FIRSTDRIVE VOLVO XC60:Despite its timing Volvo delivers on both safety and style with its new compact SUV says Paddy Comyn
ASK ANY SUV owner and they will tell you that the primary reason for choosing to buy an SUV is that they feel that bit safer behind the wheel and they believe that feeling of being up high gives their family a better chance in a collision.
When it comes to the safety of their kids, parents often take the view that it is best to surround them with the largest amount of metal as possible and who can blame them.
However, we must remember that SUVs are supposed to be frowned upon because they are generally thought to be the cause of the world's pollution probelms and since we are all in the grip of a recession it will be in poor taste to be seen to be splashing out on a one, right?
Well that might be right if we didn't believe that you should really sit up and pay attention to the new XC60.
You might think that Volvo's timing in bringing out yet another SUV might be a little off, but you have to look at Volvo's image in this sector. The XC90, which has been around since 2002 has seemed to get away with being a vast, seven-seat large SUV. It appeared to escape the sort of anger reserved for owners of Range Rovers and BMW X5s, despite costing similar money. Perhaps many owners really did need its seven seats or perhaps the fact that it was a Volvo implied that its owner had a conscience.
Now, following on from the success of the XC90, and with Land Rover now no longer part of the Ford family, it has been left to Volvo to provide the compact premium SUV offering. The XC60 will compete head-on with the Land Rover Freelander and BMW X3.
Visually, you will know straight away that this is a Volvo SUV, with the design featuring much of the same flavour as the larger XC90. The XC60 is based on a smaller platform and features Volvo's new "face", which they say is bolder and more aggressive than before. The days of Volvos being designed using rulers is long gone and the XC60 is a very good-looking off-road vehicle. There are some really clever design touches including the sculpted rear lights.
Space is for five rather than seven, but there is enough leg and headroom for all occupants. Safety is a big deal in any Volvo, but the XC60 is the safest car they have made. Amongst the plethora of safety features includes "City Safety" - a feature that helps the driver to avoid or reduce the low-speed impacts that are common in city traffic and tailbacks. Simply put, if the car is about to drive into the vehicle in front of it and the driver does not react, the car brakes itself.
A row of red lights just below the driver's eye-line alerts them of the imminent danger. The flashing and beeping can prove to be irritating, but then again so is crashing.
The ride and handling of the XC60 are really very good. We tried the larger of the two diesel engines on some twisty Scandinavian roads and found both the engine and the SUV's handling ability seriously impressive. The steering does have that Volvo trait of lacking feel, but the XC60 is easy to pilot and soaks up bumps without fuss.
There are three engines in some markets, but in Ireland Volvo will bank on the two five-cylinder turbodiesels: the D5 producing 185bhp and the 2.4-litre D with 163bhp.
The CO2 emissions for the manual versions are 199g/km and are 219g/km for the Geartronic versions - so that means Band F, 32 per cent VRT and €1,000 in road tax.
All versions come with All Wheel Drive but during 2009, a front-wheel drive 2.4-litre diesel version with 175bhp and a CO2 figure of 170g/km (Band D) will become available. That will mean only €430 road tax and a cheaper purchase price.
There are three specifications on offer. The 'S' specification offers 17" alloys, cloth upholstery, "City Safety" and cruise control as well as many other items, with SE adding leather upholstery, rain sensing wipers, auto-dimming mirrors, a grocery bag holder, power folding door mirrors and hill descent control. The SE Lux model gains heated front seats, a powered driver seat, Nordic oak inlays, active bending lights and rear park assist.
A starting price of below €50,000 is not bad for what feels like a thoroughbred SUV. However, it can cost you up to €60,000 as you go up the range and remember that the Freelander starts at €38,960, you can have a BMW X3 from €57,538 and a 170bhp 2.0-litre diesel Volkswagen Tiguan can be yours for just €42,285.
The XC60 goes on sale in Ireland next month.
FACTFILE Volvo XC60 2.4 D S
Engine:2400cc, 5-cyl-turbo diesel
Peak power:163bhp at 4,000rpm
Peak torque:340Nm at 1,750rpm - 2,750rpm
Transmission:Six-speed manual 'box, all-wheel-drive
Performance:0-100km/h in 10.5 seconds
Top speed:195km/h
Emissions:199 CO2 g/km (Band F)
Road Tax:€1,000
Combined cycle fuel economy:7.5 litres/100km
Price:€49,950 (estimate) On sale October
Other versions available
2.4 D S Geartronic - €52,510
D5 S - €51,950
D5 S - Geartronic €54,510
2.4 D SE - €53,050
2.4 D SE Geartronic - €55,610
D5 SE - €55,050
D5 SE Geartronic - €57,610
2.4D SE Lux - €56,100
2.4D SEW Lux Geartronic - €58,660
D5 SE Lux - €58,100
D5 SE Lux Geartronic - €60,660