2010 Volvo XC60

Likeable SUV improves driveability, 4WD tech, cargo space and styling to best some rivals

Some cars you just like right away: You get in, drive off, and think, "Hmm-mm -- this is nice.'' The Volvo XC60 is one of those.

Not what one would have necessarily expected either, because the so-called "crossover" class it belongs to really just means "SUV with a small conscience." In other words, not something one might be predisposed to like.

The styling represents a slight departure for Volvo, borrowing as it does a broader trapezoidal grille and larger Volvo "male" symbol from the concept vehicle of the same name shown at Detroit in 2007.

Handsome though, and curvaceous by the standards of its class and, notably, by Volvo's own image.

The big organic vertical taillights, rapidly becoming a Volvo design icon, look great here, too.

Structurally, the XC60 (on sale now starting at $45,495) is based on Ford of Europe's C/D (i.e., "large" by its standards) platform, which also underpins such cars as the big Volvo S80 sedan and V70 and XC70 wagons, Ford's European S-Max, and the Land Rover Freelander.

The only engine we get is a twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six wedged in sideways, driving all four wheels through a six-speed automatic with a manual override option.

Volvo's well-known Haldex system is nominally biased toward front-wheel drive, but allocates up to half the torque rearward upon demand.

Hill Descent Control, originally a Land Rover invention, enables the vehicle to crawl down steep slippery slopes with minimal driver intervention. I can't see typical Volvo owners ever getting themselves into dire situations like this, but better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

As you would expect from Volvo, safety is a key word. In fact, Volvo claims the XC60 may be the safest car in the world at the moment. Its new “City Safety” system (standard in Canada) is a market exclusive. City Safety is a crash avoidance/mitigation system that works to help avoid rear-enders at low speeds, primarily in city traffic. According to Volvo, 75 per cent of all collisions take place at speeds under 30 km/h, and in half of these cases, the driver did not brake at all before the collision, mainly due to being distracted. City Safety is designed to take over when the driver fails to brake in time.

Laser sensors at the top of the windshield judge the distance to the car in front, and if the driver of the XC60 fails to brake, the XC60 will do it autonomously. At speeds up to 15 km/h, the XC60 will brake and stop automatically before hitting the car in front. At speeds up to 30 km/h, the XC60 will automatically brake to reduce the collision severity. City Safety reacts to vehicles in front that are either stopped or moving in the same direction as the XC60.

To demonstrate this, Volvo set up a driving demo where inflatable cars took the place of real-life “crash-ees”. At speeds under 15 km/h, the XC60 stops suddenly in front of the car in front at the last second, flinging the driver and passengers forwards onto their seatbelts, but avoiding a potentially harmful and costly rear-end collision in real life. It’s important to note that City Safety doesn’t take away the driver’s control until the crash is almost unavoidable - drivers would still have time to avoid a crash if they were paying attention.

The sensor area on the windshield is cleaned by the windshield wipers, but it’s unclear how effective it would be if there was a build-up of snow, ice or dirt over the sensor, and how well the car would brake in the snow. I can say it works well in sunny California.

Also new on the 2010 Volvo XC60 is enhanced dynamic stability and traction control (DSTC) that now registers the car’s roll rate as well as its direction to detect slowly built-up skids. As well, new Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) offers improved stability when towing a trailer (max. 3300 lbs).

Other Volvo safety features standard or optional on the new XC60 include Collision Warning with Brake Support, a high speed version of City Safety that warns of potential collisions and brakes automatically; Roll Stability Control, a stability-enhancement system that monitors the vehicle’s yaw rate; Fading Brake Support that boosts hydraulic pressure when it varies; four disc brakes with four-channel anti-lock and Brake Assist for emergency braking; Lane Departure Warning that offers audible warnings when the car strays across the line;

Blind Spot Information System which provides visual and audible warnings of cars travelling in the XC60’s blind spots; Distance Alert that shows a warning display in the windshield when a pre-determined following distance is reached; and Driver Alert, a system that warns the driver if they’re getting drowsy behind the wheel.

