A 5-passenger Swede that comes out swinging
Special to The Okanagan Weekend
For a near-mainstream automaker, Volvo’s enhanced lineup of Sweden-built vehicles is perhaps surprisingly competitive with betterknown and more-popular luxury rivals, such as the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Cadillac XT5.
The 2018 XC60 — due out later this summer — is a five-passenger utility vehicle that represents a new breed of Volvo. It also plays a critical role in the automaker’s increasing global popularity; the previous model accounted for about 30 per cent of total sales for the brand.
The new 2018 model is sleeker and far more artful than before. It’s right there with Jaguar’s arrestingly gorgeous F-Pace wagon. Of particular note the signature “Thor’s hammer” LED headlights and taillamps that are intended to provide instant identification.
Compared to the outgoing model, the new XC60 is about five centimetres longer overall, more than 10 centimetres wider and it gains about nine centimetres between the front and rear wheels. On the plus side, rear-seat passengers get more legroom and elbowroom. On the minus side, there’s a bit less total cargo space, which is likely the result of a more aerodynamically shaped body with a longer hood and a less upright liftgate.
Unlike the previous XC60, this one rides on Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA). The larger XC90 and V90 wagons and the S90 sedan also use it. The platform will eventually be adopted by other Volvo models.
If the XC60’s exterior is a vision of joy, the same can be said for the interior.
Accommodations are first rate and copied from no other competitor. The front seats are especially well bolstered and the 23- and optional 31-centimetre touch-screens are surrounded by wood and aluminum garnish.
Keeping the XC60 on the boil is a trio of 2.0litre four-cylinder engines. The base version in the T5 model is turbocharged and produces 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The supercharged and turbocharged 2.0 in the T6 literally boosts total output to 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet. Here, the supercharger increases low-speed power, while the turbo increases power at higher revs.
The XC60 T8 plug-in hybrid calls on a pair of electric motors to assist the turbo-supercharged 2.0 for a combined system output of 400 horses and 472 pound-feet.
With an estimated 48 kilometres of electriconly driving range, the T8 is ideally suited for commuting in gridlock as well as launching the 2,100-kilogram beast when max acceleration is desired. The zero-to-60-mph (96 km-h) time is in the 5.3-second range.
All models operate through eight-speed automatic transmissions.
For the time being, every XC60 is equipped with all-wheel-drive, regardless of engine choice, but that doesn’t preclude front-wheeldrive models becoming available at some point. Note that engine and transmission availability exactly mirrors that of the larger seven-passenger XC90.
The XC60 is sold in Momentum, R-Design and Inscription trim levels that can be mixed and matched with any of the three powertrains.
At a $47,300 starting price, the base T5 Momentum has a panoramic sunroof, leather-covered seats (10-way power-operated in front), power liftgate and, being a Volvo, standard active safety technology such as lanekeeping assist and pedestrian detection.
The R-Design has a sport suspension and sport front seats, shifter paddles, navigation system, dynamic drive-mode settings — for changing the engine, transmission, suspension and steering settings — and upgraded interior/exterior trim. The top-end Inscription trim gets quad-zone climate control, hands-free power liftgate and some other doodads. BMW X3 xDrive 35i Base price: $54,950. Luxury and sportiness in an attractive package. Optional 300-h.p.twin-turbo is quick. Audi Q5 Base price: $47,200. New-for-2018 model has improved looks, added power. AWD is standard.
Inscription buyers can also order the air suspension and higher-end front seats with massage. The optional Pilot Assist works with the adaptive cruise control and can take over the steering function at highway speeds.
Through continuous refinement of its products, Volvo has regained a reputation for innovation and relevance in a me-too automotive environment. The latest XC60 is the embodiment of that approach.