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

For 2010, Volvo added the R-Design package to its XC60. It’s intended to give the crossover sportier driving dynamics and looks. This newest edition of the 2010 Volvo XC60 starts at $42,400.
A standard Volvo XC60 T6 starts at just over $39,000. This includes the top-of-the-line 281-hp turbocharged six-cylinder engine, leather interior, 18-inch wheels, numerous airbags (this is a Volvo), Bluetooth, and all-wheel-drive.
For a total of $3900 more, buyers can opt for the XC60 R-Design. It includes all of the XC60 T6 standard equipment, and adds a stiffer chassis with a revised suspension, unique 20-inch five-spoke wheels, color matched body trim, sports seats, and a unique “metallic-themed” interior. All of these changes are meant to give the XC60 a sportier, yet more refined driving experience.

Source: Distro Car

Airbag · Bluetooth · Four-wheel drive · Straight-six engine · Turbocharger · Volvo · Volvo XC60 T6 · VolvoXc60

When I began reading about some of the safety systems on the new XC60, I figured I was headed for the equivalent of a long Saturday night at the Dallas Public Library.

Have you heard of “City Safety”? It uses a camera to sense when you’re approaching objects too quickly and literally slams on the brakes at speeds up to 9 mph, supposedly preventing you from doing the rumba with someone’s back bumper.

And this is definitely not a polite “put-down-your-latte-Buffy- we-need-to-stop” sort of deal. We’re talking locked brakes quivering in full ABS with people hanging from their seat belts here — an enormously amusing prospect for cellphone drunks. I got subjected to two tests of the system, and it seemed to really — ugh — work.

But the weird thing is that so does most everything else on the XC60, which is easily Volvo’s most stylish vehicle and one of its better-performing cars or crossovers.

Just to help you keep track of the landscape at Volvo, the XC60 is the newest of the automaker’s three crossovers.

At 4,174 pounds, it slots in between the 3,900-pound XC70 — a butched-up station wagon that calls itself a crossover — and the 4,700-pound XC90, Volvo’s most prominent crossover.

My metallic bronze, all-wheel-drive XC60 was loaded — as reflected in its lofty $44,240 sticker price. Equipped with a 281-horsepower, turbocharged, 3-liter six-cylinder and six-speed automatic, this beefy Volvo can sprint to 60 in 6.8 seconds, according to Motor Trend.

Style has never been one of sober, dowdy Volvo’s strengths, but the XC60 is a veritable hipster in a beret — not radically new or youthful, mind you, but certainly interesting.

Read the full story on Dallas Morning News

Add new tag · Automobile · Four-wheel drive · Makes and Models · Motor Trend · Station wagon · Volvo · Volvo XC60 · Volvo XC90

The diesel Volvo XC60 in australia proves that using higher grade fuel makes for better power, fuel economy and no smoke

The Volvo XC60 D5 is powered by the very same engine that powers the Volvo XC90 back here in Malaysia, the difference being the fuel quality.

In Australia, the standard for diesel fuel is Euro 4, which Australians would say is “heaps” better than what we have here. The benefit is better power, better fuel economy, and most wonderful of all, no smoke.

The 2.5-litre common rail diesel turbo engine produces 185 horsepower and 400Nm of torque, giving the XC60 plenty of get-up-and-go. It is a great vehicle to drive, being AWD (all-wheel drive), and its safety features make it the safest Volvo ever built.

Standard features include City Safety, a system that uses cameras mounted high up on the windscreen to monitor the distance between it and the vehicle in front in crawling traffic, applying the brakes automatically to prevent or mitigate a collision if the driver is not paying attention; cruise control; traction control; ABS; and enough airbags to cushion you should you have an impact.

One of its most useful features is the user-friendly Garmin GPS system.

I have no complaints about the XC60 whatsoever, but driving it there brings some thoughts about the diesel situation back here in Malaysia.

The first thing you will notice when driving in Australian cities, or even as a pedestrian in the streets and sidewalks, is the absence of petrol or diesel fumes when the traffic passes by. This is because Australia’s strict anti-pollution laws ensure that manufacturers equip their cars with engines that comply with the standards, and enforcement is non-negotiable.

Obviously, there is merit in such a system as it makes everybody’s life better on account of cleaner air. Thus, you will live longer, and be relatively free of lung and breathing-related illnesses.

