Volvo XC60: One Handsome Swede

Continuing on our long term feature of the Volvo XC60 – you can view the first part here – from the outside, it’s a very intentional mixture of the old XC60 and the newer XC90.

Buyer feedback about the design of the old car remained very positive, even in its final year of production, Volvo tells us. As a result, the automaker didn’t want to mess too much with a winning formula.

Still, its clearly a sibling to Volvo’s largest SUV. The short overhangs are there, as are the distinctive Thor’s Hammer LED headlamps which now connect with the large, chromed grille. The latter is striped with convex bars, however, rather than concave as on the 90 Series cars. From the side, the resemblance to the old XC60 is most clear, courtesy of the shape of the side glass. However, the hips of the car are exaggerated for a more purposeful stance at the rear, while the vertical taillights now extend down into horizontal sections.

It may be a smaller car than the XC90, but it’s based on the same core technology. Volvo’s SPA platform- which also underpins the S90 and V90 – only has a single fixed ratio, that of the dashboard to the front axle; everything else can be adjusted. That allows the new XC60 to be lower, wider, and longer than the old car, with a welcoming 38-inches of rear legroom and 3.9 cubic metres of cargo space.

Recap: All Of The Tech In The Volvo XC60

Volvo also designed SPA with electrification in mind. Indeed, all of the turbocharged T5, turbo and supercharged T6, and T8 Twin Engine hybrid engines from the XC90 are carried over to the 2018 XC60. For the first model year, all XC60 variants will be all-wheel drive. Volvo could make a 2WD model, I’m told, but it hasn’t decided yet whether it will.

Regardless of witch engine variant you go for, there are three trim levels offered. Momentum is the entry-level and likely to be the most popular, packing leather seats, LED headlamps, and a panoramic glass roof. fork out a little bit more and you get our review model R-Design, a sportier version which most notably adds paddle-shifters and different wheels. Finally, the top-spec Inscription carries a heavty premium over the Momentum, with niceties like 4-zone climate control, a 12.3-inch driver display replacing analog instrumentation, and a cooled glovebox to keep your gloves frosty.

Images by Tshego Mmahlatji (@harmonixEnt)

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Papi Mabele

Papi Mabele has a marketing background, he is a digital marketing expert with extensive experience in launching and building global brands in the emerging markets. Papi is also an avid tech writer, enthusiast and all round tech junkie. As a freelance writer and analyst he has been numerously published in Popular Mechanics (SA), GQ South Africa, Premier Magazine, Driven Magazine, Bloem News, Courant, The Weekly, Enthooze Magazine and PiE magazine amongst others.