Reinvention
D5 (173kW/480Nm), T5 (187kW/350Nm) and T6 (235kW/400Nm) models. All are turbocharged, except the T6 which is turbo and supercharged. All engines will come with a choice of Momentum, Inscription or R Design trim lines.
The test units I drove in Spain were all specced with optional air suspension, so I can’t speak for the standard steel-sprung setups, but my word, this is one exceptionally soft riding SUV. The XC60 is a bit shorter in wheelbase and narrower in track than the larger 90, but big brother has still passed on its wonderfully supple road manners.
The 60 goes about business in a very mature and refined way, soaking up whatever surface imperfections it rolls over.
There’s a noticeable airiness to the cabin (especially so with blond nappa leather and light driftwood dash inlays), and 360 degree visibility from the driver’s seat is very good. A central 23cm portrait-shaped touchscreen is inherited from other current “Thor’s hammer” models, and because it houses most onboard controls the dash layout is quite minimalist in typical Scandinavian fashion.
It’s a dazzling display of vivid colour and crisp graphics, but its operation will take some getting used to if you’re not au fait with these modern day touch-type systems. Simply adjusting bass and treble is a complex procedure, and fine tuning the satnav can be torturous for less tech-savvy people.
Cabin quality is next level. I’d say it’s even a notch above the Germans, with perfect attention to detail in all areas. There’s a teeny-weeny Swedish flag stitched into the passenger seat’s side piping, and the thin stainless steel beading that flows along the width of the dash gets a flea-sized flag embossed into its surface.
Tiny things that make a lot of difference.
Even the (optional) 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins grilles wouldn’t look out of place in a Rolls Royce. It’s that good.
The new XC60’s south African arrival is too distant to confirm pricing, but expect a bit of a hike over the current XC60 which ranges from R630 000 to R724 000. That should put it right in line with rival GLCs, X3s and Q5s.