Volvo XC60 T5 2011 Review

Volvo's midsized SUV ticks a lot of boxes with excellent interior convenience and a distinctive exterior design

Volvo XC60 T5
Road Test

Price Guide (recommended price before statutory and delivery charges): $54,990
Options fitted to test car (not included in above price): GPS satellite navigation $4,175
Crash rating: Five-Star
Fuel: 95 RON ULP
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 8.7
CO2 emissions (g/km): 207
Also consider: Volkswagen Tiguan, BMW X3, Audi Q5, Subaru Forester S

When did Volvo start making attractive cars? That's a rhetorical question, because we all know it started in the early 1980s with the boxy Volvo 245. What a beauty.

Nonetheless, there's something to be said of the current crop of Swedish cars which have ditched the oblong shape of their predecessors for a level of design that better represents the innovative DNA of their country of origin.

Having spent a week driving (and casually admiring) Volvo’s XC60 we reckon its arguably the most handsome vehicle in company’s range, and whether by virtue of its age or design input, it's also one of the best looking vehicles in its segment.

Take a brisk walk around the entry-level front-wheel drive Volvo XC60 T5 petrol, priced at a keen $54,990, and you'll notice clean lines, gentle curves, modern styling cues and plenty of LEDs front and rear -- mandatory for any self-respecting European car these days.

Volvo's SUV is not as attention grabbing as a Ferrari 458 Italia, but I did notice the odd driver admiring its svelte flanks during a week's worth of commuting. A lot of people buy cars based on looks and if this is one of your main criteria the XC60 will warrant a very close inspection.

When you step inside the ultra-safe family softroader there's an impressive amount of space. My 185cm frame took up a bit of room in the comfy driver's seat yet there was still enough room behind me for an adult passenger. Legroom would get a little tight for taller rear seat passengers but in the grand scheme of things the Volvo is a very spacious vehicle.

It's a cleverly designed vehicle in a number ways too, or perhaps pragmatic is a better adjective? Door openings are large and despite its raised ride height ingress and egress are straightforward. The tailgate is also very wide and power-operated in all 2012 models which is a great convenience feature. Combine that with a flat boot floor and you'll find loading and unloading goods to be effortless.

The rear seats feature a three-way splitfold setup (40:20:40) which improves the Volvo XC60's ability to swallow odd-shaped cargo (Ikea is no longer your enemy with this vehicle) while retaining its passenger carrying functionality.

Measured to seat-top level, the boot has a 490-litre capacity which is about the same space you get in a large sedan. Yet SUV proportions sees the XC60's measure just 3cm longer than the Holden’s Cruze sedan -- ostensibly a 'small' car.

The XC60 is a capable highway cruiser but can also withstand the rigours of city living and isn't too difficult to park thanks to a reversing camera and park sensors. Indeed, all 2012 model XC60s now come with a reversing camera as standard and it's one of the best in the business, complete with surprisingly useful 3D overlays. Reversing the car into tight areas is much easier as a result, a bit like using a simple aeroplane simulator complete with guidance rings to fly through in order to reach your destination.

Ergonomics are generally good. Most controls are where you'd expect them to be but the numeric keypad on ultra-thin 'floating' centre stack makes things look a touch busy. Indeed, this area of the cabin has the propensity to bewilder the driver at first. And really, how many people use the phone keypad? Leave a comment below at your peril...

Everything else is very well thought through. The steering wheel buttons and stalk controls are large and clearly labelled, which makes the decor look a little dated if you contemplate them for too long. But in terms of practicality it's an excellent solution, because you rarely hit the wrong button.

The instrument dials are very sporty, two large circular analogue dials (engine and road speeds) within which live LCD displays listing trip computer data, such as distance travelled, average fuel economy and outside temperature.

Other standard features include cruise control, a tilt and reach adjustable steering rack, an eight-speaker CD stereo with MP3/WMA decoding, two audio inputs (aux and USB) for portable devices like iPods, leather steering wheel and gearshifter, climate controlled air-conditioning complete with a pollen filter and electric windows and mirrors too.

Light/rain sensing automatic headlights/windscreen wipers allow you focus on the road rather than the controls and there's storage cubbies galore (including several beverage holders) so you can store everything from garage plippers and Nintendo handhelds to priceless He-Man/She-Ra action figurines and fashion magazines. Roof rails are also standard, as are 17-inch alloy wheels

Being a Volvo it goes without saying how seriously the Swedes take safety. On top of the usual life-saving features (head rests and lap-sash seat belts for all, six airbags, plus side impact and whiplash protection) the car is all about keeping the driver in control. Electronic aids such as dynamic stability control, rollover stability and traction control and crash avoidance with autonomous braking are designed to keep you out of trouble.

There's also anti lock brakes and electronic brakeforce distribution and a Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) is available as a $1275 option.

Power comes from a gutsy 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine that churns out a useful 177kW/320Nm ensuring the savvy Swede is one of the more potent entry-level prestige SUVs in its class.

The GDI turbocharged unit is similar to the engine that will eventually power the four-cylinder Ford Falcon EcoBoost (and Mondeo et al) and it's a pearler. Capable of accelerating strongly from low revs, the direct-injection motor pulls the car from 0-100km/h in 8.1 seconds. Relatively rapid for an SUV...

Despite its pace, the Volvo XC60 T5 is still frugal, using an average of 8.7L/100km, while CO2 output is 207g/km. The Swedish SUV has a 67-litre fuel tank but is a fuel snob and will only drink premium (95 RON) or performance fuel blends.

With more than 300Nm of torque available at a low 1800rpm, this family troop transporter can also tow a trailer weighing up to 1800kg braked, or 750kg unbraked. It's nice having the option to take the dirt bike as well as the pushbike on holiday.

The transmission is just as advanced -- a dual-clutch six-speed 'Powershift' unit that when left to its own devices does a fairly decent job when driven smoothly and predictably. While I love the engine, I did find the gearbox a little staccato in response to full throttle. It tended to ponder and think for a few moments before making up its mind, but this was the only scenario it occurred.

If Volvo's six-speed Powershift automatic gearbox isn't as lightning fast to change gears as Volkswagen's equivalent DSG six-speed transmission, it is smoother and I think that counts for more in terms of everyday drivability.

And that's where the XC60 does its best work, in everyday driving situations. The steering is quick and the suspension is neither too firm nor too soft. You always feel in control when turning through corners but won't feel every bump and lump in the road.

While the top shelf models in Volvo XC60 range have the kind of technology and luxury to rival vehicles such as the BMW X3 and Audi Q5, this particular entry-level model also straddles lower marques due to its price, Volkswagen's Tiguan and to a lesser extent Subaru's top of the line Forester.

Overall, I really liked driving this SUV. At first I was disappointed by the gearbox but the relationship improved and most other aspects of the way the Volvo XC60 goes about its business are admirable. It's well priced, easy to handle and spacious and comes with a three-year warranty and three-year's roadside assistance.

With more equipment on the 2012 model range, this particular entry-level XC60 feels more like a top-shelf model. We reckon it’s well worth investing the time in a test drive if you're in the market for a safe and stylish SUV.

Volvo XC60 T5 2011 Review

Tags