Volvo XC60 is simply superb
THE new Volvo XC60 is so good it will steal plenty of sales from other SUVs like the BMW X3, Audi’s Q5 and the Land Rover Discovery.
The previous model, which had been on the market since 2008, was Volvo’s best seller – and the top-selling vehicle in its class for the whole of Europe.
I recently drove the most reasonable new model available – the XC60 Momentum diesel – and sent it back to Volvo with great regret.
It is hugely refined, family and driver friendly, and packed with the latest safety and communications technology.
But it goes right to the top of the class when it comes to comfort, and that over all surfaces. This will make it a huge number of friends in this country and around the world.
The D4 I drove gets a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine with 190bhp on tap, and permanent four-wheel drive (4WD) like all the models in the range.
Before I got behind the wheel, I thought performance might be lacking with “just” 190bhp in a big, heavy car, but I was completely wrong.
The 4WD helps get all the power down onto the tarmac through the eight-speed automatic gearbox, and there is plenty of acceleration.
Considering the size of this machine, the economy is brilliant and emissions very good indeed. In general driving, expect around a real 40mpg, which has to be very special.
As is usual with Volvo, there is a huge emphasis on safety, and this includes an autonomous emergency braking system that detects pedestrians, cyclists and large animals.
The interior is modern, user friendly and high quality and the vertical nine-inch Sensus touchscreen has to be one of the easiest to use.
The XC60 is quite simply superb.
The Volvo XC60 D4 Momentum I drove costs £37,200.