The previous generation Volvo XC60, according to the company, became the best-selling model in nine years of production, introduced in 2008, the XC60 was sold in the amount of 1 million vehicles. I didn’t like the last generation of the crossover: boring on the outside, more interesting inside, thanks to the “floating panel”, but still not to my taste. But the new model, presented in 2017, turned out to be pretty, with an aggressive and recognizable front end, which the XC60 inherited from the flagship XC90 model and has now spread to the entire model range of the company. The car looks modern, got its own face and now it has become interesting not only for people of age, but also for a wider audience.
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On the other hand, the new Volvo XC60 looks more like a raised hatchback than a crossover. Too much piled-up pillars, too low roof. When landing, you often touch the counter with the top of your head, although in the cabin, sitting in a chair, you see that there is still a lot of space over your head, even despite the presence of a large panoramic roof in our configuration. Perhaps such a design decision is correct, since European buyers will rather be repelled by a too bulky car, and the roomy and neat outward appearance of the XC60 will be more to their liking. Surprisingly, our compatriots, despite their love for large crossovers, also received the new Volvo well. According to AUTOSTAT, at the end of 2019, Volvo XC60 managed to enter the TOP-10 of the most popular crossovers in the price range of 3-4 million rubles. The company sold 2 XC510 in this price segment and took 60th place in the ranking, the first place in which, of course, is occupied by the brutal Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, and the second is occupied by the Lexus RX.
If the exterior of the car has a lot of details similar to other representatives of the Volvo family, for example, a concave radiator grille or running lights in the form of a “Thor’s hammer”, then there are even more of them in the interior, and any person more or less interested in cars at first glance will unmistakably guess the XC60 belongs to the Swedish brand. I like the interior of the new Volvo, and this unification does not bother me, but if someone does not like it, then the manufacturer will not be able to sell another model to that person. But Volvo has, in my opinion, a very big plus: their interior is completely different from those of other manufacturers, and this is a great advantage in the age of ubiquitous copying. Another point that I will note is the attention of the Swedes to details, for example, the pretty curves of the decorative insert, it can be made of metal or wood. A recognizable and neat starter knob on the central tunnel, which is much more pleasant than the usual button, although half of the test I tried to find the button next to the steering wheel by inertia. Or the drum for switching modes of movement – yes, this is not an innovation, but it is made very visually interesting.
What the Volvo XC60 meets the driver on first acquaintance with is an excellent branded seat, it is rigid, with a good profile and pronounced lateral support. By adjusting the chair for yourself, you can drive many kilometers in one sitting and not even get tired a bit. That’s why I like Volvo, of course. In the test car, the front seats were with a full range of electric adjustments and position memory, even the popliteal pad was electrically operated. People of any size and height will sit down and feel comfortable in the XC60 without any problems, the main thing is to adjust everything for themselves for the first time, and then you will already feel at home.
With a height of 187 cm, I calmly sit down behind myself, the doorway at the bottom is a little narrow, but when you have already sat down on the back sofa, you immediately feel like a king, it is so comfortable. The knees do not reach the back of the driver’s seat, the legs can be easily positioned under the front seat, it remains to fold the center armrest, and you can even go on a long journey as a rear passenger. For the comfort of rear passengers, there is a separate climate control unit, this is an additional option in the case of a four-zone climate control system, and it is also possible to replace the USB connectors with a regular socket, as in a test car. The Isofix mounts are located under the plastic caps, making installing the child seat a hassle-free experience.
The trunk in the new Volvo XC60 is not the largest in the class – 505 liters, but its shape is correct, and by folding the backs of the rear sofa (this can only be done from the cabin), which form an almost flat floor, it can be increased to 1432 liters. If your vehicle is equipped with air suspension, the rear air bellows deflate when the tailgate is opened, thereby reducing the loading height. The tailgate, of course, is electrically operated and can be opened with a swing of the foot under the bumper, and with a separate button you can immediately close it and lock the car. A stowaway is hiding underground, not a full-fledged spare wheel, but that’s not bad either.
The XC60 features a Sensus 9 ”vertical touchscreen media system. The display is not bad in quality, responsive, but the display resolution would have been higher. True, in the current generation Volvo will not change anything, Sensus is being replaced by a new system based on the Android OS from Google, it has already been shown along with the premiere of the Volvo XC40 Recharge electric crossover. The new system will retain the familiar design, but otherwise it will be completely different.
The current solution is quite clear and logical, with three screens. The first one contains quick settings for the car in the form of icons, the second, which is also the main one, provides access to basic data such as navigation and the player in the form of horizontal tabs that can be expanded, and the third screen contains additional data. All basic settings are hidden in the shutter, similar to Android smartphones. In general, for those who are familiar with modern smartphones, Sensus will be immediately clear, the same gestures work here, and the logic of the menu is similar to mobile devices. In terms of operating speed, the system is not reactive, but in general the speed is quite acceptable, and the manufacturer hid some thoughtfulness with animation.
The user can install additional applications to the system from the set suggested by the manufacturer. The list includes weather, local Google search, which is integrated into the regular navigation, and, for example, the TuneIn program. All applications, as well as standard navigation maps, can be updated online, and media system updates are also available online. As an option, there is access to remote control of the car from a smartphone via the Volvo On Call app, which is available for both Android and iOS. This program allows you not only to view statistics, but also to open or close the car, carry out a remote start, which will be especially important for diesel engines in winter, and also see the location of the car on maps in real time.
