On paper the XC60 looks like just what the yuppie doctor ordered. The XC60 boasts a Grand Cherokee and LR2 besting 9.1 inches of ground clearance, the same AWD system as the LR2 (which it should be noted was originally borrowed from Volvo’s S80 to begin with), sexy curves and some rugged looking plastic on the front and rear overhang. At 4174lbs, the XC60 is no lightweight but does somehow manage to be slimmer than both the LR2 and the Grand Cherokee.

Inside the XC60 is modern Volvo all the way. The only low point in this otherwise well designed cabin is the Nav system. Volvo used to be known for their trick pop-up nav system, and the coolness factor of the pop-up was a welcome distraction from the basic design of the system. Instead of this arrangement used in all other Volvo models, the Swedish design team crafted an Audi like pod for the nav screen in the center console and moved the screen for the radio up to a strange binnacle on the dash. There are two problems with this: First, the radio controls are way too far from the radio’s screen, and secondly the nav screen looks ill fitted and far too small for the hole they gave it in the dash. Adding insult to injury is the fact that should you not opt for the $1,800 nav system you get a bizarre cubby where the screen should go that tells all your passengers you were too cheap to splurge for the nav. I have been told to expect the new 2011 S60’s totally revamped Nav and audio package in the 2011 XC60, let’s hope so; it can’t get here fast enough.

Unlike a “true” SUV, the Haldex system operates using a locked center differential (to be honest there is no center diff at all, the transmission has the front and rear power outputs permanently locked), between the rear diff and the transmission lays a Haldex clutch pack that infinitely varies the connection between the transmission and the rear wheels. Power transfer takes less than 1/7th of a tyre rotation should a slip be detected, and the system can vary the clutch pack on its own whenever it feels like it. The system operates as advertised and strikingly well on sand, several inches of mud, steep ruts, a few inches of snow and moderate off-roading. As with many crossover AWD systems, when the going gets icy, the lack of a locking center differential becomes readily apparent. When climbing a steep driveway with an inch of slippery ice coating it, the XC60 spent much of its time spinning the front wheels, it was only when the traction control was disabled that the car shifted power to the rear and made it up the drive. That being said, I clocked over 26 hours on unpaved backcountry roads in the XC60 and didn’t get stuck. There were ditches we had to stop and fill in with logs to traverse, trees that had to be moved out of the way, and jaw-dropped looks from ATV and jacked up Wrangler owners we passed along the way.

The XC60 proves that Volvo can make a dirt road-capable CUV with styling flair and enough electronic nannies to satisfy the risk-adverse in the crowd (not to mention your insurance broker). The real question is if buyers will actually cross-shop the XC60 with its German competition. Stacked up to the Q5, X3 and GLK, the Volvo shines with more power, excellent cargo capacity, unique styling and a suitably upscale interior. Starting at $33,000 for the FWD 235HP, model, our Volvo provided tester hit the nosebleed section at a whopping $47,395. Admittedly this can seem like a bargain when you look at the Q5’s starting price of $37,350 and a similarly equipped price of $51,625, the question is: Can Volvo get you to buy one?

Read the full review on The Truth About Cars

Auto, Four-wheel drive, Haldex, Makes and Models, Sport utility vehicle, Volvo, Volvo S80, VolvoXc60

Volvo’s new XC60 is the latest addition to the increasingly popular crossover market segment. And Volvo Car Ireland tells us that it is better value than ever.

With an entry level price of €44,267 ex-works, the DRIVe XC60 S 2.4D manual variant boasts CO2 emissions of 159g/km. And it slots in to Band D tax, which adds up to an appealing package. It also offers best-in-class fuel consumption.

The XC60 is a really nice car. And thankfully Volvo has retained the sporty driving properties that are a central part of this car’s attraction. More horsepower, higher torque and a sporty chassis setting all help give this version the right XC60 dynamics.

In addition to front-wheel drive, a number of minor improvements all help deliver the new model’s competitive fuel consumption and CO2 figures.

The gear ratios have been optimised so the car can be driven economically. For instance, when driving at 100km/h in top gear, engine revs and thus also fuel consumption are lower with the new powertrain. But the beauty of it is, you get all these improvements without compromising on driving pleasure.

The XC60 is not all about economy and ‘eco’ pluses. For instance, it achieved five stars in recent Euro NCAP crash tests, while in the appeal stakes it looks fantastic.

To demonstrate the wide appeal that this car has, the XC60 took first prize in the “Family Car of the Year” category in the first-ever Women’s World Car of the Year competition.

Read the full review on Advertiser

Auto, Makes and Models, Parts and Accessories, Recreation, Shopping, Vehicles, Volvo, VolvoXc60

For the first time, Euro NCAP can now release its top five safest cars of 2009, based on their maximum five star award and their overall score. Top of this list is the Volkswagen Golf VI that was first tested in 2008 under the former rating scheme and was re-released in 2009.

