Safer reversing the Volvo way
You return to your car at the supermarket to find a large van has parked next to you. With zero visibility of oncoming trac until you’ve moved back at least two metres, reversing out is a game of Russian roulette.
But our V60 has two features to make it less terrifying. One is a rear-view camera with a hugely wide field of vision; the other, a rear Cross Trac Alert system that’s part of our car’s optional £1600 Drive Assist safety suite.
The audible warning about passing cars and pedestrians is useful, but it escalates to lurchy braking far too early, often when pedestrians are miles from the back of the car.
CHRIS CHILTON