No fuss as Volvo's new XC60 takes relaxed route

Published on 31 May, 2017

Overview

Some cars slip under the wider public spotlight but build a large loyal user base nonetheless.

Without a shadow of doubt Volvo's XC60 is one of those. It started off quietly years ago.

But as much by word of mouth as anything else - possibly the odd favourable review - more and more people bought one.

Even when everyone knew this brand new model was coming, people kept right on buying the 'old' XC60, making it the best seller in its European segment. It is an extraordinary story.

So it will be interesting to see how people react to its successor, which I've just been driving,

The distributors here are taking orders now and some demo models will soon be on show at dealers. But it will be October before you can drive away in one. I suspect at that stage most people will leave it to January and get themselves into a 181-reg.

Initially, there will be three engines: the D4 2-litre diesel (190bhp), D5 (232hp) 2-litre diesel and the plug-in petrol hybrid T8 (407hp). All have 8spd auto transmission and All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) as standard.

Significantly, there will be a D3/D4 next May with 2WD (front-wheel-drive) that should mean more affordable entry-level models.

Prices will start from €53,950 for the D4 diesel AWD; the D5 costs from €59,950 and the petrol plug-in T8 from €65,140 (after SEAI grant and VRT rebate).

On the face of it that is a big, big step up on the outgoing one which costs from €39,995. However, there are a number of mitigating factors.

For a start the old price is pitched lower - as is usual for a car leaving the stage. There is a lot more standard equipment on the new one (leather, sat nav, 9in touch-screen, 18in alloys, heated front seats etc).

The 'old' price is for 2WD. The new price is for All-Wheel Drive. It's also for manual v 8spd auto. So in essence there probably isn't anything like the gap that may at first appear to be the case.

Still, around €54,000 is a fair chunk of money for a mid-size SUV. There is a 4.9pc PCP offer which starts at €520/month.

They expect around 500 of you to buy one next year. The already have substantial orders.

Air suspension is an added option (from €2,690 to €2,973 depending on trim).

As well as the usual trim levels (Momentum, R-Design, Inscription) there are three new 'packs': Blis - steering support; City Safety with Steer Support (steers you away from the hazard) and Oncoming Lane mitigation with Steer Support. Run-off Mitigation (also on the XC90), also features.

The main rivals for your money would be the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Land Rover Discovery Sport.

Predictably, safety is a major factor and as well as the three 'packs', there is a huge spread of technology to keep you from harm, hopefully.

It is all part of Volvo's vision that no one driving one of their new cars will be killed or seriously injured in an accident by 2020.

As you probably know, the 5-seat XC60 is based on the same SPA architecture as the large seven-seat XC90. It stretches a little longer (to 4.7m) and is a bit wider than the old one.

However, despite being lower, the cabin retains the feel of spaciousness. Helping that are the materials (cream leather in our case), dash design, colours and the use of thin, but hugely supportive, seating. They were a pleasure.

They have aluminium crumple zones in their innards designed to take the impact of severe off-road bumps, for example, rather than your poor spine.

And the rear-seat bases are tilted for more room. They decided passenger space was more important than huge boot room which, at 505 litres, veers towards below-average in its class. Tough call. Boot space is important for families too.

And I liked the driving position even if it's a bit lower than before.

I'm a big fan of the interior fit, finish and design but I wasn't nearly as enthusiastic about the external look.

Visually, it isn't a million miles from the current one in many respects but it is definitely more chunky and angular. It may grow on me. I'm not sure.

The cabin's main focus is the infotainment screen tablet and boy did I learn a lesson with that. You see, it looks much smaller than that in the XC90 and I had it noted as a big minus in my test notebook.

But Volvo officials insisted it is exactly the same size. How one's eyes play tricks. For all that, I'd have liked clearer graphics (red, green) on the sat nav element; I had to peer a bit sometimes to make out the pale blue route.

You might notice I am prioritising cabin, seats etc ahead of driving impressions. That's on purpose because, frankly, while the car needs to be, and was, decently accomplished on the road, really it's dynamics are designed for the comfortable rather than performance (T8 excepted). That is not only a good thing but realistic: this is for families not boy racers.

Driving the D5 (232bhp) was a relaxed affair. This diesel was impressively quiet; we made no great demands on its agility; it was enjoyable and was comfortable. It rode smoothly.

I felt the gearbox's response was only moderate even after selecting a sportier mode (Dynamic)

That was one of few complaints in a car that I think lived up to our expectations of being a comfortable family premium SUV.

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The old one has been such a favourite it is hard to see this being anything other than a continuation of the trend. It's a much more crowded market now but I think it has plenty going for it to keep it a family favourite.