2010 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD
By Marcel
5 Jun 2010 | 5,081 views | No Comment

SPECIFICATIONS
Model: Volvo XC60 T6 AWD
Engine: 3.0-liter turbocharged inline 6
Horsepower/Torque: 281 hp @ 5,600 rpm/295 lb.-ft.@ 1,500-4,800 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic with manual
Wheelbase: 109.2 in.
Length/Width/Height: 182.2 x 74.4 x 67.4 in.
Tires: P235/60R18
Cargo volume: 30.8/67.4 cu. ft. (rear seat backs up/down)
Fuel economy: 16 mpg city/21 mpg highway/18.4 mpg test
Fuel capacity: 18.5 gal.
Curb weight: 4,174 lbs.
Sticker: $37,200 (base, plus $850 destination charge)
The Bottom Line: There’s no doubt that the Volvo XC 60 is a beautiful package, from
its overall lines to the artistically designed and crafter tail light assemblies. It
offers luxury, power and performance at a reasonable price – compared to similar
luxury vehicles.
Volvo’s XC60 is a crossover sport utility that leans more toward the
station wagon side of things than the SUV side. By that I mean Volvo used
its considerable wagon experience to craft the XC60 rather than sharing
some of Ford’s “Explorer” experience (Volvo was a part of Ford when the XC
60 was designed).
That’s a good thing. For years, Volvo wagons have led the market. Adding
all-wheel drive to the equation only adds to their practicality without
reducing their overall appeal. The price is higher than a Toyota
Highlander, for example, but the luxury part of the equation is also
higher, making it almost worth the sticker.
Under the hood is a 281 horsepower turbocharged inline six that doesn’t
suffer from the dreaded turbo steer when you tromp down on the
accelerator. This super-smooth engine is hooked to a 6-speed automatic
transmission with a manual mode. I guess if you take the XC60 truly
off-roading you might want the manual, but for 99 percent of the driving
you’ll ever do in this car, the automatic will suffice. Shifting the
gearbox manually requires shifting the lever, and those of us who have
been spoiled by steering wheel-mounted paddles find actually shifting to
be so 1990s.
The XC60’s ride is quiet and comfortable on all road surfaces, yet it
still offers decent handling. The front seats are comfortable with decent
side support. The rears are also comfortable but the center hump precludes
carrying a third passenger back there.

Cargo capacity is excellent. Even with the second row seat backs in place
there is (are?) 30.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity. Even my wife and
daughters would have a challenge filling that space. Fold the rear seat
backs down, though, and cargo capacity explodes to 67.4 cubic feet, more
than enough for a long romantic weekend for two. Heck, there’s even enough
room to sleep in the back.
There’s even a small covered cargo area under the cargo floor, and a mini
spare tire under that.
I liked the fact that the rear headrests fold when you lower the seat
backs, aiding in creating a flat floor.
A new Volvo safety feature on the XC60 is city safety. This feature
actually stops the car (if you’re traveling at a city-proper speed) if a
pedestrian or stopped car is in front of you. It’s a bit disconcerting
when the car stops, but the value is immeasurable.
The XC60 has a unique pushbutton start/stop. There’s a slot for you to
insert the “key.” Step on the brake and push the start/stop button on the
dash. Reverse the procedure to shut the engine off.
Adding to the styling, there’s a huge panoramic sun roof covering the
entire passenger area. Only the front part over the driver and front
passenger opens, though.
The dash is nicely styled with a few oddities. For one, there’s the audio
read-out, which is in a pop-up style screen on top of the dash. This
doesn’t pop down, however.
The navigation screen is used primarily for the back-up camera’s video,
since our tester either didn’t have navigation or it wasn’t hooked up.
Actually, the blank screen didn’t prove to be a distraction.
Overall, the Volvo XC60 is beautiful, safe (it is a Volvo) and delivers
the quality performance you’d expect from a luxury station wagon. It’s
interesting that the Cadillac CTS SportWagon is very similar to the XC60,
yet Cadillac bites the bullet and calls it a wagon. Hmmm.
© 2010 The Auto Page Syndicate
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