1. VOLVO XC60
Price From £35,000 (est) On sale Summer
VOLVO is in the middle of the biggest new-model offensive in its history – and the XC60 is likely to play a key role in the company’s continued recovery. The new generation of the car shares next to no components with its predecessor; instead, it’s based on the SPA chassis tech that also underpins the larger XC90 SUV.
That commonality transfers to the engine line-up, because like its bigger brother, the XC60 will offer a choice of four-cylinder diesel and petrol engines, or a four-cylinder petrolelectric hybrid. There’s no return for the old car’s five-cylinder unit, let alone a six-cylinder; in fact, Volvo’s determination to downsize its motors means that a three-cylinder engine is more likely. All cars will be four-wheel drive for starters, but front-drive editions will follow later.
Inside, the XC60 is like a mini-xc90, with excellent materials and the same portraitorientated infotainment screen mounted high up in the centre of the dashboard.
It’ll get the bigger car’s safety tech as well, with a new standard system that can help steer your XC60 away from a collision.