Volvo XC60 SE D5 - Road Test Review

“Volvo already have their highly-
rated but big and bulky, seven-seat
XC90 models and the XC70 all-
terrain estate cars, but until the just-
launched XC60 it didn’t have a model
in the SUV heartland — Land Rover
Freelander, BMW X3 and Audi Q5
territory...”

HOWEVER, IN OUR TRAFFIC CONGESTED AND HARD-TO-PARK ENVIRONMENT, size matters very much indeed. The XC60 is not just a 'little brother' to the XC90. Its proportions are quite different: it is lower and has a sportier stance and looks less SUV-like, says Volvo.

It is 17cm shorter and 7cm lower than an XC90, and 20cm shorter than an XC70. Overall length, at 4,628 mm, is longer than the class average (BMW X3: 4,569mm; Land Rover Freelander: 4,500mm) and this is translated into extra cabin and carrying length.

Practicality is further boosted by Volvo's clever 40:20:40 split/folding rear seats. The seats fold down easily thanks to simple to use one-touch levers. Sensibly, the resulting load bay floor is also perfectly flat. The boot opens to reveal a wide and high entry space that makes loading easy and the capacity ranges from 495 to 1,455 litres, so the stereotype Volvo owner with the Labrador dog and 2.4 children or the New Age premium SUV owners with their 'his' and 'hers' mountain-bikes are all just as easily catered for.

The exterior styling with its new Volvo face (similar in overall design and proportions to the latest Audi grille) gives us a muscular and bulky SUV-type vehicle south of the waistline and a narrower coupé style above the beltline. A strange mix. But it works because it is imposing: you will notice this vehicle when you see one.

The seating positions are high up within the body for good exterior visibility and headroom is not an issue. The layout is conventional, the positioning of the many switches and controls take a little getting used to, the steering column levers are hidden behind the broad steering wheel spokes and the quality of some of the hard plastic door trims around the window controls could be improved. Take a look at an X3 or the new Q5 to see the quality owners of 'premium' vehicles really should expect.

Safety features and functions are a 'given' with a Volvo, and the XC60 probably exceeds everything the brand has to offer with their other models. Actually, the company is claiming it to be the safest Volvo yet and the safest car in its class. From the standard all-wheel drive — which automatically distributes the power to the wheels needing it most — to the stability, traction and bodyroll controls to the usual array of airbags and anti-whiplash head restraints, everything is present and correct.

The new City Safety system, which stops drivers running into the back of stationary or slower moving vehicles, is a standard fit item. It seems to work well as we jousted with inflatable cars using the new XC60s at the media launch. The only drawback is that the system, which operates at speeds below 19mph, doesn't recognise pedestrians or two-wheel riders because they do not offer enough mass for the three on-board lasers to consistently detect them. Still, it's a worthy effort to bring more practical but unobtrusive safety technology to market. City Safety can be switched off, but is automatically applied each time the ignition is switched on.

Of the three engines available from launch (two 2.4-litre, D5 five-cylinder diesel units tuned to give either 161 or 182bhp in the D5 specification and a 3.0-litre, straight-six 281bhp petrol), the two oil-burners will take virtually all of the XC60 sales. The D5 is expected to be the marginally most popular but during testing this week in Scotland there appeared to be very little to choose between them. The real-life fuel economy of 33mpg was roughly the same, and so was the engine response. My view? Go for the lower power output and save some money in these cash-strapped times.

The diesel units sound a little 'gruff' and produce vibrations which transfer to the pedals and steering wheel. By comparison, the latest German or French diesel power units are more refined. However, both these units were well matched with the Geartronic automatic transmission and this would be my preferred choice over the six-speed manual 'box. But going 'automatic' means less mpg, a higher initial purchase cost and, if it applies to you, more company car tax.

For the record, the two five-cylinder diesel engines officially deliver 37.7mpg on the combined fuel cycle when fitted with the standard six-speed manual transmission, and emit 199 g/km of CO2. The British-built T6 petrol engine returns 23.7mpg with 284g/km of CO2.

So, just how good is it? The not so good news is that it is costly in a competitive market and, for its size, the towing capacity (1,800kg braked) is not the best. Heading up the list of the new XC60's good points are its comprehensive safety features, new sporty image, versatile seating/load combinations and capable handling.

In addition, the XC60 is also a comfortable car to ride in: it's not sloppy or too soft or too hard and unforgiving. It is, in fact, a very good combination that others could do well to follow. The on-road handling is good, the steering offers decent feedback and it's very capable. I would suspect that off-road the performance will be marginal but I look forward to giving it a try in the future. Impressed? Yes, certainly — surprisingly so, in fact. — David Miles

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