Membership has its privilege. Volvo's XC60 is part of the fastest growing fraternity of vehicles in North America; the compact five-door crossover.
It's been 90 years since the first mass-produced Volvo car rolled off a production line in Gothenburg, Sweden. The upscale Swedish brand rubs shoulders with larger European elitist brands (Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi) for access to a prestigious clientele.
Volvo's been actively pursued by eager suiters the past 20 years. Ford Motor Company persuaded the Swedish automaker to pledge its Premier Auto Group (including Jaguar, Land Rover and Austin Martin) from 1999 through 2009. Volvo then accepted an invitation and joined Geely, one of China's fastest-growing auto groups. From Latin, Volvo translates to "I Roll."
As with many of its preppy European rivals, Volvo vehicles utilize an alpha-numeric nomenclature to identify models; think of it as a lettermen's jacket for cars. Three alpha prefixes clue body structure: S equals sedan, XC designate crossover while V represents Versatility (think sleek, station wagon). The larger the divisible-by-10 numeric suffix, the more senior-size the vehicle.
Worldwide, Volvo sold 503,127 units in 2016, the first time surpassing the half-million milestone, representing an eight percent jump from the previous year. Sales in the U.S. totaled 82,724, up 18 percent with 20,452 of that represented by this week's tester, the XC60. The XC60 ranked as the second best-selling Volvo in the U.S. after the XC90, Volvo's largest crossover which underwent a next-gen makeover in the 2016 model year.
The larger XC90 introduced Volvo's highly anticipated 'Scalable Product Architecture' (SPA) in 2016. It's a modular chassis system allowing for production line flexibility Volvo spent four year developing.
The smaller 2017 XC60 is based on architecture introduced nine year ago. The 2018 model year welcomes a second-generation XC60, providing franchised Volvo dealers some incentive to move remaining 2017s.
The new SPA chassis adds a new dimension to Volvo's safety reputation. While seven percent of the current safety cage (where people sit) is crafted from 7 percent hot-formed Boron steel the new architecture utilizes over 40 percent hot-formed steel, translating to significantly more crash strength while not increasing vehicle weight.
About the same time Volvo announced SPA architecture, a commitment to four-cylinder engines was announced, paving the way for retirement of five-cylinder inline and V-6 powertrains.
The five-passenger 2017 XC60 delivers pampered and engaging road manners in a crowded luxury compact crossover segment. XC60's dimensions tilt towards the larger end of the spectrum, boding well for overall comfort with very responsive handling no matter the speed.
Two four cylinder engines are available in 2017. A secondary T5 suffix (XC60 T5) indicates a turbo charged four under hood delivering 240 horsepower. Our tester sported a T6 ending (XC60 T6) combining a turbocharging and supercharging, elevating horsepower to 302. Both engines mate to an eight-speed automatic transmission and are available in Dynamic and Inscription trim levels.
Turbo and super charging work to deliver greater air volumes into the engine for increased power results without added cylinders.
Think of a supercharger as adding power early in the process with the turbocharger stoking up toward the end of the cycle. In Volvo's case a belt connects a supercharger unit to the crankshaft, pushing more air into the engine as the unit spins. A supercharger is driven by the car's engine itself. A turbocharger runs off of recycled exhaust gases spinning a pinwheel-inspired turbine to pump air into the engine. Both powertrains require 91-octane premium fuel.
The crossover's generous ground clearance provides ease of entry and exiting. Volvo crossovers and wagons are built from uni-body car-like construction, not a body-on-frame structure. Recommend driving surfaces include pavement or light gravel. Not recommended: deep-woods off-roading.
Our all-wheel-drive T6 'Inscription' checked in with a $46,350 base price. Inscription models include center stack liner walnut wood inlay, advanced blind spot information system, automatic dimming outside mirrors and diamond cut alloy wheels.
Including all available factory option packages (Preferred, Climate, Advanced) and two single options- (Metallic paint, 20-inch wheels), the bottom line ended at $53,555 including $995 destination charge.
The lowest-price XC, a front-drive XC60 T5 starts at $40,950. For 2017, both trims add as standard fare: panoramic sunroof, backup camera feed, leather upholstery and blind spot warning.
Volvo also offers a low-volume, sport-oriented, single-spec R-Design (based on the T6 with 'Twin Charging') starting at $51,000. The R-Design moniker graces other high-volume Volvo vehicles. All-wheel drive remains a $2,000 option in the T5 designate while standard in T6.
Also standard is Volvo's 'start-stop' technology silencing the engine during prolonged stops to enhance fuel economy. Once drivers release the brake pedal, the engine reawakes.
Inside, electronic push start comes standard with the button elevated high enough on the dash as to not be directly impacted by the steering wheel.
An in-dash, comparatively diminutive multi-function, non-touch color screen adorns the center top dash. A smooth light brown wooden surface below swooshes down, curving along the bottom to connect up with the eight-speed automatic transmission shifter between the leather-appointed buckets. The wood itself gets framed with chrome-like piping. To the rear of the shifter, dual inline beverage holders with a closable sliding cover when can-free.
The wooden slope's center core resembles a touch-tone phone pad framed by an assortment of buttons controlling air conditioning and front/rear defrosters. The phone pad center doubles as audio pre-sets.
Flanking this square are four dials (two on each side) with the top duo interacting with the multifunction screen and the bottom pair controlling dual temperature settings.
The instrument panel's black background gets animated with white backlighting. The circular, center speedometer anchors the middle framed at the ends via half-moon fuel and temperature gauges.
The vertical floor hump divides the back into to orbs where two adults fit with optimal comfort; three in a pinch. If small ones are onboard, built-in child seats are available in outboard positions.
One of the more notable vertical tail light structures frames the lift gate window and door. Resembling a down-hill ski slalom adjoining a Swiss Chalet, the red tail lights flow north to south; quite distinctive when following. Dual, square-shaped inboard exhausts add to the clean flowing backside. T6 trims come with a standard power lift gate (optional in T5) and active dual Xenon headlights that swivel as the vehicle turns, providing increased illumination patterns.
Volvo, announced plans to open its first North American assembly facility about 30 miles northwest of Charleston, South Carolina, joining a growing fraternity of European assembly plants pledging a U.S. presence. The plant is expected up and running next year with the S60 sedan as its first recruit.
Price as tested: $53,555
Wheelbase: 109.2 inches
Length: 182.8 inches
Width: 83.5 inches
Height: 67.4 inches
Engine: 2.0-liter Twin Charged Four
Horsepower: 302
City/Highway Economy: 20 mpg city/ 27 mpg highway
Assembly: Ghent, Belgium
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