2010 Volvo XC60 Review

PROS  Fun to drive crossover, Loads of safety features, Nicely finished interior

CONS  Cramped rear seat, Complicated control layout, Mediocre fuel economy

Swedish automaker Volvo has long been known for building safe and reliable cars, but that image is starting to change. It is changing because it has to. Today, every automaker is focused on safety and building a safe vehicle isn't enough to maintain a brand. Volvo also truly believes that building a safe vehicle doesn't mean that style and performance must suffer.

Enter vehicles like the C30 sporty coupe and the XC60 compact crossover. They certainly don't look like any previous Volvo yet still pack plenty of innovative safety features into their fresh design. With these two vehicles, Volvo is shouting to the industry that safety doesn't need to be dull.

The XC60 is Volvo's first crossover SUV, meaning it's a four-door wagon with conventional tailgate that blurs the line between SUV and station wagon. XC60 shares chassis and engine with Volvo's slightly larger XC70 wagon. It seats five on twin front buckets and a three-place rear bench seat.

Riding a 109-inch wheelbase and 182 inches long, the XC60 is positioned between compact and midsize SUVs. With a starting price of $37,200, its competitors to the XC60 include the Acura MDX, Audi Q5, Cadillac SRX, Lexus RX, and Mercedes-Benz GLK.

The XC60 comes in a single T6 trim level. All-wheel drive without a low range and a turbocharged 281-hosepower 3.0-liter V6 are standard. Sole transmission is a six-speed automatic with a separate shift gate for manual operation. Maximum towing capacity is 3300 pounds.

Standard safety features include antilock four-wheel disc brakes with brake assist, stability control, hill-descent control, front-seat active head restraints, tire-pressure monitor, daytime running lights, and dual-front, front-side, and curtain-side airbags. Also standard is Volvo's new "City Safety" radar-controlled braking system, which automatically activates the brakes at low speeds in an attempt to avoid or reduce the severity of a frontal collision. Optional safety features include a rear-view camera, lane-departure warning, collision warning, front- and rear-obstacle-detection system, and blind-spot alert.

Other standard equipment includes dual zone automatic climate control, tilt-telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, cruise control, leather upholstery, eight-way power front bucket seats with lumbar adjustment, driver-seat memory, center console, split-folding rear seat, aluminum interior trim, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, sunroof, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with iPod adapter, satellite radio, Bluetooth cell-phone link, outside-temperature indicator, automatic day-night rearview mirror, rear defogger, rear wiper-washer, floormats, theft-deterrent system, front and rear fog lights, roof rails, 235/60R18 tires, and alloy wheels.

Options include navigation system with real-time traffic information, adaptive cruise control, power liftgate, integrated child seats, steering-linked adaptive HID headlights, and remote engine start. The XC60 has a destination charge of $825 and is assembled in Belgium.

Get Up and Go   The XC60s turbocharged V6 provides a reassuring shove in the back when drivers stomp on the gas pedal. Volvo claims a 0 to 60 mph time for the XC60 of 7.1 seconds, which is quick for the class. The engine provides good passing power as well. About the only drawback is somewhat lethargic response to throttle input. This typically European-car phenomenon makes linear acceleration difficult, resulting in either not enough or too much acceleration in stop-and-go traffic.

The transmission shifts smoothly and provides crisp and timely downshifts when more power is called for in passing situations. Likewise, the standard all-wheel-drive works as it should to deliver power to the wheels with the most traction. It should be noted that the XC60 has 9.1 inches of ground clearance, more than most in the class. Still, the AWD system doesn't have a low range, so serious off-road driving is out of the question.

EPA estimates for the V6/automatic combo in the XC60 are 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway, slightly lower than the class-leading Audi Q5's rating of 18/23 mpg. Thankfully, Volvo has tuned to turbocharged engine to run fun on regular-grade gasoline.

