Stunning ‘sport-cute’ is a cushy ride
In R-Design, this vehicle oozes power, but don’t expect curve-hugging, road-feeling prowess
David Booth: Despite all the headlines that the XC90 generates — Volvo’s most profitable export ever is one that particularly stands out — this is Volvo’s top global seller, the one-size-smaller, significantly cheaper and quite a bit cuter XC60. It is 120 millimetres shorter than its bigger brother, but it is 90 mm bigger than its predecessor. It’s also more expensive, better equipped and sportier, thanks to the same basic powertrains as the heavier XC90, all attributes which, Volvo hopes, will keep it at the front end of the luxury “sport-cute” segment.
The new Volvo is more attractive than BMW’s slab-sided X3, more svelte than Lexus’s RX350 and, truth be told, a whole bunch tidier than Mercedes GLC.
Peter Bleakney: You’re right about the cute part. Actually, I’d say dead sexy, baby, here in R-Design guise with $900 Bursting Blue paint and on $1,000 21-inch alloys (19s are standard). Design is a big element of the XC60’s appeal. Same with the cabin; there’s a simple, elegant Nordic esthetic, and the materials and execution are top shelf. Although, with an as-tested price of $68,400 (base $55,450 for the R-Design), this fully kitted tester better be impressive.
Thing is, the R-Design’s visuals have written a cheque the chassis can’t cash. As far as dynamic acumen goes, the XC60 is really more cruiser than crusher. This XC60 R-Design, even with its standard Sport Chassis, never really gels, with numb steering directing a chassis that can’t find its groove. Although, I suppose we could say all that doesn’t really count when it comes to the average premium-CUV buyer. What does matter is ride quality.
DB: Spot on, Peter, but I think the reason it is a bit of a cush-mobile is that the previous generation elicited complaints of a buckboard ride. Erring on the side of squishiness, Volvo is probably targeting Audi’s clientele rather than Porsche’s. Of course, that just leaves open the possibility of a Polestar version. With all the hoopla surrounding the electrification of the Polestar brand, it’s easy to forget that Volvo’s in-house tuning brand is still going to be upgrading Volvo’s traditional powertrains. So imagine the same vehicle with firmer suspenders and, more importantly in my view, that 367-horsepower version of Volvo’s semi-manic super- and turbocharged 2.0-litre four.
PB: True enough. I’m sure Polestar could turn the XC60 into a whole whack of fun. Look what it did with Volvo’s V60 sport wagon; that thing is a truly sorted terror. Yolanda Yoga wants to know if this new Volvo will zip her to the mall with the comfort and cachet of a Mercedes, BMW or Audi. She certainly will love the suede sport seats in this R-Design; they hug you like your auntie on Christmas. Volvo’s big portrait-oriented touch screen is pretty slick too, what with all the groovy pinch and swipe functions. But still, I find accessing most things (like HVAC and radio functions) to require way too many distracting prods on the screen. Give me some good old-fashioned radio preset buttons and rotary HVAC controls any day. Or is this just rampant old-fartism?
DB: You really are old, aren’t you? You have spent too much time playing those old Anne Murray tunes. Now, granted I’m with you on the radio presets, but my favourite upgrade is Volvo’s new Sensus infotainment interface. I love the vertical format, I love swiping right for different functions and my favourite part is that choosing from all those — how many are there, like 160 plus? — Sirius radio stations is a doodle with Volvo’s new system. With Audi’s system you have to highlight each specific channel to see what’s playing; Volvo displays them all at once.
PB: I’ll have you know we rocked pretty hard with Anne. And speaking of rocking, that $3,250 Bowers and Wilkins Premium Sound kicks proverbial arse. I would definitely tick that box. In fact, looking at the spec sheet of this tester, you’d be doing a lot of box ticking to get all the goods. We know Volvo is legendary when it comes to safety, but they’re asking you to pay extra for a good chunk of it. Yes, lane-departure warning and City Safety with collision mitigation (detects pedestrians, cyclists and large animals) are standard issue. But you’re ponying up for blind-spot detection with cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise, active lane-keeping aid, head-up display and heated wiper blades, all part of cleverly configured packages. Volvo also asks extra for a heated steering wheel, a feature which in my books is the best thing since beer in a can.
What do you make of Volvo using only a 2.0-L four cylinder for all its applications?
DB: I think it is absolutely key to the company’s recent success for two reasons. One, it is a great engine. In Polestar form it is absolutely stonking. Even in pedestrian form, it still mimics the performance of a stout V-6 and doesn’t sound thrashy.
More importantly, it makes business sense to develop only one (costly) internal combustion engine architecture. From there Volvo adds a turbocharger, super and turbocharger, or super and turbocharger mated to a hybrid electric motor. And diesel. This is absolutely brilliant for a car company with limited R & D resources and lets it offer power outputs akin to other automakers’ four-, six- and eight-cylinder powertrains with one simple engine.
PB: And we must give a nod to Chinese owner Geely for its hands-off approach. Geely supplies the funds and lets the Swedes do what they do best. The biggest challenge for Volvo now is market perception. It has to ditch the conservative dog-toting, sweater-wearing family wagon image and nurture this cool, premium upscale Nordic thing.
DB: I agree with the chassis guru, PB, but not with the whole perception thing. I think they need to stay kind of quirky. Indeed, I think it would be the death of Volvo if it became just another me-too-BMW. Volvo desperately needs to stand out with unique engineering and styling. Any more svelte and gazellelike and the XC60 would be an X3. Let Volvo be Volvo! Trying to copy the Germans would definitely be “untrue.”
PB: Rock on, Dave.