Volvo’s latest XC60 is a cautious evolution of ‘the formula’. Like its predecessor this is, basically, a more compact XC90.
Longer, wider and lower (yet no heavier) than before, its cabin is roomier to the particular benefit of rear seat occupants.
Standard of Interior fit and finish clearly aims to be up to ‘premium brand’ expectations.
Longer, wider and lower (yet no heavier) than before, its cabin is roomier to the particular benefit of rear seat occupants.
Standard of Interior fit and finish clearly aims to be up to ‘premium brand’ expectations.
Layout is conventional front-wheel drive with on-demand All-Wheel-Drive (4x4). A Haldex type pressure-activated clutch set kicks in varying the degree of torque from the rear axle as required (both on and off-road). In addition to the usual Drive Mode settings (‘Eco’, ‘Dynamic’ and ‘Individual’), 'Off Road’ can be dialled in.
Operational up to 25mph, this adjusts the powertrain and stability systems, activates hill descent control, increases power steering assistance and disables the engine stop-start function. With air suspension*, ground clearance is increased slightly too.
Standard equipment on all models includes an impressive nine-inch portrait-style centre-dash touch screen with Sensus navigation & connectivity with voice-control. On top of the usual urban pedestrian-cyclist-unseen car auto-braking, City Safety & Steer Assist can now detect large animals, cover junctions and, when not helping to keep you on the straight and narrow, lane-wise, will help with a collision-avoiding swerve.
There’s also an eight-inch active driver info-screen, front seats are heated and tailgate power-operated. However, front parking sensors, a reversing camera, Apple Car-Play and Android Auto should be standard at this price level.
Clean ‘Scandi-design’ has swept most switch and button functions into the nine-inch tablet-like touchscreen. But on the move it’s easy to hit the wrong screen or ‘icon’ or have to go back to ‘square one’. A return to physical switches for the air conditioning would be particularly welcome. There are times when, too easily perhaps, attention can be on the screen more than the road. That said, when it’s good it’s (very) good.
Car on test: D4 190ps R-Design 8-speed auto (£1,550 extra) – majority (business) choice. ‘PowerPulse’ injection 235ps D5 is faster but the D4 is available with a 6-speed manual gearbox (others auto only). And a D4 manual would not be the ‘poor relation’, the auto is not hugely responsive even when resorting to ‘manual mode’.
Despite the current ‘demonisation’ of diesel, it remains the engine of choice in a country such as Wales for larger vehicles - especially 4x4s where fuel consumption is a key factor. Petrol/hybrid makes more sense for low-mileage urban dwellers.
As for any premium car, going for a high-spec variant and loading it up even further is just what the marketing people want. Keeping to the cheaper models with a careful choice of the more useful options on the other hand works here, for example Winter Pack of Heated windscreen, steering wheel, wiper blades and Headlamp wash - £525.
The previous XC60 (2008-2017) was a major long-term success for Volvo - its best-selling car globally. No wonder then that the new model is carefully designed for a repeat performance. It’s a versatile, refined touring SUV of real appeal. It might not have the fluent dynamic poise of a Jaguar F-Pace, 4x4 prowess of a Land Rover Discovery Sport or all-round (if clinical) excellence of an Audi Q5 but it will tick the boxes for those who like the Nordic take on a quality motor car and a relaxed drive.
Model Range: £35,655-£57,950
Momentum; Momentum Pro; R-Design; R-Design Pro*; Inscription; Inscription Pro* (* air suspension & adaptive dampers included; £1,500 otherwise. Test car’s standard suspension quite satisfactory.) D4 & manual ‘box available on all: £35,655-£43,355.
Engine Line-Up: diesel D4 (190ps); D5 (235); Petrol T5 (250); Petrol-Electric T8 (320+87). All 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder. AWD 4x4 with hill descent and drive mode control.
D4 R-Design eight-speed auto:127mph; 0-62mph 8.4secs; 50.4mpg (official; 52.3 mpg 6-sp man); 37 on test; 37-38 (Trip Computer Avge); CO2 133/136g/km; Road Tax £200 (1styr) £140 thereafter; Ins Grp 31; Max Braked Trailer Weight 2,400kg.
By Huw Thomas
First published in Welsh Farmer, the newspaper of the Farmers' Union of Wales.
Operational up to 25mph, this adjusts the powertrain and stability systems, activates hill descent control, increases power steering assistance and disables the engine stop-start function. With air suspension*, ground clearance is increased slightly too.
Standard equipment on all models includes an impressive nine-inch portrait-style centre-dash touch screen with Sensus navigation & connectivity with voice-control. On top of the usual urban pedestrian-cyclist-unseen car auto-braking, City Safety & Steer Assist can now detect large animals, cover junctions and, when not helping to keep you on the straight and narrow, lane-wise, will help with a collision-avoiding swerve.
There’s also an eight-inch active driver info-screen, front seats are heated and tailgate power-operated. However, front parking sensors, a reversing camera, Apple Car-Play and Android Auto should be standard at this price level.
Clean ‘Scandi-design’ has swept most switch and button functions into the nine-inch tablet-like touchscreen. But on the move it’s easy to hit the wrong screen or ‘icon’ or have to go back to ‘square one’. A return to physical switches for the air conditioning would be particularly welcome. There are times when, too easily perhaps, attention can be on the screen more than the road. That said, when it’s good it’s (very) good.
Car on test: D4 190ps R-Design 8-speed auto (£1,550 extra) – majority (business) choice. ‘PowerPulse’ injection 235ps D5 is faster but the D4 is available with a 6-speed manual gearbox (others auto only). And a D4 manual would not be the ‘poor relation’, the auto is not hugely responsive even when resorting to ‘manual mode’.
Despite the current ‘demonisation’ of diesel, it remains the engine of choice in a country such as Wales for larger vehicles - especially 4x4s where fuel consumption is a key factor. Petrol/hybrid makes more sense for low-mileage urban dwellers.
As for any premium car, going for a high-spec variant and loading it up even further is just what the marketing people want. Keeping to the cheaper models with a careful choice of the more useful options on the other hand works here, for example Winter Pack of Heated windscreen, steering wheel, wiper blades and Headlamp wash - £525.
The previous XC60 (2008-2017) was a major long-term success for Volvo - its best-selling car globally. No wonder then that the new model is carefully designed for a repeat performance. It’s a versatile, refined touring SUV of real appeal. It might not have the fluent dynamic poise of a Jaguar F-Pace, 4x4 prowess of a Land Rover Discovery Sport or all-round (if clinical) excellence of an Audi Q5 but it will tick the boxes for those who like the Nordic take on a quality motor car and a relaxed drive.
Model Range: £35,655-£57,950
Momentum; Momentum Pro; R-Design; R-Design Pro*; Inscription; Inscription Pro* (* air suspension & adaptive dampers included; £1,500 otherwise. Test car’s standard suspension quite satisfactory.) D4 & manual ‘box available on all: £35,655-£43,355.
Engine Line-Up: diesel D4 (190ps); D5 (235); Petrol T5 (250); Petrol-Electric T8 (320+87). All 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder. AWD 4x4 with hill descent and drive mode control.
D4 R-Design eight-speed auto:127mph; 0-62mph 8.4secs; 50.4mpg (official; 52.3 mpg 6-sp man); 37 on test; 37-38 (Trip Computer Avge); CO2 133/136g/km; Road Tax £200 (1styr) £140 thereafter; Ins Grp 31; Max Braked Trailer Weight 2,400kg.
By Huw Thomas
First published in Welsh Farmer, the newspaper of the Farmers' Union of Wales.
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