Our Awards

This polite family all-rounder will give competitors a stylish reality check. It’s an SUV that knows exactly who it is - dripping with Swedish style, safety features, functionality for those big families and a bit of green grunt thanks to the hybrid models.

With all-round good looks, safety, performance, functionality and value, the critics are in agreement.

Wheels Best Large Luxury SUV – 2023

Green Car Award – 2017

Good Design Award – 2016

Best AWD SUV $65,000 - $125,000 Australia’s best cars - 2015

The XC90, redefines peoples’ perception of what Volvo stands for. It’s in the cabin where it really shines. A genuine seven-seater with luxury to boot. Minor touches become major joys. After all, Volvo knows that luxury cars need to live up to their price tag.

The XC90 debuts not one, but two world-first safety features: City Safety with Intersection Collision Mitigation, which can stop you turning into the path of an oncoming car at an intersection, and Run Off-Road Protection, which prepares the car if, despite all the other technology, you do leave the road. The model also has cross-traffic alert and rear-collision warning, and the curtain airbag protection covers all three rows of seating.

“Each car we design is unmistakably a Volvo, but it also has a unique personality.” The judges agree the XC90 has a strong identity, an SUV with great power, capability and at the same time, safety, a sense of purpose and freedom.

“From the bold front grille to the beautifully detailed taillights it is every inch a Volvo. Uniquely Scandinavian, unmistakably urban, it is built for city life.” - Good Design Awards

Drive’s Car of the Year 2021, Best Medium Luxury SUV is regarded as one the most coveted automotive prizes in Australia. This ultimate review complements the XC60’s status as Drive Car of The Year 2021, Best Medium Luxury SUV, an accolade it’s now won five years in a row, alongside the coveted Wheels Car of the Year in 2019 and 2018. James Ward from Drive put it best. “A well-appointed luxury SUV that seamlessly blends cutting edge safety and technology with a sense of undeniable high street style.”

Function, Technology, Efficiency, Safety, and Value. The XC60 brought them all to the fore to take the crown. Every single model in the Volvo XC60 range passed the test with flying colours, claiming both Safety Innovation and Luxury. “The base specification of the XC60 is generous, with Volvo rolling in the full suite of safety technology across the range.” – Drive. Its sleek Swedish looks have been universally praised. “The Volvo XC60 goes just that little bit further to add elements which make the cabin feel upmarket and special, setting it apart from others in this segment” – Drive.

Function:
Vehicles were judged even before they were driven, with a static test involving judges assessing build quality, seat comfort, ergonomics, practicality, cabin-space efficiency, generally prodding poking, and pressing to test the quality of materials, switchgear, fit and finish. “The XC60 immediately impressed with its stunning interior presentation on walk-through day, followed by its dynamics on the ride and handling course.”
- Wheels

Technology:
Cutting edge new technology is old ground for Volvo. The double-lane-change manoeuvre reinforced Volvo’s cutting-edge technology – adding to your steering input, and braking inner wheels to help you avoid an obstacle, before helping to stabilise and straighten the car.

Safety:
“…The XC60 smashed COTY’s safety criteria, much like the XC90 before it.”- Wheels
As the company that pioneered autonomous emergency braking a decade ago with its City Safety system, Volvo had plenty of faith in its XC60 performing exceedingly well in Wheels’ AEB test. It did not disappoint. “A full suite of active safety aids, a superb surround-view camera and excellent seats with well-positioned bolsters and head restraints imbue the XC60 with an aura of in-cabin safety reminiscent of its pioneering ancestors.” - Wheels

As one of the world’s most progressive premium carmakers, Volvo will be aiming to ensure such prestigious awards aren’t the last.

With all-round good looks, safety, performance, functionality and value, the critics agree:
Drive Car of The Year, Best Medium Luxury SUV - 2021
Drive Car of The Year, Best Medium Luxury SUV - 2020
Wheels Australia’s Best Value Premium SUV – 2019
Drive Best Luxury SUV under $80K - 2019
Wheels Car of the Year - 2018
Car Sales Highly Recommended - 2018
Good Design Best Automotive Interior – 2018
Good Design Gold Good Design Award – 2018
Drive Best Luxury SUV under 80K – 2018
Australia’s Best Cars Best AWD SUV 65-125K - 2018
Drive Safety Innovation Award - 2017
Drive Best Luxury SUV under 80K - 2017

XC40 is as smart as it is stylish. The build quality, cabin appointments and drive experience are as good as it gets.” - Drive.

Function, Technology, Efficiency, Safety, and Value. The XC40 emphatically ticked them all to take the crown. Drive Car of The Year, Best Small Luxury SUV is regarded as one of the most coveted automotive prizes in Australia. This ultimate Volvo XC40 review complements the XC40’s newfound status. “Stylish form, practical functionality, the Volvo XC40 represents everything we admire about Volvo. Its greatest strength is perhaps the fact that the entry level model feels anything but entry grade.” - Drive

“You won’t find a more spacious premium SUV in this particular category,” wrote Wheels. “Sit in any other and they feel claustrophobic by comparison.”

With all-round good looks, safety, performance, functionality and value, the critics are in agreement.

Drive Car of The Year, Best Small Luxury SUV - 2023

Drive Car of The Year, Best Small Luxury SUV - 2022

Drive Car of The Year, Best Small Luxury SUV - 2021

Wheels Car of the Year - 2019

Car Sales Car of the Year - 2018

Good design award - 2018

“From the bold front grille to the beautifully detailed taillights it is every inch a Volvo. Uniquely Scandinavian, unmistakably urban, it is built for city life.” - Good Design Awards

“Yes, the Volvo XC40 is that good…” - Car Sales