Volvo XC60 a worthy alternative

It has also won numerous awards like the prestigious 2018 World Car of the Year title. It’s not difficult to see why though as the XC60 offers great practicality thanks to its SUV layout and looks really good thanks to the brand’s current design language. For me to get to grips with this car I spent some time behind the wheel.

The exterior

The variant that arrived at the office was the D5 model but in R-Design guise which means that it was fitted with all the sporty-looking bits. In my opinion, the Volvo XC60 is most definitely the prettiest offering within its segment and the R-Design kit elevates its overall beauty and appeal. Why? Well, the design is smooth unlike the overly angular elements found on some competitors. The R-Design bumpers, flared side skirts and larger 21-inch wheels give the car a more muscular look. One of the highlight styling features for me is the day-time running lights resembling Thor’s hammer. At the rear, the XC60 retains the long vertical taillights that extend into the tailgate. I also found the two large exhaust pipes on the lower ends of the rear bumper to be a tasteful addition as many manufacturers tend to hide the pipes underneath the bumper.

The interior

On the interior, it is evident that Volvo has listened to what customers want with the driver-focused facia and supportive and comfortable heated seats. A large vertically orientated infotainment screen takes centre stage, the system is easy to use once you have familiarised yourself with the menu layout. It supports smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as Bluetooth and WiFi. The rest of the facia makes use of a minimalistic approach to its design with most of the climate and radio controls being incorporated within the infotainment menu. In the centre console, you will find a short gear lever and also the drive select toggle which allows the driver to choose between the various vehicle setup options ranging from Normal, Efficiency, Dynamic and even Off-Road for low-speed rough terrain situations.

I enjoyed the high-quality look and feel especially the jewel-like volume dial, start button and drive select toggle which adds a sense of opulence to the interior. It is more minimalistic than the interiors of the German alternatives although it doesn’t feel clinical. As for luggage space; the XC60 makes do with a claimed, 505-litres which can be increased to 1432-litres when the rear seats are folded down.

The engine

Under the bonnet of the test vehicle is a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine which develops 173 kW and 480 N.m of torque. Being the all-wheel-drive variant, power is sent to all corners via a smooth 8-speed automatic gearbox. The power delivery is refined for a diesel and the torque comes in at around 1750rpm. Another feature that enhanced the ride quality was the optional air suspension which adapts to road conditions as well as driving modes. As for safety, the Volvo offers a host of the latest features such as active lane keep assist, blind-spot alert, active cruise control and a host of other systems running in the background like City Safe, a sensor-assisted braking and collision mitigation system to keep you and those around you safe.

The verdict

After spending time with the Volvo XC60 I can confirm that I like it, sure it might feel a bit numb compared to its the Germans counterparts, but as an alternative, it is undoubtedly worth consideration within the segment.

Warranty

The Volvo XC60 comes standard with a 5-year/100 000km Warranty and Maintenance Plan.

Price

Volvo XC60 D5 AWD R-Design – R 811 400

Likes:

The R-Design styling

The interior fit and finish

Low down torque

Dislikes:

Lacks engagement

Costly compared to competitors

Instrument cluster lacks resolution