![]() Rounding out the XC60 is the availability and effectiveness of the various driver assistance and safety systems. The suspension is uniquely tuned for this R-Design model, but it’s a far cry from the buttoned-down and distinctly sporty feel that the BMW has. Picking and choosing individual settings can help make the car settle into something reasonable and natural feeling. Changing the drive modes helps a bit, but not entirely. It’s numb, and artificial feeling, providing an unconnected, digital feel that is too loose for our preferences. Hurting the Volvo’s enjoyment factor is the steering setup, which is laughably light. A few too many rough gear changes were noticed, and we were wondering if the car was in its more aggressive “dynamic” mode when it was in the supposed “comfort” setting. The way that Volvo engineered this 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine to provide that much power in such a refined way is noteworthy, but we found the transmission to be a clumsy dance partner. The 316-horsepower twin-charged engine is smooth and quiet (traits that a few AutoGuide “editors” deemed boring and drab,) and provides it’s 295 lb-ft of torque in a very linear manner. It’s a lovely place to be, but a few parts of the Volvo could do with some tuning, specifically in terms of how it drives. Rear seat occupants will find more legroom in the Volvo than the BMW, and with the seats in place, the Volvo has an extra cubic foot of storage in the trunk compared to the X3. There’s a ton of space for passengers and all their stuff. The car also packs heated seats all around, a heated steering wheel and four-zone climate control. I’d recommend the Bowers and Wilkins sound system, which is a bit pricey, but oh so special sounding while also providing sleek looking speaker grilles that add some much-needed personality to the cabin. ![]() The cabin is feature-filled, although not in the same way as the BMW. ![]() ![]() That, along with the head-up display, means that the Volvo is always showing you vital information, and that seems like a good situation to be in, as long as you don’t get overwhelmed with all that data! Instead, I found the 12.3-inch digital dash to be easy to read and very useful, showing even map and navigation information with ease. Instead, most of the interactions with the car involve the 9-inch touchscreen, which is bright and attractive, although clunky to use at times thanks to a few too many nested menus and small text. Minimalist Cabin is Feature FilledĪnd the few buttons that are in the cabin are tactile and feel well built. It’s clear that another trim level of the XC60 would be a better representation of the vehicle. Personally, I like the crafted feel of the leather seats and steering wheel. Volvo says that this is part of the “driver focused” mantra of the R-Design. Yes, the seats are soft and comfortable, but the dark theme doesn’t showcase the XC60’s typically stunning interior. Instead, it has dark black leather seating and sterile metal accents. The R-Design model doesn’t have this kind of catwalk of fashion-forward interior design. In different trim levels, the XC60 boasts a beautiful cabin, with light, creamy materials and wood trim that looks plucked from the George Clooney of trees. Typically, the same goes for the interior. The XC60 is hard to miss, but also easy on the eyes, a tough balancing act in this world of over-sized grilles, wild angles and faux, four-door “coupes.” It always fits in while looking like a star. Those all accent a really attractive looking car. Matte silver mirror caps are a huge tell, as are the big 19-inch wheels, bumper integrated tailpipes, and dark tinted grille. We have it in the sporty R-Design guise and there are a few details that give it away as such, beyond the badges. It may just look like another BMW utility vehicle, but underneath it’s got a lot more going for it.īut the XC60 is no slouch. It’s spacious, high-tech and promises to be something more than just an appliance in the M40i trim that we have on hand for testing. The BMW X3 has been around for a few years and offers a very accessible BMW luxury experience. But to see how it really stacks up, we brought along a long-time top pick in the segment, the BMW X3. It was also a strong contender in our own utility vehicle of the year award. It’s won a bunch of awards, including the World Car of the Year and the North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The XC60 is the more mainstream effort entering a popular segment that’s full of some of the best cars in the industry. Volvo has been on top of the world (literally, as the brand’s HQ in Gothenburg is the furthest North of all automakers) delivering attractive cars that are fuel efficient, safe and stunning to look at.
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