Routine stop-and-go urban commuting is likely to average about 17 mpg. If your commute includes lots of open-road expressway travel you might be able to nudge that number up to 21 mpg.

On the Road  The XC60 strikes an impressive balance between American comfort and European firm. Large bumps are easily absorbed by the compliant suspension. At the same time, excess body motions are nicely quelled to the point where you feel like you're in a sedan, not a crossover.

The XC60 isn't a true SUV, so it thankfully drives a lot more like a sedan than a lumbering truck. There is some body lean in quick maneuvers, but, on the whole, the XC60 feels a lot more athletic that you might expect. The tires have plenty of grip--wet or dry--and the brakes have ample stopping power with an easy-to-modulate pedal. XC60's steering is delightfully direct and natural, a refreshing change for this European automaker.

SC60's cabin is relatively quiet with good isolation from wind rush at highway speed. The performance-orientated tires howl a bit at highway speeds, especially on grooved concrete surfaces, and the engine is a bit coarse at full throttle.

Occupants will be thankful the XC60 is a technological tour de force when is comes to safety. In addition to powerful antilock brakes and six airbags, it comes standard with City Safety. This system will automatically stop the vehicle if it detects a front-end collision is imminent and the vehicle is traveling less than ten mph. If you are moving more quickly, it will apply the brakes, but might not be able to bring the vehicle to a complete stop.

Optionally, buyers can choose blind-spot detection, lane-departure warning, and a collision alert system, which will flash a light and sound an alarm if a driver is closing on a slowing or stopped vehicle too quickly.

Behind the Wheel  The XC60's cabin has a modern and upscale design. Soft-touch surfaces abound and the available wood trim is quite natural looking. Especially nice is the fabric headliner. All in all, the ambiance seems more than fitting for the price and class.

Sadly, the interior isn't as user-friendly as it could be. Drivers face large and easy-to-read gauges, but the climate and audio controls are too small and tightly grouped in the center console. In addition, there are two separate information screens and knowing which one to look at forces a long glance from the road. The worst feature might be navigation-system controls that are inconveniently placed behind the steering wheel on a stalk.

Front-seat passengers are treated to extremely comfortable and supportive seats. Leg room is great, but those over 6-foot-2 will likely want a bit more head room. Entry-exit is a snap as the ride height is only slightly taller than a typical sedan. Outward visibility is impeded to the rear and sides by thick roof pillars and large headrests. Thankfully, Volvo offers rear-view camera and blind-spot detection.

The rear seats are nicely padded and finished. However, leg and knee room are in short supply--even if the front seats are moved well forward. Kids should be OK but adults will surely complain after just a few minutes. It would be nice if Volvo could make the rear seat cushion slide for-and-aft to increase knee room when necessary.

Seat-up cargo capacity is quite good for a smaller crossover. There's more than enough room for a week's worth of groceries. Folding the rear seats creates a flat load floor and abundant storage. Passengers will find that there's not a lot of small-item storage. The center console has two covered bins, but one houses cup holders. Front-door map pockets deep but not very long. There's a useful open bin behind the center stack that's great for a small handbag.

Bottom Line  Crossovers are all the rage, and for good reason. They are nimble as traditional sedans, extremely versatile, don't carry the eco-bashing stigma of a traditional SUV, and some of them are a hoot to drive. The XC60 falls into that category. It's as much fun to drive as a European sports sedan on twisting two-lane roads.

Being fun to drive is important in this class, but not as important as being safe. Adding City Stop to Volvo's already long list of safety innovations, the XC60 is perhaps one of the safest vehicles on the road. At the same time, Volvo's new crossover strikes a great balance between performance and comfort and comes with all of the bells and whistles you'd expect at this price.

Downsides include the cramped rear seats and odd control layout. Still, the XC60 is priced competitively, and that's important as more and more automakers join the crossover fray. If you are in market for this type of vehicle and don't give the new XC60 a test drive, you are missing out.