The automatic transmission comes with a sport mode, and steering is definitely weighted better than that in many previous Volvo models, but the XC60 is still by no means a sporty vehicle when the road turns twisty. The XC60 looks tall, but overall it drives like a much lower vehicle, with a secure, planted feel in tight corners. The wood (Nordic Light Oak) or metallic-finished center stack (surfaces with curves that remind us of Scandinavian furniture) verges into the gauge cluster hood, and all sorts of pleasing colors and textures-including contrasting two-tone seats-fill out the cabin. Inside, the XC60 is has a very appealing design, taking design attributes from other Volvos, like the 'floating' center stack with storage behind, and meshing it with an updated version of the smooth but more upright dash in the XC90-with the center stack slightly angled toward the driver. The large "ironmark" badge and big grille complete the slightly more athletic look. Particularly from the side, where some crossovers in this class either look like squat station wagons on stilts, or slightly elongated faux-rugged utes, the XC60 design is smooth and cohesive, with shoulders that flow nearly from headlamps to taillights. It has an exterior that's organic and rakish from some angles, just like the S60 sedan that was designed by the same team, while it's a little more reined-in and formal. Heated seats are part of a $1,000 package adaptive cruise, distance alerts, lane-departure warning, and collision warning are bundled for $1,695. Volvo's nav unit takes some getting used to also, by the way-it's not a touchscreen device, and only the driver can operate it from wheel-mounted controls. Top options include a Dynaudio 650-watt sound system, a rearview camera and navigation system, it runs $2,700. This new model includes most of the same equipment included in the T5 R-Design: dual xenon headlamps with Active Bending Light, a panoramic sunroof and power sunshade, leather sport seats with contrasting colors, roof rails, and a special R-Design grille, trim, and 20-inch wheels. City Safety wraps together the sensors used in various other high-tech safety aids in the XC60, including Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Driver Alert Control, Distance Alert, and the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS).įor 2011, you can now get the R-Design package. In addition to all the conventional safety features, and good safety ratings, the XC60 offers a few active-safety tech features you won't find everywhere. However, there's an extra stash area just under the cargo floor. Cargo space is pretty generous, at more than 30 cubic feet with the rear seats up, but they fold down into a large cargo area (67 cubic feet), but they don't fold quite flat. Overall, the XC60's interior speaks of quality trim and textures, with lots of upscale finishes like available real oak veneer. The second row is just passable for two adults, as it's somewhat tight on legroom and there's not quite the width to fit three adults across. Up front, the driving position is nice and upright, but there's a little less support from the bottom cushion than Volvo seats normally deliver, and the passenger footwell feels a bit narrow. The XC60's crossover shape provides lots of passenger comfort, and a cargo-friendly setup as well. T6 models corner a bit better, and steering feel can be adjusted through screen-based settings. As such, the XC60 is very quick, and capable of getting to 60 mph in seven seconds, or a little less. Sporty T6 models get a turbocharged 3.0-liter in-line six, now making 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet. Part of that's due to the fact that the XC60 is surprisingly hefty (more than 4,200 pounds in AWD guise) but the engine seems to come into its own on the highway and with the responsive six-speed automatic can pull off very rapid passes. In its base form, with a 3.2-liter in-line six-cylinder engine, the 2011 Volvo XC60 feels responsive but not as downright perky as its 240 horsepower (up 5 this year) should feel. The XC60 looks (and is) tall, but overall it drives like a much lower vehicle, with a secure, planted feel in tight corners. Case in point: it's added to the XC60 crossover lineup and stocked it with the latest luxury features while it's announced the demise (at least in the U.S.) of the V70 wagon. The station wagon is a Volvo staple, yet as of late even Volvo has shown signs of abandoning traditional wagon designs in favor of taller utility vehicles.
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