Volvo XC60

Expert Rating:

Introduction

According to Volvo, the XC60 is the offspring of a meeting between a coupé and an SUV - two genres that sound like uncomfortable bedfellows, but which have mated on this occasion to create a very distinctive 4x4.

Obviously, it's nothing like a coupé really, but think of it as a sporty alternative to the Land Rover Freelander and you're about right. And because it's a Volvo, you can barely move for safety equipment. Sounds like a winner, yes?

What are its rivals?

As mentioned, Volvo likes to think that it has carved out a unique niche for itself. It hasn't - it's made a nice-looking medium-sized SUV (though these things are relative - it's still pretty massive). And because Volvo is a sort of just-below-premium brand - a bit like Swedish compatriot Saab - the XC60 battles with small premium SUVs like the BMW X3 and Audi Q5, but does so at a lower price (in the UK at least), offering more equipment for less. That's one of the things that make it so compelling.

Of course, think about one of these and you'll be considering a Freelander too, which acts as its main rival in terms of price and prestige - though the Land Rover is a proper off-road expert, whereas the XC60 has rough stuff as its secondary purpose.

How does it drive?

It's the driving experience that makes the XC60 so compelling, because it's both a hugely composed and comfortable cruiser and a reasonably entertaining handler at the same time. You could expect the former quality from a premium SUV, but perhaps not the latter. Because of the huge range of adjustment, finding a good driving position is easy, and the suspension setup resists body roll, while remaining soft and compliant enough to smooth over even the harshest of road surfaces. There's loads of grip around the corners and although it's not a car you'll buy to chuck around like a hot hatch, it's easily among the most involving driving experiences you can have in an SUV.

Yet it's also a spacious, accommodating family car, with plenty of leg and headroom front and back and a boot big enough to cope with whatever parents and children throw into it. It's also full of safety kit, some of it very useful (like a mountain of airbags and a blind spot warning system that tells you when something's lurking in there), and some of it not so useful (like the lane departure warning system, which we found to be more of an annoyance). The Volvo will also detect if you're about to have a low speed crash and apply the brakes for you.

What's impressive?

The XC60 in no way actually crosses a coupé with a SUV, but it does have some coupé-like qualities, like being good to look at and good to drive (for a 4x4). You can make your own mind up on the looks, but it's certainly one of the least boxy SUVs you'll see. In the cabin, Volvo's 'floating' centre console makes a return, which means it's familiar Swedish fare inside - not daring at all, but well made, intuitively laid out and comfortable. Our SE spec test car was furnished with thousands of pounds worth of options, adding to its premium feel, but even without things like a surround sound stereo and leather upholstery it will still feel upmarket.

What's not?

The D5 diesel engine, which generates 183bhp and 295lb.ft of pulling power, is a disappointment. It sounds lovely and growly near the top of the rev range, but below 2,000rpm it's completely flat, which means you have to use the six-speed manual gearbox more than you'd like to. It's economical, returning 37.7mpg combined - and if you're careful you'll attain that figure - but the temptation is to thrash the engine to make the most of its power, in which case economy will suffer. It's still the engine we'd go for, but you're left feeling the XC60 deserves a better oil burner with more low down shove.

Should I buy one?

It isn't cheap, but compared to other premium products it's certainly reasonably priced, with a good amount of standard kit even in base S spec and loads of safety equipment as standard. The range kicks off at £24,250 for a 2.4-litre diesel S version, which is a lot of car for the money, although predictably it's very easy to option up your XC60 into a hugely expensive toy.

To its credit, Volvo has recognised that the XC60 will very rarely venture off-road and so has biased it towards the school run. It's surprisingly fun to drive, but it's also an extremely safe, spacious, comfortable and flexible family car, with very little to criticise.

Mark Nichol