2010 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD: An Upscale Crossover

What's New About the 2010 Volvo XC60:

This is Volvo’s first crossover. While the European automaker has moved away from its traditional boxy-look to a sleeker more curvaceous design, its grille, with the side crossbar, is still uniquely a Volvo. Like all Volvos, the all-new XC60 crossover is equipped with the latest safety and technology applications.
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Must Have Goodies:
If you’re buying a Volvo, it’s strongly recommended that you opt for the cool-looking panoramic roof and the $2,700 Multimedia package, which consist of a 650-watt 12-speaker premium Dynaudio Premium Sound System with the Dolby Pro Logic II Surround System, a navigational system with a rear back up camera and a hand held remote control for the navigational system. And, it’s worth investing $1,700 in Volvo’s Technology Package, which includes an adaptive cruise control, a collision warning system with an automatic braking system, a distance alert system and a lane departure warning system. All of these safety elements combined virtually eliminates the chance of a major accident.

Furthermore, if you’re still carrying small kids around, Volvo provides dual integrated built-in booster seats, which can be easily transformed to adult seats, within a matter of seconds. We also like the swoopy-designed modern interior layout equipped with the two-tone heated leather orthopedic sculpted front seats.

What Rocked:
The five seater people mover is loaded with the latest safety and technological applications. Not only is the vehicle stylishly designed, but its extremely comfortable ride and handling with the 18-inch alloy wheels puts the XC60 on par with most premium-class luxury cars. From the adaptive cruise control to the lane departure warning system to Volvo’s industry exclusive City Safety feature, which applies the brakes automatically to help reduce low-speed collisions when driving in city traffic, these safety features make the XC60 rock.

What We Hated:
Unlike some vehicles, this crossover is loaded with so many features you must allocate extra time to have a well-qualified sales person demonstrate how to drive the vehicle. However, the time invested in learning the vehicle allows the driver to take advantage of every feature and fully appreciate the vehicle. Beyond learning the vehicle, Volvo should consider adding audible back up sensors and chimes to the rearview camera. This could serve as an additional safety guard. And too bad this vehicle is only available as an all-wheel-drive. A non all-wheel-drive vehicle could help to lower the cost and improve the fuel economy.

Any Juice:
The XC60 is only equipped with a 3.0-liter, 6-cylinder engine – producing 281 horses under the hood.

Verdict:
While Ford Motor Company has cut ties with Aston Martin, Jaguar and Land Rover, Volvo is the only import brand which remains in its portfolio. With its smooth ride, great handling abilities and utilitarian space, the all-new XC60 continues to be a trendsetter in the crowded crossover segment. Pricing for the XC60 starts out at $38,000 and can easily climb to $47,000 when fully optioned. The XC60 T6 AWD we reviewed had a suggested retail price of $44,240. Like BMW and VW, Volvo also provides complimentary maintenance on all of their vehicles for 3 years or 36,000 miles. If you can afford to step up to Volvo’s Technology Package, it could help save your life or possibly minimize the chance of having a major accident.

Other Competitors: 2009 Acura’s RDX, 2010 Caddy’s SRX (coming soon), 2010 Mercedes-Benz’s GLK and 2009 Lexus’ RX 350