On top of all this, the XC60 includes an AWD system that automatically distributes engine power between the front and rear wheels; Instant Traction which shifts power from the front to the rear wheels when starting from a standstill on slippery surfaces; Hill Descent Control which uses the vehicle’s braking system and engine torque to slow it down on steep hills up to a maximum speed of 10 km/h; Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept (Four-C) (late availability) that allows the driver to select one of three suspension settings: Comfort, Sport or Advanced; adjustable steering effort with three settings: Low, Medium or High; Active Bending Headlights that turn with the steering wheel; and front and rear audible parking assist beepers.

Inside the XC60’s cabin are multi-stage front airbags, dual-chamber side airbags with Volvo’s unique side impact protection, side curtain airbags, front head restraints with Whiplash Protection System, seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters, and available integrated booster seats for children.

The XC60's cargo area is not only capacious at 1,908 litres with the rear seats folded (considerably larger than the Acura RDX at 1,716 L and Mercedes-Benx GLK at 1,549 L), but the low loading floor and the lack of encumbrances like suspension towers makes it ultra-usable as well.

Still, with its powerful turbocharged six-cylinder engine, the XC60 is accented to performance more than fuel economy: Volvo quotes a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) acceleration time of just 7.1 seconds while estimated city/hwy fuel consumption is 14.7/10.7 L/100 km (19/26 mpg). For comparison, the BMW X3 is rated at 12.2/8.4 L/100 km. Fortunately, the XC60 uses Regular gas.

You can slip the shift lever to the right in the shift gate and manually select cogs yourself by toggling the lever forward or back.

The car is remarkably pointable and nimble, with light direct steering and a poise that's unusual for a car this tall.

It is always hard to make comparisons to competitive cars based solely on memory, but logistics make it difficult to impossible to do back-to-backs with every possible contender.

In Canada, standard equipment on the 2010 XC60 T6 will include the 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, six-speed Geartronic transmission, all-wheel drive, 18-inch all-season tires and alloy wheels, leather upholstery and heated front seats, premium audio system with six-disc CD changer, auxiliary input, eight speakers, satellite radio with free six month subscription, and steering wheel controls; dual zone climate control, cruise control, and electronic parking brake.

Standard safety features will include City Safety, Dynamic Stability and Traction Control, ABS, Brake Assist, Fading brake support, headlamp washers, front fog lights, multi-stage front airbags, dual-chamber side airbags with Volvo’s SIPS side impact protection, side curtain airbags, front head restraints with Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters, pedestrian/cyclist collision protection, and Intelligent Driver Information System (delays non-critical instrument warnings so as not to distract the driver in an emergency).

As well, all XC60s will get “Home Safe” lighting, Approach lighting, immobilizer and alarm, remote controlled alarm, and tempered side window glass.

The optional Tech Package (approx. $4,500) will include adaptive cruise control, collision warning with Brake Support, Lane Departure Warning, Driver Alert, Distance Alert, Blind Spot Information System, Personal Car Communicator with Keyless Drive, and Premium Sound system with 12 speakers, Dolby Pro Logic II Surround and 650-watt amplifier.

An optional Luxury Package (approx. $3,100) will include Four-C active chassis (driver adjustable suspension settings), Active Bending Headlights, front and rear audible parking assist, rain sensor (for wipers) and heated rear seats or two dual-stage integrated booster seats.

Lastly, an optional Convenience Package (approx. $2,100) includes driver-adjustable speed-sensitive steering, power tailgate, rear power child locks, humidity sensor, mass movement sensor, and level sensor.

Some options can be purchased individually: dual rear booster seats ($500), DVD navigation system ($2,500), dual-screen rear entertainment system ($2,250), and panoramic sunroof ($1,800).

All prices are approximate and final pricing will be announced closer to the on sale date.