It is time for a new car. But you do not want a car this time. You want a change and you quite fancy an off-roader. The trouble is, you are worried you will end up with something that handles like a bus. Well, fear not and say hello to the Volvo XC60 the SUV that thinks it is a car and drives like a hot-hatch.
I will start with the outlook and tell you why I think it could potentially convert executive sedan drivers into SUV owners. It has the height of your typical SUV, but at the same time, the silhouette of a coupe – making it stand out, particularly in the sea of SUVs you normally see in the parking lots.
Dimension wise, the XC60 is 4,628mm long, 1,713mm tall and 1,891mm wide. It is still significantly larger than the Land Rover Freelander 2 and BMW X3. The rear, which I find the most prolific, takes the cake for thinking out of the box – especially those svelte tail lights which bring out the broad shoulders very well. Plus, those twin exhaust pipes should be able to warn tailgaters that the XC60 is no ordinary SUV. Up front, the XC60 gets a less angular face that sees cool LED lights placed between the trapezoidal grill and curvy headlamp, while a closer scrutiny should show off the finer details of the bumper.
Inside, the XC60 has the fundamentals of a Volvo – solid, well put together and simply premium. Storage areas are in abundance, leg, shoulder and head rooms are ample, with a sprawling boot space to boot. Even the seats are nicely contoured, with the rear seats able to seat three full-sized adults with ease. The floating center console remains, and the controls are well laid out for the driver. It does not lack in features either – premium tech and sound audio system (with iPod and auxiliary input), power seats for driver and front passenger, reverse camera, Bluetooth hands free system and rear air-con vent all come standard in the XC60.
The XC60 is propelled by a 2,953cc 6-cylinder turbocharged power plant, and mated to a 6 speed adaptive Geartronic automatic transmission, produces a potent 210kW at 5,600 rpm, with 400 Nm of torque kicking in from as low as 1,500 rpm. Power is transmitted to all four wheels, pushing this 1,912 kg SUV from 0 to 100 km in a scanty 7.5 seconds. So how is that for an SUV? Impressive eh?
I grew up with a Volvo 240GL Injection and then a 740GL in the family, and looking at where Volvo is standing now in design context, well, definitely impresses. Who would have thought that Volvo, previously known as the “Scandinavian box on wheels”, has the ability to come up with such a design?
Flooring the loud pedal, the XC60 engine immediately roars into life, launching the SUV forward without much tyre squealing drama. So smoothly the Geartronic auto box works, it is easy to see the gear climb up to its sixth speed without you even realizing it.
Coupled to a Haldex All-Wheel Drive system, the XC60 is not only comfortable, but handles well for an SUV that is almost 2 meters tall. The XC60 never fails to stick stubbornly to your intended line of travel with stubborn determination despite impossible speeds and awkward steering angle we throw at it. Body-roll though present, is not pronounced.
At the end of the day, I only have admiration and respect for the engineers who designed and built this car. It sure is no sports car, the handling that is, but I am sure this is one of the best handling SUV out there in the market.
In all, the XC60 is a capable handler, classy and powerful – all in the name of beating BMW’s X3 and Audi’s Q5 at their game – which I had no doubt the XC60 will stand up to the competition as a worthy contender.
If I had to choose between the three SUV, the answer will be a no-brainer – the XC60 will be it.
The XC60 is a stunner. There are a few sharp angles here and there, but by large, softer, more rounded curves dominate the XC60. In keeping with their design heritage, the trademark shoulder line which begins at the front and runs along the length of the vehicle’s body is still present. In contrast to older models however, there is a good amount of femininity in the design. The XC60 is really sculpted.
Because Volvo is a Swedish company, you will find yourself immersed in their typical Scandinavian interior. The controls are clearly laid out, and score high in the ergonomics department. Buttons are clearly labelled, and there is no need to grab the car’s manual in order to figure stuff out – the same reason why most people would still purchase a Nokia phone. The XC60 has all the elements to impress buyers looking around in this segment, and in all honesty, the asking price makes it very tempting proposition.
Well done, Volvo.
THE NEW VOLVO XC60 T6
Engine: 2,953cc 24 valves DOHC turbocharged
Power: 210 kW at 5,600 rpm
Max torque: 400 Nm at 1,500 – 4,800 rpm
Fuel grade: Premium unleaded
Brakes: front: ventilated disc rear: solid disc ABS EBD and Brake Assist
Transmission: six speed adaptive Geartonic
Fuel Tank: 70 litres
Weight: 1,912 kg
Basic Price: $64,950 plus ORC
Warranty: 3 Years / unlimited
Note: ORC – “recommended price before statutory and delivery charges”.