German Car Zone

Sausalito, California – What you’re looking at here is the safest car Volvo has ever built, according to the Deputy Director of Volvo Cars Safety Centre, Thomas Broberg. “The XC60 is the safest Volvo so far, probably the safest car in the world,” he announced at the XC60’s North American media introduction near San Francisco earlier this week. That’s quite a claim given how safe Volvo’s vehicles already are, and how many other safe vehicles there are on the market. One thing is for sure: the new 2010 Volvo XC60 is loaded with active and passive safety features, some of which are exclusive.

But first the basics: on sale in Europe since last September, the new 2010 XC60 T6 arrives here in March with a starting price in the high $40s to low $50s – Canadian MSRPs have not yet been finalized. It will compete in the same compact luxury segment as the BMW X3, Audi Q5, Land Rover LR2, and Mercedes-Benz GLK.

Utilizing a new platform that borrows components from the S80, XC70 and V70, the XC60 is 20 cm shorter than the XC70 and slightly lower than the XC90. In Canada, there will be one powertrain choice: a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline transversely-mounted six-cylinder engine producing 281 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque that runs on Regular gas – this is a variant of the 3.2-litre engine currently available in the Volvo S80, V70, XC70 and XC90. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic “Geartronic” transmission – a manual transmission is not offered. All-wheel drive with Volvo’s Instant Traction system is also standard equipment.


Full Article: Canadian Driver - First Drive: 2010 Volvo XC60


Don't ask me why, but I really like this wagon/crossover thingy.


M

Merc1, I'm in the same boat...I like it as well and I'm pretty anti-SUV. But this car makes quite a bit of sense, it's utilitarian, yet looks expressive. It's uniquely luxurious but not pretentious. It's got enough power in T6 guise but it's not bludgeoning. I quite like the Scandanavian influence in the interior...different from the German and Japanese approach to luxury.

^ Yes, to build on the good points you've put forward, the XC60 shows that practicality and usefulness needn't be dull and boring. This is an attractive car that looks dynamic and desirable and still probably ends up being good to own and run in the long-term. It's a great family vehicle, stylish and modern with plenty of forecourt presence. It looks premium without being flashy. Good job, Volvo - really.