With fuel prices at around AUD1.30 (approximately RM3.90) per litre, it is expensive to drive there. Yes, you can say that we should look at it based on a ringgit-versus-Australian dollar, but Australians are telling me it is expensive too.

Diesel prices are about the same or a few cents higher, but it delivers more energy per pound of fuel, thus, it makes sense for people to purchase diesel-engined cars.

In the case of SUVs like the Volvo XC60, which weighs in at about two tons, it makes perfect sense to go diesel.

Well, our tank of diesel lasted for eight days of driving between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, including some adventure into the hills to attend a relative’s wedding ceremony.

We covered a total of 610km on the XC60’s tank, and the refill came to 63 litres of diesel. That works out to 9.6km per litre. A petrol-engined vehicle of the same size and weight would have consumed at least 20% more fuel, if not more.

Read the full story on The Sun Daily

Australia · Common rail · Diesel engine · Four-wheel drive · Sport utility vehicle · Turbocharger · Volvo XC60 · Volvo XC90

The condition of the economy is not so good right now and everyone is looking for green solutions , low fuel consumption, hybrid cars etc. It seems Volvo doesn’t think that matters much, and have launched their new XC60 SUV. With the 5-seater, two-row SUV , Volvo is poised to increase its presence in the prestige and luxury sectors in 2010.

The XC60 demonstrates a new design approach from Volvo, going for truly organically inspired and futuristic curves. It’s outstanding on-road dynamics, Volvo’s City Safety system, and all-wheel-drive makes it a formidable contender to all its competitors. At the core is a D5 3.2 litre, six-cylinder powerhouse, which represents the pinnacle of current diesel technology with great performance, low fuel consumption and Euro 5 level emissions. The normally aspirated version puts out 175kW and 320 Nm of torque while the turbocharged version puts out 151kW and a beefy 420Nm of torque. There is also a version of the XC60 available with a 3.0 litre T6 engine putting out 210kW and 400Nm of torque.

Navigation is made easy with the Volvo Navigation System with user-friendly controls and an easy-to-read screen with a black background. Its 8.3 inches shorter than the XC70 at 182.2 inches and has an impressive 9.1 inches of ground clearance, which makes it awesome for those cross-country jaunts. The arsenal of features and sheer good looks puts it ahead of most of the competition such as the Toyota FJ Cruiser and the Ford Expedition. The SUV is priced at $32,995 for the 3.2 litre version and $37,800 for the T6 AWD version.

Source: Device Mag

Ford Expedition · Four-wheel drive · Hybrid vehicle · Makes and Models · Naturally-aspirated engine · Sport utility vehicle · Toyota FJ Cruiser · Volvo V70

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

Here is a new review of the Volvo XC60 from Kustomatic:
This oeuvre-on-wheels may be sharing a niche currently dominated by impressive entries from big guns like BMW (BMW X3), Land Rover (Land Rover LR2), Acura (Acura RDX), and Infiniti (EX35), but, being a flagship product of the Swedish company’s thrust to enhance the design DNA of its cars and being billed as the “safest Volvo ever,” it can surely outshine its earlier counterparts.
According to Volvo, the car is packed with “more emotive form and more energy” compared to all the other cars it has manufactured through the years. Volvo Cars Design Director Steve Mattin further claimed that “if you say that you’d recognize a Volvo from a hundred meters away today, I dare say the XC60 radiates a clear Volvo presence from at least twice that distance.”
But there is something more interesting than the luster—the XC60 is available in metallic finishes: electric silver, black sapphire, barents blue, maple red, to name some—catching the eyes of people from this “double-distance” Mattin is talking about. The XC60 is offered with drivers having a say on what engine will run their XC60s: it can either be the turbocharged T6, which produces 285 horsepower, or two variants of the D5 turbodiesel—for Europe—yielding 185 and 163 horsepower respectively. All Wheel Drive (AWD) is fitted as standard.
The XC60 also features a revolutionary braking technology called “City Safety,” which enables the car to automatically brake whenever the car is about to drive into something—a wall, another car—and the driver is not able to respond. This is done via built-in cameras and sensors that can detect imminent impacts.
“We are the first manufacturer in the world to offer this type of feature as standard. City Safety clearly advertises that the new XC60 is the safest car Volvo has ever produced,” Volvo CEO Fredrik Arp said. “The car is packed with our accumulated safety know-how and technology, both when it comes to preventing accidents and protecting all the occupants in a collision.”
Aside from these special attributes, the XC60 does not leave out other staples of a dream comfort car. It has standard Bluetooth connectivity, HD Radio, Sirius Satellite Radio, USB and auxiliary inputs for audio players, power front seats, roof rails, and even a large moonroof.

