Well-rounded
All-new vehicle from the Swedish automaker hits the right mark with this high-end showpiece
Confidence is a term that’s often used when describing cars, but perhaps no vehicle on the market embodies that word more than the new 2018 Volvo XC60.
The latest all-new vehicle from the Swedish automaker hits the right mark in so many ways, but what will make it stand out is how it can turn stressful and potentially dangerous situations into non-issues.
While the automaker will say that it didn’t just shrink the current (and popular) XC90, this new vehicle certainly shares a lot with that bigger, more premium SUV. Engines, for example, are pretty much the same, as you can get the XC60 with the same T5 turbocharged four-cylinder making 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.
Other, more advanced powertrains are available, too, like the supercharged and turbocharged T6 engine with 316 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.
The T8 model builds on that with an electric motor and battery, turning the XC60 into a plug-in hybrid with 400 combined horsepower and 472 combined lb-ft of torque. Don’t ask me where the T7 engine is. Maybe Volvo only likes one prime number in its powertrain lineup.
More trims and packages On hand in sunny Barcelona, Spain, were T6-equipped Volvo XC60 Inscription models, which are fairly well-equipped. While T5 models will cost somewhere in the mid$40,000s, T6 models will be about $50,000, and T8 models will swing in around $70,000 before all those PHEV incentives. You can get the T6 in three different trim levels: Momentum, R-Design and Inscription.
Momentum is the base model, although you’ll be surprised at all the standard equipment included, such as City Safety, which can automatically bring the car to a complete stop to prevent a collision. R-Design models are considered to be the sportier trim with more aggressive trim bits, unique wheels and seats, and paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Inscription models are the topline trim and include premium items like cooled and heated Nappa leather seats and sexy open-pore wood interior trimmings. Highlights of my test vehicle included the upgraded Bowers & Wilkins sound system, a headup display, four-corner air suspension, blind-spot assist, adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.
The advanced safety features are a huge part of what makes the car so easy to drive. Confidence is built through a car that can handle itself as well as you can. The adaptive cruise control is proactive and doesn’t hatch butterflies in my stomach as the XC60 approaches slower traffic.
The forward collision system can also detect when you’re reacting to a stopped or slower vehicle in front of you and assist you in manoeuvring around it. Don’t mistake that for an autopilot system, though. This just ensures that when you direct the car around the obstacle, it’s done in a smooth and controlled way. That forward collision system can also work in tandem with the lane-keep system to see if you’re drifting, and save you by selectively applying brakes to keep you in your lane. That lane keep system will also work with the blindspot information system to prevent you from changing lanes and sideswiping a car next to you. Confidence arrives with the car taking an active interest in keeping you and your passengers safe. Supercharged, turbocharged, confident acceleration Confidence comes with that supercharged and turbocharged engine, too. The engine certainly feels less stressed in this car than it does in the larger and heavier XC90. Highway speeds arrive in under six seconds with the T6, while the T5 does the trick in 6.8 seconds, and the T8 does it in 5.3. An eight-speed automatic transmission does duty directing that engine’s power into usable motion, and all engines come standard with all-wheel drive. The XC60 may come across as a portly car, ranging between 1,769 kilograms to 2,177 kg, but it feels lighter than it is. Towing capability is rated at 1,587 kg, which should be good for small watercrafts.
Confidence is inspired on the road, too, but it’s clear the XC60 isn’t as stiff or sporty as some of its German rivals, although maybe that might be rectified with the R-Design model. On the flip side, the vehicle is extremely comfortable, floating through curves without upsetting the car at all. The air suspension is a huge asset here, and if you’re the type to prefer smooth driving over sporty driving, it’s the optional upgrade tailored for you. Steering is light, although it can be modified to be a bit heavier through the various drive modes. Modern, clean, quiet cabin Something that stood out while on the road was how quiet the car was. The cabin is isolated and serene, and conversations between myself and my passenger were only interrupted by the navigation system. The interior design is also killer, and except for a few hard plastic areas around switches on the doors, it is full of premium touches. The driftwood interior is an amazing addition to a very clean and modern dashboard that has done away with all unnecessary controls.
The Sensus touchscreen system is a vertical screen that incorporates swiping gestures, just like a tablet. In past iterations, it felt like there was a lot of small text that was difficult for the driver to read, and while the new revision hasn’t completely fixed the small touch points on the infotainment system, it is much better. An- droid Auto and Apple CarPlay are also supported. It’s nice to see Volvo adopting a top-notch audio setup in its cars, and the optional Bowers & Wilkins sound system is no slouch and packs a ton of settings to make your music really pop.
The Volvo XC60 is slightly less spacious than the Audi Q5 and features less head room than the BMW X3, but more legroom. Total cargo space is a pretty solid 1,792 L, which is on par with the X3 and more than the Q5. You can flip down the rear head rests with a button on the touchscreen, and the rear seats can be folded via a button in the cargo area. The trunk lid is power operated as well, as expected in this class. The car should be a good fit with small families as there’s a pair of USB ports in the arm rest, and a rubber-coated slot under the rear seats that can conceal an iPad. The Verdict All these little details help the car feel less like an appliance and more like a proud purchase. It fills its job better than just any appliance — it’s now a high-end showpiece like a fancy Nespresso machine or KitchenAid mixer. With the confidence brought by the XC60, I feared that perhaps it would lose its charm, but that’s not the case at all. The SUV makes driving easy, not a chore and certainly not a headache. High-tech and modern, this is probably the most well-rounded car in the lineup.