Presentation and road test of the Volvo XC60 2018, looking at the best

The new Volvo has been with us for some time, but one of its most popular models, the SUV XC60, had not yet been renewed.

A renewed generation of the XC60 has just arrived, and Volvo invited us to Asturias to see how well the change has suited it.

The XC family has meant a great deal to the Swedish manufacturer. Since the arrival in 2002 of the brand’s first SUV, the XC90, Volvo’s trajectory in this type of vehicle has been consistently upward. It was not until 2008 that the firm launched the XC60, an alternative for all those who wanted the characteristics of a Volvo without needing such a large volume.

The new generation of the XC60 arrives to take on the kings of the segment with confidence, positioning itself as a first-class premium alternative loaded with technology, with an attractive design and a build quality that aims for the top places.

Exterior design

The bodywork design of the new XC60 draws directly from the guidelines of its bigger brother, the XC90, with extremely similar lines. At the front we therefore still find a generous grille and light units with the characteristic light signature called “Thor’s hammer”, which on the XC60 extends until it merges with the grille frame.

The XC60 measures 4.69 metres long and a generous 2 metres wide
The front is quite upright, which gives the whole a more robust image, an image reinforced by very pronounced side lines that give muscle to the surface of the doors and wings. The glazed area is of normal size, ending in a small rise behind the C-pillar. The wheel arches are accentuated with marked arches on the wings, using alloy wheels ranging from 18 to 21″.

At the rear we again find considerable similarities with the XC90, keeping a tailgate with a sloping rear window and a bumper with integrated reflectors. On this model, however, the rear lights, which keep their vertical position, have a horizontal extension towards the inside.

At the bottom we find, contrary to the trends of the segment, two real exhaust outlets, which depending on the finish are round or rectangular.
The new XC60 has generous dimensions, with 4.69 metres in length and a width of 1.99 metres, which make it one of the widest SUVs in its segment.

Interior design

Once we open the door of the new XC60 to get inside, we immediately realise that, whereas on the outside the XC90 is the reference point for the XC60, in the cabin the differences are even smaller. The fact is that the design line introduced in the new Volvo 90 Series is carried over once again to a new model, this time the XC60.

Soft lines and warm, fluid strokes are part of the spirit of the model, with a simplicity of line that is truly commendable, resulting in one of the cleanest cabins in terms of the number of buttons, reduced in this XC60 to just 8. This drastic reduction of switches is, in some cases, excessive, since to input some commands or carry out certain actions such as operating the air conditioning, we will have to press several times on the large central screen, placed in a vertical position.

The build quality of the new XC60 reaffirms Volvo in its position as a full-fledged premium brand, with first-rate materials, great visual harmony with details such as the floating moulding that runs the full width of the dashboard, and extremely precise fit, which place it just behind the all-powerful Audi Q5, but ahead of models such as the Lexus NX or the Mercedes-Benz GLC. Only the glovebox and the sides of the centre console are covered in rigid plastic.

It is one of the benchmarks in the segment for build quality
The interior space is adequate for four passengers, who will enjoy a refined and relaxing atmosphere, with more than enough longitudinal and width dimensions. However, an overly generous transmission tunnel takes space from the occupant of the middle seat, who will feel somewhat uncomfortable.

The boot, meanwhile, offers 505 litres in very usable shapes, which drop to 468 litres in the case of the T8 hybrid variant, which, due to the volume of the electric motor located on the rear axle, takes up some boot space.

Dynamics and technology

The 2018 XC60 is a completely new model. It has been built on the scalable modular SPA platform of the Swedish brand, a platform that also serves as the basis for the entire 90 Series. This platform, which uses lightweight materials and is conceived from the outset with electrification in mind, allows the XC60 to mature its approach.

It is now a vehicle that enjoys a more rigid bodyshell, also improving other aspects such as sound insulation. The Volvo XC60 has excellent soundproofing and insulation, making the cabin a kind of bubble isolated from the outside.

The SPA platform offers greater technical possibilities and great construction flexibility. That is why the XC60 debuts, for the first time in its history, an air suspension system with variable height, optional, although as standard it uses the innovative rear suspension with transverse composite leaf spring.

Safety equipment once again becomes a priority within the brand. Volvo has for decades boasted, rightly so, of its investment in both active and passive safety, which has led it to become one of the world’s major references in the automotive industry.

The XC60 is no exception, and it is also the one that debuts three new features, hitherto unseen within the brand. The extensive list of driver assistance systems present in the 90 Series models, such as City Safety – standard across the whole Volvo range -, the lane departure protection system or the semi-autonomous Pilot Assist assistant.

The three new functions are City Safety with steering assistance, which acts on the vehicle’s trajectory to try to avoid a collision when the brakes are not sufficient, Collision mitigation with oncoming vehicles and BLIS with steering assistance, which again acts on the trajectory to avoid a blind-spot collision.

In this new generation, the XC60 can be equipped with the air suspension system already mentioned, with four different heights, as well as a “load” position for the boot. This suspension allows greater flexibility when using the vehicle in different scenarios, as well as very good filtering and insulation quality.

Once on the road, the XC60 positions itself as one of the most comfortable mid-size SUVs to drive. Its premium status is thus reaffirmed by an absolute sense of well-being when we take the controls, where the cabin itself also contributes to that relaxation.

The electrically assisted steering feels very isolated, so it does not inform us of what is happening under the wheels. Moreover, in certain situations we may notice over-assistance, which reduces confidence when linking bends at a good pace. Nevertheless, the XC60 effectively contains body movements, and the braking system responds forcefully to the demands of the pedal.

Range and versions

The XC60 family is made up of a modular 2-litre, four-cylinder engine block, belonging to the Drive-E family, which serves both the diesel and petrol versions. For now, the engine range consists of two diesel options, D4 with 190 CV and D5 with 235 CV, two petrol options, T5 with 254 CV and T6 with 320 CV, and the already known plug-in hybrid variant T8, with 407 CV.

All versions available at the start of sales are paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox with torque converter, a gearbox that stands out for its smoothness, transmitting power to the ground through a switchable all-wheel-drive system. By the end of the year the T4 with 190 CV and manual gearbox will arrive, along with the T5 with front-wheel drive, while the D3 with front-wheel drive and 150 CV will arrive next spring.

With three finishes available on any of the engines (Momentum, R-Design and Inscription), the prices of the initial range start at €51,190 for the D4 up to €72,560 for the T8, both in Momentum trim. The future 150 CV D3 with manual gearbox and front-wheel drive will have a starting price of €39,950.

Technical specifications of this car

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