What I don’t really like about Sensus is that the manufacturer has brought in there all the settings related to climate control. Yes, all data is always available at the bottom of the screen, and it is easy to reach them, but still this is not the most convenient solution, classic buttons and knobs would be much more convenient. On the other hand, the climate can be controlled with the help of a voice assistant, even the phrase “I’m cold / hot” is enough, and the system will immediately react. But the majority of users, despite the proposed innovations, will always poke at the screen, and there is not only temperature control, but also the inclusion of three-level seat heating and ventilation, and even the inclusion of heating the steering wheel. For the last points, of course, I would very much like to see physical keys, since using them on the go on the touch screen is still a pleasure.
We had a 60 Volvo XC2019 and lacked the wireless charging and USB Type-C connectors that were introduced in the current model year. The test car had two USB-A in the armrest, which in itself is not very convenient, and a regular socket (option) for the rear passengers. Modern devices are charged from the vehicle’s on-board network not quickly, but not very slowly. One device can be connected to the system via Bluetooth; simultaneous operation of several devices is not supported. The speakerphone works perfectly, the interlocutors always hear you well thanks to the two directional microphones in the upper part of the cabin.
Our car had a pre-installed navigation that can work with traffic jams, it is enough to connect the car to an access point via Wi-Fi. The maps in the system are up-to-date, the company says that they are updated once a quarter, and the system builds the optimal route. The only thing is that for some reason navigation does not give the exact arrival time, taking into account traffic jams, it is always calculated without them, and the visual design of the maps is not the most beautiful. Navigation tips are displayed on a virtual dashboard, and in the settings, you can turn on the constant display of the map between devices. If you do not have a navigation option in your car, then you will still have access to simple maps based on HERE (standard navigation is also built on them), but with access only when connected to the Internet, with very simple construction along the route and without the possibility of normal scaling. And also the car has support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (optional), the latter without the possibility of a wireless connection.
There was a complete set of electronic driver assistants in our test car. I note an excellent picture from all-round cameras, which makes parking even in the most difficult places much easier, a blind spot monitoring system with visual indication in the mirrors, although large XC60 mirrors allow you to orient yourself well without it. As well as a warning system when reversing, which avoids collisions with perpendicular traffic. And, of course, it is worth noting the Pilot Assist system, which allows the car to move almost autonomously, no matter in a traffic jam or on the highway. The system is one of the best on the market, it responds well to the situation, smoothly slowing and accelerating the car, but at the same time always keeping in the stream. All control rests on the buttons on the steering wheel, they look flat, but thanks to their large size, they are easy to operate even blindly. The assistant allows you to release the steering wheel for 10 seconds, but then asks you to put your hands back on the steering wheel. What Pilot Assist does not cope with is with right turns at speed, it is at these moments that the system takes the car to the markings, itself notifies you of its violation by vibration on the steering wheel and then abruptly goes back into the lane. It seems that the markings are clearly visible, and it is light on the street, but this maneuver is not given to the car, and the car always passes the left turn smoothly. On the other hand, Pilot Assist is not a full-fledged autopilot, so the driver should always be ready at all times, and the assistant just makes driving easier and avoids trouble if you are a little distracted.
All Pilot Assist operating tips are displayed on a 12.3 ”virtual instrument cluster, where you can select a display theme from four available options. It also displays tips on road restrictions, which is transmitted from a camera on the windshield that reads road signs. There will also be information about calls, as well as about the musical composition, and even with album covers. As an option, you can retrofit the car with a good head-up display, which shows almost all the same information as on the dashboard. Yes, there are no particular questions about the virtual dashboard, but it’s time to increase the display resolution.
In Russia, the new Volvo XC60 is offered only with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic, but there are three engines to choose from, two diesel 190 and 235 hp. and one petrol 249 hp. Initially, a car with a diesel engine was planned for the test, but at the last moment it was replaced by a model with a gasoline engine. Volvo’s 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol has no questions, it delivers acceptable power, although it certainly doesn’t have the same low-end pickup as the diesel. The work of the engine and gearbox linkage is set for smooth movement, even in the “Dynamic” mode there is no aggression, as, for example, on the same BMWs. Such settings are understandable, Volvo is still aimed at an adult, mostly family audience, which does not reckless, but prefers to move slowly and comfortably on the roads. Average gas consumption is 10 liters per 100 km, which is not bad, but in the city it can rise to 12-13 liters, but on the highway it can drop to 8 liters. The car holds the road well, there is almost a lack of sharpness in management, but this was done for the sake of comfort, and, again, potential buyers do not need it.
I would call the car comfortable, although it should be noted that the test model was equipped with air suspension. The car does not like only roads with a large number of patches, at speed it starts to shake perceptibly, although in fairness it should be noted that most cars do not like this type of road. The cabin is quiet on the move, a little rustling of tires, a little aerodynamic noise, but in general, even at speed, you can talk to passengers without raising your voice at all.
Prices for the new Volvo XC60 in our market start at 3 rubles, the test car was approaching at a price of 449 rubles. A more or less interesting option can be found for 000 million, and even cheaper with discounts. The XC5 has enough competitors, and they will all cost comparable money. It is Volvo that will be interesting for those who want to get a comfortable and safe car, since the XC000 base already has front and side airbags, inflatable curtains, and according to the results of the Euro NCAP crash test, the model received 000 stars out of 4.
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