The Honda Insight Hybrid and Toyota Prius, two fuel-efficient vehicles tested in 2009, were second and third respectively in Euro NCAP’s list of safest, crash-tested cars. In fourth place is the Hyundai i20. There are three joint winners for fifth place – the Toyota Avensis, Volvo XC60 and the Opel/Vauxhall Astra. Euro NCAP’s poorest results of the year were achieved by the Suzuki Alto and the Toyota Urban Cruiser, which both received three stars.

1. VW Golf VI
2. Honda Insight
3. Toyota Prius
4. Hyundai i20
5. Toyota Avensis
6. Volvo XC60
7. Opel/Vauxhall Astra

Read the full story on Fleet Directory

Add new tag, Auto, Honda Insight, Suzuki Alto, Toyota, Toyota Avensis, Toyota Prius, Toyota Urban Cruiser, Volkswagen Golf

The 2010 International Car of the Year Awards were given to the Ford Taurus for the car and the Volvo XC60 for the truck.

The announcement was made Wednesday at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The award had been given at the auto show in Detroit for the past 13 years.

Automotive journalists and editors chose the winners.

Auto, Automobile, Detroit, FordTaurus, LA Auto Show, Recreation, United States, Volvo XC60

Japan, Germany and Sweden battle for honours with, respectively, the Lexus RX350, Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60 D5.

Lording it up on road rather than roughing it off road is the name of the game in this category for high-riding luxury vehicles.

This renamed segment (from 4WD to SUV) accounts for the boom in two-wheel-drive-only vehicles that look like – rather than drive like – 4WDs, though the Lexus RX350 Sports Luxury, Audi Q5 TFSI and Volvo XC60 D5 all come with four-wheel-drive systems.

No such elongated process for the Volvo XC60, which was universally acclaimed for its family-friendly cabin. Although missing levers in the boot (like the Q5) to automatically fold down the rear seats, they require just one pull on a lever to drop to create a completely flat cargo area.

There’s also a standard electric tailgate, which opens to reveal wide access to the rear.

With a spacious and pampering cabin helping to nail the ‘Comfort and practicality’ criterion, it was perhaps not surprising the Volvo would get the highest marks for ‘Safety’.

The XC60 is the first vehicle to come standard with low-speed crash avoidance technology Volvo calls City Safety, and judges agreed it was a worthwhile feature that had the potential to save the average owner a few thousand dollars.

The back seat’s integrated pop-up child booster seats were regarded as a simple yet brilliant idea, while the XC60 offers a multitude of optional safety features such as lane departure warning.

Judges also praised the interior’s distinctive design with its touches of Scandinavian flair.

Recent updates to the D5 model’s suspension and diesel engine have also improved the XC60’s overall package.

The ride is more agreeable, the handling competent, and the turbo diesel is stronger and more fuel efficient than before. The latter isn’t class-leading in terms of refinement, though acceleration is accompanied by a relatively pleasant throb from the five-cylinder unit.

And these were all crucial to the Volvo XC60 D5 riding just slightly higher than its rival contenders to secure a majority verdict from the court of Car of the Year.

Read the full story at SMH

Audi Q5, Auto, Four-wheel drive, Germany, Lexus RX, Sport utility vehicle, Sweden, Volvo XC60

In a well-remembered advertising campaign, Volvos were marketed as the sensible Swede.” Maybe the company should resurrect that slogan, because what’s more sensible than trying to build the world’s safest automobiles?

Keeping occupants from harm has become a religion at Volvo’s Gothenburg works, so that’s where the company directs its energies. And a lot of Volvo R&D is designed to make a vehicle that’s smarter than its driver — in some situations.

For instance, Volvo studies have found that in 50% of all collisions below 30 km/h, the driver takes no action to avoid impact. Enter the 2010 XC60 crossover, the first to get Volvo’s new City Safety low-speed-collision avoidance/mitigation system as standard equipment.

At speeds under 30 km/h, City Safety uses a laser sensor to calculate the closing rate between the XC60 and the vehicle in front. If a collision is imminent and the driver takes no action, 50% of braking power automatically is applied. Volvo saysthe

system can eliminate collisions entirely at speeds under15

km/h and lessen the severity up to 30 km/h.

City Safety sees” only large reflective surfaces and does not react to pedestrians or bicycles. Wisely, Volvo engineers have located the sensor behind the windscreen, where grunge can be cleaned away by the wipers, making the system operable in all kinds of weather.

It’s a bit of a leap of faith to put your fate in the hands of some lasers and computers. But as I find in repeated demos with an XC60 AWD, the system slows you to the point where you can safely bring the vehicle to a full stop.

Our test car also has the blind spot information system (BLIS), which is part of the AWD package. With this, an orange light glows on either outside mirror if a vehicle is approaching from the rear, and might go unnoticed. This, too, really works.

All XC60s come standard with four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assist (EBA) plus six airbags, Volvo’s side impact protection system (SIPS) and whiplash protection system (WHIPS).

Read the full review at standard-freeholder

ABS, Airbag, Anti-lock braking system, Auto, Automobile, Brake Assist, Electronic brakeforce distribution, Gothenburg, Makes and Models, Recreation, Side Impact Protection System, Volvo, Volvo Cars, Volvo XC60