2018 Volvo XC60
2018 Volvo XC60: Sweden’s Best-Seller Gets A Proper Updo
Filmed in Barcelona, Spain
The creative spirit of Spain’s Catalunya — the land of Picasso, Gaudí, and Salvador Dalí — is on a roll. We tried not to get caught up in the festivity of Barcelona, enjoying the vibrant street scenes, tasty tapas, and pedestrian-friendly Gothic Quarter. Then we’ll take a scenic side trip to mountain roads, and finish with some What the Heck is Paul eating in Spain.
Volvos have always been for people looking for a safe, environmentally friendly and innovative vehicles. New vehicles coming soon include electrification and autonomous cars powered be twin engines and batteries.
Volvo is owned by Chinese automaker Geely, they created all new products including the XC90 (see our review), S90 and now XC60. They are building a new plant near Charleston, South Carolina in 2018.
Now to the test vehicle… The T6 AWD with air suspension
The XC60 crossover has been Volvo’s top-selling vehicle in the U.S., and now, finally, the old Ford-partnership-era platform is gone, which means this all-new XC60 is built on Volvo’s new Scalable Product Architecture platform—the same one as the bigger XC90. It’s smaller and lighter than the XC90 and while it’s a bit wider and longer than the old XC60, it doesn’t weigh any more, and makes much better use of interior volume.
The interior has the airy, crisp, blond-wood feel of the best pages of an Ikea catalog, the drift wood interior panels are beautiful and unique. The quality of the car feels tastefully luxurious and premium, you sit in the car, not on it.
We were impressed with the great use of space. Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system, entertainment apps, 9″ Sensus Navigation, Apple Car Play and Android Auto standard, Volvo On Call – Standard 4 year subscription, remote start and send address to car. Additionally, 4-zone climate control, Keyless entry and Handsfree tailgate.
Leather interior with optional upgraded R-Design or Momentum package plus new color choices (pine green and fusion blue). Optional packages including luxury seating and advanced safety including Head Up Display, 360 camera and more. Ajit suspension and 21″ or 22″ options too.
Engine options:
T5 AWD – 250hp. 0-60mph: 6.4 sec.; 19″ wheels
T6 AWD – 295hp. 0-60mph: 5.6 sec.; 20″ wheels
T8 eAWD. – 400hp combined. 0-60mph 4.9 sec.; 20″ wheels
All with 8-speed transmission
City Safety with steering support (31-62 MPH) helps keep you in the lane and protects others from accidents from vehicles, animals, cyclists. Large animals and pedestrians too. All the standard Volvo Safety you’d expect pus Blind Spot Information with Steer Assist (works at all speeds), Run-Off Road Mitigation (keeps you on the road), Pilot Assist (semi-autonomous drive (up to 80 MPH) and does not track vehicles in front but rest for traffic jam situations, Oncoming Lane Mitigation (37-87 MPH), Collision Avoidance up to 37 MPH. Most advanced standard safety systems available.
The new suspension or the “dynamism” of the vehicle, is how they call it a “driver’s car,” and how it has “inspired confidence.”
The handling and roadholding are as expected, European handling and good performance, it is a utility vehicle and not a race car. There is another improvement in ride and handling with a high level of personalization adjustability. You can adjust to comfort, dynamic or off road settings on the center console.
We drove the XC60 around Barcelona, on highways, curvy back and mountain roads. and even a couple of rugged unpaved rocky almost-roads of the type that nobody who buys these will ever be caught dead on. Overall it is a very comfortable CUV to drive.
Price:
Momentum R-Design Inscription
T5 AWD $41,500 $44,800 $45,300
T6 AWD $44,900 $48,200 $48,700
T8 eAWD $52,900 $56,200 $56,700
Competes
Audi Q5 2L T Quattro Premium
Mercedes GLC 300
BMW X3
To name a few
Cars available in dealers in August.
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Car Courtesy of Volvo
Destination: Barcelona, Spain
Aired: June 28, 2017
Music: by AudionautiX.com, all rights & licenses purchased
Disclosure: Free Royalty Music
His Turn-Her Turn™ is a production of Automotive Aspects Inc.
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