Volvo Auto India continues to offer all-new products from international markets as the latest XC60 is the sixth product introduced here in a very short span of time. The recently launched products have garnered good attention as XC90, S90 and V40 are doing well in terms of sales numbers. Hence, Volvo has the brought in the global best-seller XC60 in completely new avatar with modern technologies at mouth-watering price. There is no denying fact that this car will fetch good numbers as it is the best-selling model accounting for 30% of the company’s overall sales.
Unlike other international markets, the Volvo XC60 has been launched in just one fully loaded trim with one engine option that generates equal power to the flagship XC90 at 235 horsepower. So, how the new XC60 differentiates itself from the well established rivals like BMW X3, Audi Q5, Land Rover Discovery Sport, Jaguar F-Pace and Mercedes-Benz GLC?
We got the opportunity to drive the newest offering in Chennai and our review will answer all your queries below:
Also Read: Volvo V90 Cross Country Review: Adventure in Unique Style
Built on the same SPA platform (Scalable Product Architecture) as the XC90, the XC60 share almost every features, engine and some designing elements from the flagship model and we can say the XC60 is indeed a baby flagship!
From the front, the new XC60 gets the modern day Volvo’s signature design. Thor’s Hammer T-shaped LED DRLs now travel towards the grille from the headlamps. Comparing with the outgoing XC60, the new version gets horizontal slats while the fog lights are now placed on the either side of bumper’s bottom corners just like XC90. Chrome bezel just above the fog light seems to be S90 inspired.
So overall, the front is completely refreshed and the design language of Volvo can be identified in single glimpse. However, identifying the exact model might not be that easy if you’re not eagle-eyed enthusiast.
While on the side, the new XC60 gets all-new refreshing design but the angular taillamp and glass area looks similar to the outgoing model. However, the bright decorated side windows add more premiumness. The sharp creases and curves with sharp window line and 19-inch wheels with striking wheel arches express the car’s athletic forte.
Also Read: 2016 Volvo XC90 Road Test Review
At the rear, the vertical tail lamps flow into the tailgate and it gets horizontal split setup, just like recently launched V90 Cross Country. Rear bumper is inspired by the flagship XC90 with similar placement of reflectors and chrome-tipped parallelogram-ish exhaust.
So, Overall the new XC60 boasts several aggressive elements but its design language gives the car a simple, sophisticated and cool look. Comparing it with its rivals, the XC60’s elegant exterior delivers a strong visual statement with ‘Always Yes’ attitude.
On the inside, being a rival to the well-settled German trio (the BMW X3, Audi Q5 & Mercedes GLC) along with British Discovery Sport and Evoque, Volvo XC60 makes herself distinctive with the Swedish luxurious interior. All thanks to the good use of real wood, genuine metals, high quality materials and nice detailing all around.
Just like some exterior elements, interior and equipment too get shared with the XC90. It includes 12-inch vertical infotainment system, steering wheel and the Bowers & Wilkins music system with 15 speakers. Along with these, being the only top-of-the-line Inscription variant offered in India, the Volvo XC60 comes with numerous luxury, driver support and class leading safety features.
On luxury front, panoramic sunroof, interior lighting, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 4-zone electronic climate control, heated steering wheel and seats, laminated seat windows and nappa leather seating upholstery with massage function for both front seats are standard.
Also Read: 2016 Volvo S90 Review India – Luxury Redefined!
As for the driver assistance system, features like adaptive cruise control, pilot assist, lane keeping aid, 360’ camera, park assist pilot and graphical head up display help the driver a whole lot whether driving on highway, city roads or in narrow streets.
Regarding safety, the Volvo XC60 has been rated the safest car of 2017 by IIHS and earned five stars from Euro NCAP. It is equipped with Intellisafe with city safety that identifies pedestrians, animals, cyclists, bikers ahead of the car and it can brake automatically to avoid the collision even at night.
The SUV also comes with intelligent driver infotainment system, run-off road mitigation, blind support information with cross traffic alert, front & rear collision mitigation support along with SIPS airbags, inflatable curtains and front seats comes with whiplash protection.
So overall, the Volvo XC60 is equipped with the features of a stuffed level as almost all the equipment are top notch. On the comfort side of things, the XC60 gains with Air Suspension on all four wheels and it gives a very comfortable ride even on rough patches.
Like the other luxury Volvo’s, the XC60 seats is offered with orthopedic certified design and as I previously mentioned, nappa leather is the seating upholstery with massage function in both front seats and heating and ventilation function on all seats.
The best part is you can choose the interior colouring from amber, maroon brown and blond interiors while driftwood is the standard inlay for all three interior colour option. Bootspace is another plus factor in the XC60 as it offers ample volume.
It measures 505 litres to the window line, 635 litres to the roof and expands to up to 1,432 litres if the rear seats are fold down.
Engine & Performance:
Equipped with the same XC90’s AWD 1,969 cc D5 engine that generates 235 hp and 480 Nm of peak torque, the Volvo XC60 comes with Drive-E & Power Pulse technology. With Drive-E tech, the engine delivers on-demand power with low fuel consumption while Power Pulse technology activates turbocharger to give instant boost from standstill and at lower speeds.
The official figures for 0-100 and top speed is at 6.9 seconds and 220kmph respectively. Just like the flagship XC90, the XC60 is also equipped with eight-speed AT with five driving modes i.e Eco, Comfort, Dynamic, Off-Road mode and a custom driving mode in which you can adjust the power, steering response and ride height according to your preference.
In dynamic mode, the car’s body is lowered by 20 mm for better road handling whereas it can be upped by 20 mm in off-road mode for better ground clearance for pure fun. Driving the car in dynamic mode is fun as the car becomes very aggressive on just a roll of drive select roller.
This D5 engine is very smooth and refined as we already seen in XC90 and its punchy nature remains throughout the rev range. Being the diesel engine, the sound level is very low specially inside the cabin.
We took the car to the beach as well and the off-road mode did its duty very well without any stress. The Air Suspension works great in keeping the ride height constant of the car, however, you can clearly hear the sound of tyres passing through bumps inside the cabin in off-road mode. Driving on highway with cockpit inspired cabin and loads of advance technologies give a great confidence and good sense of safety.
In dynamic mode with 20mm lesser than normal ride height, it gives a sedan-ish riding feel on highway. The custom made Michelin tyres reduces the rolling noise inside the cabin. Fair amount of body roll is there on high speed cornering but overall XC60 offers a very relaxed ride.
Volvo XC60 Test Drive Conclusion:
So, should the Germans be worried? Our answer is yes they should and not only Germans, the british too! At the price point of Rs. 55.90 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Volvo XC60 directly rivals the top end of BMW X3, Audi Q5 Sports Edition, Mercedes GLC 300 along with Land Rover Discovery Sport and Evoque.
The XC60 also undercuts the Jaguar F-Pace by almost 5 lakh and offers better features and VFM package. So, with the class leading features on offer, Volvo already has a winner in their hand and don’t forget, it would not be without a reason that the XC60 is the best-selling Volvo contributing to almost one-third of its overall sales worldwide.
Vovlo XC60 Review Gallery:
