SWEDE BAR FROM VOLVO
NOWADAYS, with an ocean of information merely a few clicks away, more people do online research to help in their car purchasing decision. Volvo is, of course, not too alien a brand in Malaysia, but when scouring the Internet for a premium vehicle, chances are buyers will stumble upon the regular German brands instead.
To many people, Volvo’s reputation, presence and desirability are still debatable. However, the Swedish brand has been upping its game in the recent years, particularly with their new design language.
This new Volvo XC60 T8 Inscription Plus is the latest testament to that and must be really considered if you are in the market of a premium mid-size sport utility vehicle (SUV).
Why, you may ask? Yes, the MercedesBenz GLC250 and BMW X3 xDrive30i might be more popular and they’re cheaper, too; RM325,888 and RM320,000 (estimated) respectively, but you’re getting a lot more stuff with the XC60 T8.
Packaged in the Volvo XC60 T8 Inscription Plus are the efficient but capable Drive-E powertrain, posh cabin, practical gadgets, a host of safety equipment in Intellisafe Preventive Safety as well as Pro- tective Safety and the smart Pilot Assist semi-autonomous systems.
So, at RM343,888, I would say that the XC60 carries more value for money.
Styling wise, the exterior of the Volvo XC60 is neat and handsome, helped mainly by its “Thor’s hammer” LED daytime running lights and the sporty 19-inch wheels.
The cabin is upholstered in soft and luxurious leather on most surfaces, and displays excellent build quality.
There’s a lot to be appreciated here, too, such as the shiny metal strips across the dashboard, tiny Sweden flag for the driver’s seat tag, diamond-cut engine start/stop knob and Orrefors crystal gear lever with illumination, to name a few.
All the switches, toggles and flaps are also delightfully-weighted, as suggested by Thomas Ingenlath (Volvo’s chief design officer), that operating all of the switches and toggles on Volvo cars are not simply just a chore, but an experience. The XC60 T8 is not only blessed with an array of kits and equipment, but nearly all of them are practical and not gimmicky.
For instance, the digital instrument cluster is responsive in displaying the energy management of the vehicle.
Drivers can easily tell if the vehicle is propelled by an internal combustion en-