Vehicle: 2010 Volvo XC60 T6 with Luxury Pkg 2, Convenience Pkg and Tech Pkg
Price as tested: CDN$56460

Performance: We began our compact premium SUV renissance series with the impressive Mercedes GLK. Subject to this edition of test drive is another compact SUV from yet another premium manufacturer, Volvo. So does XC60 really the sportiest Volvo as what those Swedish claimed to be? We will find out after this test drive.

Performance: The XC60 comes with only one single powertrain. Thankfully, this is Volvo’s best powertrain to date. We have experienced on how impressive Volvo’s T6 engine with the S80. True to Volvo’s Swedish tradition, this engine is turbocharged. Matching an in-line 6-cylinder with a turbocharge plus variable valve timing, DOHC and 24-valve mean this XC is definitely not a dog. Unlike of what its bigger brother, XC90, launched. Volvo launched XC60 with the right powertrain. This engine is as good as anything else in this class. With 281hp and 295 lb/ft of torque at driver’s disposal, power is never an issue. What’s most impressive is it all does without the usual annoying turbo lag that plugged most turbo engines. Its level of refinement, smoothness and NVH are simply excellent. The throttle response is quick and linear. What Volvo engineers really have done with T6 is it doesn’t feel short of power when revving on high rpm, which have been the usual criticism of previous Volvo motors. 295 lb/ft of torque at 1500rpm means there are plenty of low-end torque. Another great thing is it doesn’t feel sluggish when carrying 1928kg of Swedish leather lined of luxury. Without a proper powertrain, the XC60 won’t performed as good. The familiar 6-speed Geartronic is the only gearbox for the XC60. The gears are properly geared while the shifts are crisp and smooth. Although Volvo’s typical harsh manumatic character remains intact. It kinda tell you that driving a Volvo should be relaxing instead of enthuisastic in its comfortable ambience.

Handling: Based on the all-new platform that shares components with S80, XC70 and V70. It means XC60 uses the best components from Volvo’s parts bin on its underpinnings. That set, XC60′s chassis is strong yet rigid in traditional Volvo fashion. Its completely free of flex and rattles when driven through railroad tracks and rough pavements. XC60′s another bonus is the excellent AWD system that works handi-in-hand with Volvo’s DSTC dynamic stability control. Both work together seamlessly. As for whether this is the sportiest Volvo ever made. On our tester which comes with Volvo’s advanced 4C active chassis system. Driver can choose from Advanced, Comfort and Sport for suspension setting. On the other hand, steering efforts from Low, Medium or High. Even when we chose Sport suspension and High steering setting, we found the ride a bit too stiff legged. Leave it at Comfort with Medium steering effort seems to be the best compromise. The suspension doesn’t feel significant difference between settings although its much stiffer in Sport. Comfort is the softest and most comfortable. On all steering setting, however, both the feedback and response are decent while forgiving. The suspension has the usual supple quality with usual Volvo’s softness which is always a good idea for Volvo’s target audience. There are body rolls and understeer, however, they are well-controlled. When it comes to body rolls, Volvo engineers have managed to give XC60 a chance to roll a bit before settling itself. That works exceptionally well for any driver alerts before anything starts to happen. Even when things do go wrong, there is always a very good DSTC waiting in the wings to save from ugliness.

Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, XC60′s braking performance is much better than expected given its curb weight. The stopping distance is short, while both pedal feel and modulation are performed exceptionally well. Its ABS won’t step in necessarily is yet another added bonus.

Interior: When you talk Volvo interior, its hard not to mention their superb seats. Those seats provide excellent support for all places without feeling harsh and confining, they also make anyone seat on those feel relaxing on long journey without getting tired. Another Volvo trademark is their floating console. Everything else from climate control to navigational system work exceptionally well, ergonomics, on the floating console. Its when you need to grab miscellaneous from the back of the floating console, it makes for a long grab from underneath the dashboard. The rest of the interior is very well-finished. With tasteful aluminum trim, wood trim and plenty of soft-touch plastic to add class.

At the back of the XC60, it got plenty of head and legrooms for both passengers.

Unlike XC90, XC60 has a one-piece hatch. It starts with the rear washer/wiper for added safety. Open the hatch, there are plenty of cargo space with or without rear seats folded down. The cargo area is very nicely carpeted. All those nice tie-downs have shown how much experience Volvo has engineered a practical and versatile wagons in its history. The side sills and liftover are low for easy access. If there is one drawback, however, its the rear glass won’t opened indepedently. It should!

Conclusion: XC60 could well be the sportiest Volvo ever made, the other side of the S60/V70R and 850 T5-R. That is not its most important selling point, however. Its the balanced combination of performance and comfort that are most impressive with the XC60. It all have done without the losing the usual calm composure that defined the Volvo brand.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2010 Volvo XC60
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Performance: 4.5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 3.5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4.5/5
Value-for-money: 3/5

Overall rating: 3.75/5