Acura RDX · BMW X3 · Four-wheel drive · HD Radio · Infiniti · Land Rover · Sirius Satellite Radio · Volvo XC60

Likes:
Attractive styling
Well-trimmed interior
Good handling and acceleration

Dislikes:
Poor fuel economy
Lots of techno buttons

The 2010 Volvo XC60 is the Swedish car company’s first foray into the compact crossover segment—the same niche that includes the BMW X3, Land Rover LR2, Acura RDX, and Infiniti EX35. Happily, the Volvo entry is one of the handsomest of the bunch, comes standard with all-wheel drive and surprising off-road specs, and adds to the brand’s reputation for safety with a new twist.

With the $38,025 XC60, Volvo allows its designers freer rein. The XC60 is a handsome machine—particularly from the side, where it reminds other drivers of a four-fifths-scale Buick Enclave, and from the rear, where the taillights flow into its shoulders like the deltoids of a muscular athlete. The large “ironmark” badge and big grille complete the pro-sports analogy and may be a little big for some tastes. Inside, it’s even more appealing: The Volvo trick of making a thin-panel console leaves storage behind its wood-paneled center stack, metallic trim outlines big geometric shapes, and all sorts of pleasing colors and textures fill out the cabin.

The Bottom Line:
The 2010 Volvo XC60 brings unexpected style and a heavy dose of safety technology to families with all-weather needs.

Read the full review at : The Car Connection

Acura RDX · BMW X3 · Buick Enclave · Four-wheel drive · Land Rover Freelander · Makes and Models · Volvo · Volvo XC60

Volvo launched an all-new entry-level crossover for 2009 called the XC60. The Swedish automaker describes the car as the “safest Volvo ever,” which says a lot coming from a company that built is reputation on just that.

(Click here to use Leftlane’s Price Quote Form to get Volvo XC60 pricing information from a trusted local dealer. Zero obligation)

The model is a direct answer to Acura’s RDX, BMW’s X3 and Infiniti’s EX 35. It is based very closely on the popular XC60 concept vehicle.

“This car is charged with more emotive form and more energy than any other Volvo. We’re elevating our design DNA to an entirely new level by literally turning up the visual volume.,” said Volvo Cars Design Director Steve Mattin. “If you say that you’d recognise a Volvo from a hundred metres away today, I dare say the XC60 radiates a clear Volvo presence from at least twice that distance.”

As a reminder Ford’s now-defunct Premier Automotive Group strategy, the XC60 is expected to share the platform with the Land Rover LR2.

The new XC60 is being launched with a choice of three engines: the turbocharged T6 which produces 285 horsepower, and two variants of the D5 turbodiesel — for Europe — producing 185 and 163 horsepower respectively. All Wheel Drive (AWD) is fitted as standard.

The big news when it comes to safety is “City Safety” — a unique feature to prevent low-speed impacts that are common in stop-and-go commuting. If the car is about to drive into the vehicle in front and the driver does not react, the car brakes itself.

“We are the first manufacturer in the world to offer this type of feature as standard. City Safety clearly advertises that the new XC60 is the safest car Volvo has ever produced. The car is packed with our accumulated safety know-how and technology, both when it comes to preventing accidents and protecting all the occupants in a collision,” says Volvo CEO Fredrik Arp.

The XC60 has its sights set on the same design-conscious target group that the C30 caters to. “One might say that this could be the C30 owner’s next car. It’s as sporty and exciting, but way more capable. With the XC60, we’re widening our model range to attract even more customers with an active urban lifestyle,” explains Arp.

The sales target for the new XC60 is over 50,000 cars per year. The five largest markets during peak year 2010 will be the USA, Germany, Great Britain, Russia and China. Equal volumes are expected between Europe and North America. The XC60 will be built at the Volvo Cars factory in Ghent, Belgium.

[Source: Left Lane News]

Acura RDX · BMW · Four-wheel drive · Great Britain · Infiniti · Premier Automotive Group · United States · Volvo XC60