The new XC60 won praise for its interior quality, design, technology, spaciousness and comfort-oriented approach. Auto Express's expert testers also said the XC60 has "a level of safety, connectivity and autonomous technology that leads the sector" and that it "will be a very easy car to live with day-to-day".
Commenting on the award, Steve Fowler, Editor-in-chief of Auto Express, said: "Volvo has done it again with the XC60. The XC90 has been a serial winner at our Awards and now the XC60 wins at the first attempt. It's another super-stylish SUV from Volvo that offers a level of quality, comfort and technology that rivals can't – it really is the complete package."
This second-generation model has all of the advanced connectivity and safety equipment introduced in Volvo's award-winning range of large premium cars. It also brings Volvo's latest elegant Scandinavian design to the mid-size SUV class, along with the brand's ground-breaking Sensus touchscreen control system.
The XC60 is available with a range of powerful yet efficient engines, including the innovative T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid. This combines a petrol engine with an electric motor, making it a near-silent zero-emission city car one minute and a high-performance family SUV the next. With CO2 emissions of just 49 g/km, the T8 is also exceptionally tax-efficient.
Jon Wakefield, Managing Director of Volvo Car UK, said: "Winning the Auto Express 'Best Premium SUV' award is a fantastic testament to the quality and desirability of the new XC60. The XC60 brings all the style, sophistication and cutting-edge connectivity and safety features from our largest cars to our best-selling model, introducing the fruits of Volvo's transformation to even more owners."
The XC60 wasn't the only successful Volvo at the Auto Express Awards. The XC90 – a two-time winner of the 'Best Large SUV' award – was also highly commended in the 'Best Large Premium SUV' category this year, showcasing Volvo's expertise when it comes to SUVs.