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