Volvo XC60: 2018 carsales Car of the Year Highly Commended
Second runner-up award for polished mid-size SUV makes it two out of three for Swedish brandThe Volvo XC60 has been awarded a Highly Commended ranking in the carsales Car of the Year 2018.
It joins its smaller sibling — the top-ranking XC40 — on the Car of the Year podium, cementing an unprecedented performance from Volvo.
The Volvo XC60 T6 R-Design was highly rated by the carsales Car of the Year judges. In the reckoning, however, it was cost to own and run data from RedBook that prevented the stylish and polished mid-size SUV from tipping out its stablemate or the Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander CRDi from higher placings.
If any result came close to shocking the judges in carsales Car of the Year 2018, it was the relegation of the larger Volvo to third spot on the ladder. Many had tipped the Volvo XC60 T6 R-Design as favourite for this year’s award.
Judge Paul Gover stated the case: "A potential winner… All the good stuff with more go, grip and space."
Andrea Matthews agreed: "Enjoyable package, great option for premium SUV buyers looking for room and driveability...".
About the only significant concern expressed by the judges centred on the ride quality. In T6 R-Design form, the Volvo XC60 came fitted as standard with 40-series Pirelli P Zero tyres on 21-inch rims. That's an uncompromising combination for a mid-size SUV, but it is what buyers are snapping up, according to Volvo.
With SUVs occupying the top placings in the carsales Car of the Year 2018, and Volvos in two of those three top spots, the results are telling. Not only are SUVs Australia's favourite class of motor vehicle – they now offer the substance to warrant that popularity.
That's doubly the case for Volvo.
Read more:
• carsales Car Of The Year 2018
• Volvo XC40: carsales Car Of The Year 2018
• Hyundai Santa Fe: carsales Car Of The Year 2018 Highly Commended
• Finding the 2018 carsales Car Of The Year 2018 - The full story
• carsales Car Of The Year 2018 - The nuts and bolts
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