a couple of tons. It's that nimble turning circle that we'll be dissecting—how it compares to its forebears and to the contemporary vehicular ballet dancers of today's motoring world.
The XC60's pirouette prowess has undergone some subtle refinements over its generational evolution. The first generation of this Swedish chariot, from 2008 to 2013, had a turning circle of 11.90 meters, which widened slightly to 12.10 meters post-facelift (2013-2017)—perhaps the automotive equivalent of a diet of Swedish meatballs. Yet, as with all great performers, the XC60 honed its craft, and by its second generation (2017-2021), it trimmed down its turning circle to a svelte 11.80 meters, maintaining this figure even after a crisp facelift in 2021.
| Generation year | Turning circle |
|---|---|
| XC60, Model year 2008 (1.Generation) | 11 m |
| XC60, Model year 2013 (1.Generation (1. Facelift)) | 12 m |
| XC60, Model year 2017 (XC60 2. Generation) | 11 m |
| XC60, Model year 2021 (XC60 2.Generation (1. Facelift)) | 11 m |
| XC60, Model year 2025 (XC60 2. Generation (2. Facelift)) | 11 m |
Within the Volvo family, the XC60's turning skills are a subject of domestic competition. The Volvo EX90, despite its colossal size, matches the XC60 with an 11.80m turning radius, while the compact urbanite, the EX30, pirouettes at just 10.60 meters (See EX30 Turning Circle). The V60 and its Recharge Plug-in Hybrid counterpart, however, offer slightly tighter contention at 11.00 meters (See V60 Turning Circle). In stark contrast, the larger XC90 peers enviously, lumbering at a less nimble 12.10 meters (See XC90 Turning Circle).
| Variant name | Turning circle |
|---|---|
| EX30 | 10 m |
| EX90 | 11 m |
| S90 | 11 m |
| S90 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid | 11 m |
| V90 | 11 m |
| V90 Cross Country | 11 m |
| V90 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid | 11 m |
| XC60 | 11 m |
| XC60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid | 11 m |
| S60 | 11 m |
| S60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid | 11 m |
| V60 | 11 m |
| V60 Cross Country | 11 m |
| V60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid | 11 m |
| EX40 | 11 m |
| EC40 | 11 m |
| XC40 | 11 m |
| XC40 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid | 11 m |
| XC40 Recharge Pure Electric | 11 m |
| ES90 | 12 m |
| XC90 | 12 m |
| XC90 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid | 12 m |
When throwing the XC60 into the arena with its rivals, it stands its ground with Swedish dignity. The nimble Suzuki S-Cross, for example, puts up a strong fight at 10.80 meters (See S-Cross Turning Circle), while the German precision of the Mercedes-Benz GLB is close behind with 11.70 meters (See GLB Turning Circle). The luxury Maserati Levante shares the dance floor with 11.70 meters as well (See Levante Turning Circle), and let's not overlook the electric prowess of the Tesla Model X, albeit with a wider turning circle of 12.40 meters (See Model X Turning Circle). It's a tight circulation of rivals, but the XC60 keeps spinning with the best of them, at times out-twisting the heavier and longer-wheelbase contenders.
| Car model | Turning circle |
|---|---|
| Lexus LBX 2024 | 10 m |
| Genesis GV70 2021 | 11 m |
| Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2023 | 11 m |
| Mazda CX-60 2022 | 11 m |
| Mercedes-Benz GLB 2023 | 11 m |
| Peugeot 408 2023 | 11 m |
| Honda ZR-V 2023 | 11 m |
| Renault Rafale 2024 | 11 m |
| CUPRA Terramar 2024 | 11 m |
| Alfa Romeo Tonale 2022 | 11 m |
| Lynk & Co 01 2021 | 11 m |
| Subaru Crosstrek 2024 | 11 m |
| Renault Symbioz 2024 | 11 m |
| Mitsubishi ASX 2023 | 11 m |
| Renault Arkana 2021 | 11 m |
| Dacia Bigster 2025 | 11 m |
| Volvo XC60 2025 | 11 m |
| Toyota Highlander 2021 | 12 m |
| Land Rover Range Rover Velar 2023 | 12 m |
| Maserati Grecale 2022 | 12 m |
| Porsche Macan 2021 | 12 m |
| Jaguar F-Pace 2021 | 12 m |
| Mazda CX-80 2024 | 12 m |
| Genesis GV80 2021 | 12 m |
| VW Tayron 2025 | 12 m |
