TRAVEL SMART
How Volvo is leading the way in the industry with its innovative, revamped XC60
The word “luxury” gets thrown around a lot when it comes to cars. Luxury handling. Luxury trim. Luxury cup holder. You begin to wonder: who’s it actually for? In Volvo’s book, luxury is defined by experience, not just aesthetic. You can pack a car with the most extravagant finishes and world-first features but, to paraphrase Marie Kondo, if it doesn’t spark joy, what’s the point?
True luxury, Volvo states, is about small, unflashy details; thoughtful additions that once you’ve been introduced to, you won’t be able to live without. The new XC60 premium mid-size SUV defines this with modern design and seamless technology, backed by Volvo’s legacy of human-centric innovation, combining maximum performance, industry-leading safety features and sustainable options to help you reduce your environmental impact. It’s a meeting of sharp style and genuine substance, where all the specs actually add up to something tangibly different.
On first impressions, the new Volvo XC60 is confident without being garish. There’s a comforting familiarity — the result, no doubt, of the sheer ubiquitousness of the original XC60, which quickly became a bestseller when it was introduced in 2008. The 2022 model, a refined update to the second generation XC60, follows the “If it ain’t broke, why fix it?” school of revamp, refining and distilling the spirit of the original.
Up front, sharply sculpted contours lead the eye down to a bold, angular grille, flanked by full-LED headlights that incorporate Volvo’s distinctive Thor’s Hammer (if you’re not up to speed on Norse and/or Marvel mythology, think a striking T-shaped bolt that serves as turn indicator and position light). There are more LEDs at the rear, in a distinctive hook shape that emphasises the sleek, muscular structure, complemented by chrome accents.
The clever stuff really kicks in once the car’s unlocked. Loading the boot for a weekend trip or a Saturday of sport? Just wave your foot underneath the bumper and, hey presto: hands-free, fully powered opening (on certain models the rear floor drops 2in for easier loading, while all have controls in the boot for folding down the back seats). When climbing into the car, you’ll notice that the door wraps around the seal, an ingenious touch that will save countless trouser hems from getting dirtied. It’s simple but considerate design choices like these that make getting from A to B less of a chore and more of a ritual.
Stepping inside, the interior is bright and feels spacious, thanks, in large part, to the retracting, panoramic sunroof, clean lines and neutral tones. As you sink into the driver’s seat — classically Volvo, boasting heating, ventilation, massage and four-way lumbar support wrapped in Nappa leather or a wool blend for ultimate comfort — you’ll drop your phone into the convenient built-in wireless charger and find your eye drawn to the expansive, Android-powered 9in touchscreen. Here’s where you’ll control your climate
(including air filtration), navigation and safety features; choose one of five driving modes, including an eco preset to help you manage your carbon footprint; and, just as importantly, cue up your soundtrack. Whether you’re starting the working day with a podcast or adventuring to a carefully curated playlist, you’ll be enveloped by the outrageously crisp sound of a custom 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system.
It’s all incredibly intuitive, bolstered by Android and iOS connectivity, downloadable apps and a voice-controlled Google Assistant, which you can instruct to turn on the heating, play your favourite music or even find your nearest restaurant and take you straight there.
For those wanting a more eco-friendly option, the XC60 is also available with hybrid technology. The XC60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid allows you to drive for up to 31 miles on a single charge in pure electric mode; given that 75% of all journeys are less than 30 miles, it’s ideal for lunchtime training sessions, commutes and school runs.
When you’re freed from the shackles of routine, you can open up the sunroof, kick into the dynamic sports mode and relish in the unadulterated thrill of driving, taking advantage of the considerable power underneath the hood (four-litre turbo-charged engine configurations reach up to 405HP). For true escapism, optional intelligent all-wheel drive gives you control and stability wherever you are, making the car as at home on city roads as it is off them.
This being a Volvo, safety is assured. The XC60 is based on the brand’s Scalable Product Architecture platform, which achieves superior strength and crash protection without added weight. Smart technology works seamlessly from the moment you start driving, with intelligent driver assistance helping to prevent collisions by detecting cyclists, pedestrians and large animals, and applying the brakes automatically. A blindspot feature assists with steering if changing lanes presents a risk, while the same self-steering technology will also help you keep in lane when driving down long country roads, and aid with emergency manoeuvres. Perhaps most impressive is the bird’s-eye-view function — parking assistance comprising four separate cameras that come together to give a 360º top-down view.
Overall, the XC60 is designed to suit you, whatever your lifestyle, leaning heavily on smart innovation to anticipate your every driving need. For more on the Volvo XC60’s human-centric design and sustainable credentials, visit volvocars.co.uk
The Volvo XC60 is designed to suit you, whatever your lifestyle, leaning heavily on smart innovation to anticipate your every driving need