What's
New for 2011
For 2011, the Volvo XC60 adds a new
trim level: the 3.2 R-Design. The XC60 also gets a bit more horsepower, 5 hp
more for the 3.2-liter inline-6 and 19 hp more for the turbocharged inline-6.
Note that the XC60 also gets a new infotainment system for 2011.5; models
produced after November 2010 feature the same system seen in the Volvo S60.
Introduction
Volvo used to be known solely for
building vehicles that were ahead of the curve in the area of safety. These
days, the manufacturer's lineup stands out not just for safety features but
also for distinctive good looks and appealing performance. A perfect example is
the 2011 Volvo XC60.
Thanks to distinctive exterior
styling and a very modern cabin, the XC60 is one of the most stylish luxury
crossovers on the market. Of course, utility is a must for crossover SUV
shoppers, too, and the XC60 meets this need with its impressive cargo capacity.
We've found there's also ample room for passengers, and those in back get to
enjoy one of the most comfortable rear seats in the segment. There's even the
option of built-in child boosters.
Standard equipment is another XC60
advantage, with even base models coming equipped with Bluetooth, dual climate
control and satellite radio. Naturally the XC60 also expresses Volvo's emphasis
on safety. For example, the XC's list of standard equipment includes City
Safety, a system that engages at low speeds and can detect stopped or slowed
vehicles immediately ahead and automatically apply the XC's brakes to minimize
or avoid a collision.
Of course, there's no shortage of
worthy luxury compact crossovers to consider. For sportier handling, you could
check out the Audi Q5, the newly redesigned BMW X3 and the Infiniti EX35. The
Mercedes-Benz GLK350, meanwhile, will likely woo you with its universal,
Germanic competence. Still, we're quite fond of the 2011 Volvo XC60 -- it even
came out on top in a recent Edmunds comparison test. If you're shopping for a
luxury crossover, the XC60 should be high on your list.
Body
Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2011 Volvo XC60 small luxury
crossover is available in four trim levels: 3.2, 3.2 R-Design, T6 and T6
R-Design.
Standard equipment on the base 3.2
includes 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, a power driver seat with memory
functions, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, cruise control, Bluetooth,
steering-wheel audio controls and an eight-speaker sound system with a CD
player, satellite radio, HD radio, an auxiliary audio jack and an iPod/USB
audio interface. The XC60 T6 adds a turbocharged engine, all-wheel drive,
18-inch wheels, power passenger seat and leather upholstery.
The R-Design variants add 20-inch
wheels, adaptive xenon headlights, sport-tuned suspension and steering, a
panoramic sunroof, privacy glass and special styling elements inside and out.
A host of option packages are
available. The Premium package (3.2 only) adds the panoramic sunroof, privacy
glass and leather upholstery. The Multimedia package adds a 12-speaker Dynaudio
surround-sound audio system, a navigation system and a back-up camera.
Selecting the Climate package gets you heated front and rear outboard seats
(not available with the integrated booster-seat option), heated washer nozzles,
headlamp washers, rain-sensing wipers and an interior air quality system. The
Convenience package adds a power tailgate and parking sensors. Finally, the
Technology package adds adaptive cruise control, a driver attention alert
system, a collision warning system and a lane-departure warning system.
Stand-alone options include 18-inch
alloy wheels (3.2 only), adaptive xenon headlights, keyless ignition/entry,
blind-spot warning system, wood inlay for the center stack, a dual-screen rear
entertainment system and dual integrated rear booster seats.
Powertrains
and Performance
XC60 3.2 and 3.2 R-Design models are
powered by a 3.2-liter inline-6 that generates 240 horsepower and 236
pound-feet of torque. Volvo also offers a version of this engine that meets
squeaky-clean PZEV emissions certification; it's rated at 230 hp. Front-wheel
drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional.
The all-wheel-drive T6 and T6
R-Design models receive a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 engine rated at 300
hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. All XC60s feature a six-speed automatic with manual
shift control. In Edmunds testing, an XC60 equipped with last year's less
powerful T6 engine sprinted from zero to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds, which is a good
number for this segment. EPA fuel economy estimates are a solid 18 mpg city/25
mpg highway and 21 mpg combined for the XC60 3.2 FWD, while the T6 model drops
to a less-impressive 17/22/19.
Safety
Stability control, antilock brakes
with brake assist, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and
whiplash-reducing front seats are all standard on the 2011 Volvo XC60. Also
standard is City Safety, which can mitigate or avoid a low-speed frontal impact
by applying the vehicle's brakes without driver intervention. Hill-descent
control is standard on all-wheel-drive models. Other safety options include a
lane-departure warning system, a blind-spot warning system, a driver alert
system, a heartbeat monitor that can detect intruders inside the vehicle and a
collision warning/braking system.
In crash testing by the Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety, the XC60 was awarded the best rating of
"Good" in the frontal-offset, side and roof strength categories.
Interior
Design and Special Features
Volvo has been making an effort in
recent years to give its vehicles some interior flair, and the five-passenger
XC60 is the brand's best result yet. The thin-panel center stack -- which comes
with metallic trim as standard and real oak wood trim as an option -- combines
with the optional two-tone upholstery to make the XC60's cabin look upscale and
inviting.
Halfway through the model year, the
XC60 got a new infotainment system that brought with it updated navigation and
audio interfaces; the new infotainment system is the same one seen in the Volvo
S60. It's easy to find your way around the audio system, though the array of
small audio buttons is starting to look dated. The new DVD-based navigation
system thankfully does away with the complicated back-of-the-steering-wheel
controls seen on previous XC60s and adopts a more conventional dial-type
controller. In practice, this interface works fine, though Volvo's navigation
software still feels a few years behind the times.
The rear seat is particularly roomy
as small crossovers go, with a high seat cushion, above-average headroom and
decent legroom for adults. The available integrated child booster seat is a
great feature. To accommodate cargo, the versatile 40/20/40-split rear seat can
be folded in a number of different ways and maximum cargo space is a useful 67
cubic feet.
Driving
Impressions
The 2011 Volvo XC60's impressive
blend of performance and comfort should satisfy the majority of shoppers
looking for a small luxury crossover. The T6's turbocharged engine lacks the
aural excitement one might expect of an inline-6, but its smooth and energetic
power delivery make it the preferred XC60 engine. Models with the base
3.2-liter engine are noticeably slower.
On the highway, the XC60 is quiet and stable.
When driven aggressively around corners, there's a general sense that this
softly sprung chassis doesn't want to be pushed, even though it can be. The
payoff, not surprisingly, is a comfortable ride. One consequence of so many
safety systems is the frequent beep or warning that indicates one system or
another is working.
