Volvo’s X-Ceptional new XC60

Volvo Cars remains on track for a fourth consecutive year of record sales after another strong sales month in October. For the first 10 months of 2017, global retail sales amounted to 461,313 cars – up 8.6% compared to a year ago. Volvo’s new car line-up has never looked better and now the new Volvo XC60 is set to boost Volvo’s sales figures dramatically.

The old model XC60 was Volvo’s 5-seat, mid-size premium SUV and was Volvo’s best-selling model of all time. Launched in 2008, the original XC60 allowed Volvo to compete head-on with (and beat) its German competitors in the segment, one of the most competitive in the market.

The new Volvo XC60 is all-new from the ground up and is built on the same platform as its bigger brother, the XC90. One look is all that is needed to realise that, with the new XC60, Volvo have created one of the most stylish, technologically advanced and desirable SUV’s on the planet. However, the new XC60’s beauty is more than just skin deep, as all models in the line-up come with a truly special interior, which offers all occupants excellent ergonomics to make every journey memorable.

Volvo XC60’s main competitors include the BMW X3, Audi Q5 and Land Rover’s Discovery Sport – all of whom should be very worried indeed.

Volvo’s corporate and brand strategy “Designed Around You” puts people at the centre and is a foundation and a guide for the business, the products and the corporate culture.

As with all Volvo cars and SUV’s, safety comes as standard. The XC60 comes with one of the most comprehensive standard safety specifications available in the segment, including Collision Mitigation Support, which offers a range of collision avoidance and mitigation functionalities including pedestrian and cyclist detection. Steer Assist has been added to Volvo’s ground-breaking City Safety system. A new system called Oncoming Lane Mitigation uses Steer Assist to help mitigate head-on collisions, while Volvo’s Blind Spot Indication System (BLIS) now uses Steer Assist functionality to reduce the risk of lane-changing collisions.

My test car was a super-stylish Volvo XC60 4WD D4 Inscription Geartronic (Automatic) finished in Denim Blue metallic and fitted with Volvo’s brilliant 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine. This frugal power plant produces 190bhp and a whopping 400Nm of torque – leading to a towing capacity of up to 2,400kg. The 0-100km/h sprint can be completed in just 8.4 seconds, leading to a top speed of 205km/h where permitted. A Co2 emission figure of 136g/km in the test car I drove leads to annual road tax of just €280.

Volvo quote a fuel consumption figure of 5.1-litres/100km on a combined driving cycle for the XC60 I drove and I have to admit that I got very close to this figure in real-world driving. However, outstanding fuel economy was only one area of the Volvo XC60 that impressed me. I was extremely impressed by how much the new XC60 has to offer drivers and passengers in terms of safety, comfort, practicality, security, technology and engineering prowess – all in one desirable package.

Three trim levels are available in the new XC60 – Momentum, R-Design and Inscription. Standard specification is spectacular no matter which model you choose. Prices start at just €53,950 for the Momentum D4 4WD Geartronic model. A plug-in hybrid model is also available in all trim levels. The new XC60 really impressed me in every area and adds a real sense of occasion to every journey. Volvo have created yet another huge sales success.