Highlights: The brand’s best-selling vehicle allows drivers to find and pay for parking from the car. The Volvo XC60 is the only luxury crossover in the segment, offering a pair of fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engines.
Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $50,725 (Base Model starts at $36,675)
Seating Capacity: 5
Standard Safety Features: airbags (driver, front, side curtain); active high beam lights; road sign information alerting the driver of posted speed limits; ABS; collapsible steering wheel; stability-traction control; electric parking brake; LED Daytime running lights; soft nose and energy absorbing hood for accidents; a whiplash protection seating system; a tire pressure monitoring system; and Volvo’s City Safety System which includes an automatic braking system at low speeds, when an object appears in front of the vehicle.
Standard Equipment: 18-inch wheels; front-wheel drive; a 6-speed transmission; a rain sensor wiper system; steering wheel audio controls; dual zone climate control system; non leather seats; power driver’s seat with three-position memory; and a manual tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel
Suspension System:
Front-MacPherson strut-with asymmetrically-mounted coil springs
Rear-Multilink independent
Standard Audio: an 8-speaker, 160-watt AM/FM/HD/6-month satellite radio subscription
Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty:
4 years or 50,000 miles
Bluetooth Compatibility: Yes
USB and iPod Compatibility: Yes
Standard Engine/Horsepower: 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder/240-horsepower
Recommended Fuel: Regular
Standard Fuel Mileage: 24-city/31-hwy (base engine)
Other Trim Levels:
Premium
Premium Plus
Platinum
Premium Plus R-Design
Platinum R-Design
What’s New: While the XC60 design is basically a carryover, two new fuel-efficient 4-cylinders have been added to the option list. Added to the new engines, the crossover is now available with piano black sport seats, jewel-like knobs in the center stack and a frameless rear view mirror.
Pros: There is so much to like about this vehicle. It is not the typical station wagon-like crossover. The Volvo XC60 offers a cool futuristic design that is great for mom, dad and the kids, whether they are rolling solo, as a couple or with the kids.
The smooth-riding XC60 is available in a variety of trim packages and engine choices, too. Shoppers in the market can opt for a 4-cylinder turbo, which produces 240 horses, a 4-cylinder supercharged turbo, kicking out 302 horses, a 6-cylinder, which pumps out 240 horses or a 6-cylinder turbocharged engine, kicking out 300 horses.
We had an opportunity to get behind the wheel of the brand’s new 4-cylinder turbo, which was wrapped underneath the hood of the high end Platinum model. Although we are not sure of the long-term reliability of the engine, since it’s all-new, our initial impression is that Volvo has a winner on its hands.
In fact, our spunky 4-cylinder supported Volvo’s Platinum model, which consisted of a power operated tailgate with memory, a rear park assist camera, power retractable exterior mirrors, a cargo cover, a grocery bag holder, power operated rear headrests, a navigation system, and an auto dimming rear view mirror.
Our Volvo also was outfitted with the larger 20-inch wheels, an oversized power sliding roof and the extremely supportive orthopedic-approved sport seats, one of the best in the industry.
Furthermore, our XC60 was equipped with a technology package, which consisted of a radar-controlled cruise control system, a collision warning system with pre-braking, a pedestrian (and cyclist) detection with an auto braking system, a lane departure warning system and an auto high beam headlight system.
Lastly, our vehicle was also optioned out with heated front seated, a blind spot system, a lane changing warning system and an audible rear traffic cross alert system. Yes, this Volvo has almost every safety feature that is currently available in the market.
Cons: In this day in time where automakers are pushing for larger infotainment screens, the XC60 only offers a puny screen to view both navigation and infotainment system functions.
Moreover, Volvo engineers raved about their premium sound system, which they claim offer an improved bass system. Conversely, we were disappointed with the whiney
bass and strongly believe that the engineers need to rework the system. In our eyes, a premium vehicle requires a premium sound system.
The Verdict: We are big fans of the Volvo’s five passenger crossover, especially when equipped with the new 4-cylinder turbo and its fuel-efficient 8-speed transmission. With the XC60, the designers were able to find the right balance between a stylish futuristic design coupled with the appropriate packaging to make this luxurious utility vehicle appeal to both men and women alike, depending upon the trim selected.
As we noted earlier, the XC60 is now available with a choice of 4-cylinder engines, making this vehicle the first in the segment to even offer a 4-cylinder. And, in many instances, the 4-cylinder offers more horsepower than the 6-cylinders in the segment. Volvo is known for offering a safety. In fact, this Volvo offers almost every safety feature that is available from the automakers. Yes, this Volvo XC60 is close to being an automated driverless vehicle. So, in our opinion, if you’re in the market for a luxurious, but somewhat understated crossover, this is one we would consider placing on the shopping list.
Competition: 2014 Acura RDX, 2014 BMW X3, 2014 Cadillac SRX, Infiniti QX50, Land Rover, Lexus RX, 2015 Lincoln MKC, Range Rover Evoque and 2014 Mercedes Benz GLK
Jeff Fortson is an auto analyst and editor of a car-buying website for women and minorities. To learn more about his popular car-buying workshop and/or to price a new-vehicle, drive on over to JeffCars.com. Follow him @ Twitter/JeffCars.
