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23/02/2009
By EWAN KENNEDY
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Slow starters in the SUV field, probably because they thought the craze wouldn’t last, the Europeans are now hotly into the compact SUV market.
The latest arrival is from Sweden. The Volvo XC60 is described by its designers as being a cross between a coupe and an SUV. But, we feel it's a genuine SUV, and would have it no other way from a company that specialises in sensible vehicles.
 Whereas the larger Volvo XC90 is very much a family wagon with all that means in the way of a practical body shape, the new XC60 has a sportier note.
The styling is significantly bolder than anything offered by Volvo before, and that arguably includes the coupe and convertible models.
The front grille is big, stands tall and has a large Volvo ‘iron mark’ symbol in the centre. The traditional diagonal bar across the centre is shorter than usual but it's shape is bold.
The wedge shape of the body as it tapers to the rear works well and finishes with strong, broad shoulders. The very Volvo taillights make full use of the big shoulders, and the use of LED lights leads to some fascinating effects at night.
Volvo claims that the XC60 is the safest car that it has ever produced, indeed it says this new model may be the safest car on the road today. Standard features include front, side and curtain airbags, ABS brakes with emergency brake assist, stability and traction control, lane departure warning, collision warning with automatic braking, blind spot information system and driver alert control.
There's also an all-new system called City Safety that strives to eliminate all low-speed crashes by applying the brakes should it sense the car is closing too fast on a vehicle in front in city and suburban traffic conditions.
On the road we were impressed by the low levels of noise intrusion and by the fact that the XC60 is almost car-like in the way it handles bends. Sure, you can feel the higher centre of gravity compared to a pure passenger car, but the levels of road grip are much higher than those likely to be attempted by the average owner.
 Inside, there's genuine space for four adults, and a fifth still has a decent amount of room to move.
Volvo's new XC60 currently comes with a choice between two engines, both familiar from other models in the range. The XC60 T6 uses a straight-six 3.0-litre turbo-petrol, the D5 is an interesting five-cylinder 2.4-litre turbo-diesel.
The T6 has maximum power of 210 kilowatts while the D5 reaches 136 kW. Peak torque is 400 Newton metres in both engines. That number is available on the diesel between 2000 and 2750 rpm, the petrol all the way from 1500 to 4800 revs.
A smaller turbo-diesel is likely to come to Australia later in the year.
The six-cylinder petrol engine is the more refined of the two. It accelerates smoothly and cruises effortlessly on the open road.
 Not that the diesel is unrefined, it has little of the clatter that was a feature of older diesels. When sitting inside the car it's only at start-up and at idle are you aware that the D5 isn’t a petrol unit.
Though it's not really intended to be an off-road vehicle, Volvo XC60 has above-average ground clearance of 230 mm. Indeed that gives it more distance off the terrain than many few dedicated 4WDs.
Front-wheel-drive models are available in some other markets, but are unlikely to be offered to Australian buyers because 4WDs enjoy a price advantage in our importation regulations.
The complete Volvo XC60 range, with prices (excluding on-road costs) is:
XC60 D5: $57,950
XC60 D5 LE: $64,450
XC60 T6: $64,950 |
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