The ultimate family car – the Volvo XC60 driving impression
It has been made very clear that I am a Volvo fan. One only needs to read the posts on my longterm V40 Crosscountry to figure it out. I think of myself as an objective journalist and try be as fair as possible at all times. But it can get tricky, especially when every car you drive from a certain manufacturer cements your love even further. Let’s just get this out of the way then shall we? I am a huge Volvo fan. I never used be, it was only when I stepped inside the V40 for the first time that I saw the light. And who would have thought? A young, blonde female was not exactly Volvo’s target market back in the day. But things have and are still changing. This is no longer an old man’s car, it is, most certainly, the opposite in fact.
Volvo is no newcomer to the crossover or SUV segment. In fact the Volvo XC60 was launched more than five years ago which the Swedish manufacturer says combines cross country like capability with the sporty charisma of a coupe.
It’s a great looking car! I know looks are subjective of course, but one cannot deny its sporty appeal. As Steve Martin, Volvo Cars’ design director, puts it, “The car is charged with more emotive form and far more energy than any previous Volvo model.” I took this car on a weekend getaway to Robertson and as we pulled up to the holiday house, my friends, who are used to me arriving in a different car every time they see me, came outside to take a closer look. They all commented on how ‘handsome’ this car was.
A part from its looks, it is comfortable too. And as is expected is packed with an array of standard features including cruise control, climate control, heated and electrically adjustable mirrors with ground lights and auto fold, and power child locks to name only a few. The ride is smooth (thanks to the 18-inch wheels it rides on) and the eight-speed automatic transmission selects the correct gear with ease and keeps the revs low when cruising. The XC60 D5 is mated with a manual gearbox as standard.
Two engines are available for the XC60, the turbocharged 3,0-litre, six cylinder petrol engine which produces 210 kW and 400 N.m of torque, and the 2,5-litre, five cylinder D5 turbodiesel that produces 136 kW and 400 N.m of torque.
If Volvo is known for anything it is safety and the XC60 is packed with standard and optional safety features that would make anyone confident and comfortable knowing their family is being transported with the utmost of care. This extensive list includes adaptive cruise control (so you don’t have to worry about braking if the car in front of you is going slower than you are, the car will do it automatically), lane departure warning (just in case you veer to the side by mistake), blind spot information system (no need to break your neck anymore trying to check your blind spot), park assist camera, emergency flashing brake lights (for those sudden stops), and collision warning. One of the latest of Volvo’s city safety features makes its debut in the XC60. It helps the driver avoid frontal collisions at speeds of up to 30 km/h. It prepares the brakes in order to reduce braking time to avoid the vehicle in front. If the driver remains inactive, the system brakes automatically and might avoid a collision entirely at speeds of up to 15 km/h.
The Volvo XC60 is the ultimate family car. It is spacious, in fact it is very spacious despite it’s smaller exterior dimensions. It has off-road capabilities for those unexpected roadtrips, it’s comfortable, not only for the passenger but for the driver as well. It’s big enough to house the whole family but small enough to not be intimidating to drive. This would be my pick! But like I mentioned, I am a die hard Volvo fan. So to come across with a bit more integrity as an objective journalist, let’s rather say that it would most certainly be a top contender for me!