Nuts and Bolts: 2015.5 Volvo XC60
Bottom line: Note to Volvo and other high-end automobile manufacturers: You are going to have to start offering a lot more than “prestige” and “intangible quality.” Rapid technological progress is superseding those old notions of luxury.
Head-turning quotient: It remains attractive. But it is aging in comparison with quick, attractive, innovative turnover in body styles by companies such as Hyundai and Kia.
Ride, acceleration and handling: Decent marks in all three, nothing spectacular.
Body style/layout: The 2015.5 Volvo XC60 T6 is a compact, entry-level luxury crossover/wagon sold with front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive. You have to be careful when shopping this model line. Volvo is trying to improve fuel economy while holding on to its high-end image. Thus, the company is offering a new series of turbocharged 2-liter gasoline engines alongside some older 3-liter sixes. Also, Volvo’s options packages can be confusing. Shop carefully.
Engine/transmission: It comes standard with a 3-liter, turbocharged, inline six-cylinder, 24-valve gasoline engine with variable valve timing. The engine is linked to a six-speed automatic transmission that also can be operated manually.
Capacities: Seating is for five people. Maximum cargo capacity is 67.4 cubic feet. The fuel tank holds 18.5 gallons of gasoline. Premium grade is recommended for best performance.
Mileage: I averaged 22 miles per gallon in highway travel – not impressive.
Safety: Standard equipment includes front and rear ventilated disc brakes; four-wheel anti-lock brake protection; emergency braking assistance; and stability control.
Recommended: All advanced electronic safety items such as blind-side monitoring, forward-collision warning and lane-departure warning. They can be costly, but can save a heck of a lot more than money.
Pricing: The 2015.5 Volvo XC60 T6 all-wheel-drive crossover/wagon starts at $42,400, with an estimated dealer’s invoice price of $40,000. Price as tested is $52,225, including $8,900 in options (advanced electronic safety features and other items) and a $925 factory-to-dealer shipment charge. Estimated dealer’s price as tested is $49,000.
— Warren Brown
