2018 Volvo Xc60 T6 R Design Polestar Review
SUV Review: 2018 Volvo XC60 R-Pattern
Stunning SUV offers skilful ability and a costly (if not exciting) ride
David Berth: Despite all the headlines that the XC90 generates — Volvo's most profitable export ever is ane that specially stands out — this is Volvo'south superlative global seller, the one-size-smaller, significantly cheaper and quite a scrap cuter XC60. 120 millimetres shorter than its bigger brother, the XC60 is likewise 90-mm bigger than its predecessor. It'south as well more than expensive, amend equipped and sportier thank you to the aforementioned bones powertrains every bit the heavier XC90, all attributes which, Volvo hopes, will proceed it at the front end of the luxury sport-beautiful segment.
The most important discussion in that last paragraph, however, may be "cute," as in the new Volvo is more attractive than BMW's slab-sided X3, more graceful than Lexus's RX350 and, truth be told, a whole bunch tidier than Mercedes GLC. Indeed, the XC60 is neck-in-neck with Jaguar's F-Footstep as contender for ranking equally cutest sport cute. Considering the huge success Jag's first SUV has been for Coventry, Volvo is no doubt banking on the same halo issue from the XC.
Peter Bleakney: You're right about the cute part. Actually, I'd say expressionless sexy, baby, here in R-Design guise with $900 Bursting Blue paint and on $1,000 21-inch alloys (19s are standard). While taking photos of it at the Toronto Center for the Arts, a millennial dude strolled upward and blurted, "What kind of car is that? Information technology's a work of fine art!" I pointed out the "Thor's Hammer" LED headlight characteristic and he thought that was off the charts. So yes, pattern is a big element of the XC60'southward entreatment. Same with the cabin – there'southward a simple, elegant Nordic aesthetic going on hither, and the materials and execution are top shelf. Although, with an as-tested price of $68,400 (base $55,450 for the R-Design), this fully kitted tester better exist impressive.
Thing is, the R-Design'southward visuals accept written a check the chassis can't cash. As far as dynamic acumen goes, the XC60 is really more cruiser than crusher. A Jag F-Pace, Porsche Macan and BMW X3 volition rise to the occasion on a twisty back road. This XC60 R-Design, even with its standard Sport Chassis, never really gels – numb steering directing a chassis that can't observe its groove. Information technology own't no Swedish Dancing Queen. Although, I suppose nosotros could say all that doesn't really account for a hill of beans when it comes to the average premium CUV heir-apparent. What does thing is ride quality.
DB: Spot on, Peter, but I recollect the reason that it is a scrap of a cush-mobile is that the previous generation elicited complaints of a buckboard ride. Erring on the side of squishiness, Volvo is probably targeting Audi'due south clientele rather than Porsche'southward. Of grade, that only leaves open the possibility of a Polestar version. With all the hoopla surrounding the electrification of the Polestar brand, it's easy to forget that Volvo's in-house tuning brand is still going to exist upgrading Volvo'southward traditional powertrains. So imagine the same vehicle with firmer suspenders and, more than chiefly in my view, that 367 horsepower version of Volvo'southward semi-manic super- and turbocharged 2.0-litre four.
Lead: Truthful enough. I'g sure Polestar could plough the XC60 into a whole whack of fun. Look what they did with Volvo's V60 sport railroad vehicle – that matter is a truly sorted terror. Ah, just we digress. Yolanda Yoga wants to know if this new Volvo will goose egg her to Yorkdale Mall with the comfort and cachet of a Mercedes, BMW or Audi. She certainly will honey the suede sport seats in this R-Design – they hug you like your auntie on Christmas. Volvo's big portrait-oriented bear upon screen is pretty slick also, what with all the bully pinch and swipe functions, but still, with everybody crying "Distracted driving!", I find accessing most things like HVAC and radio functions to require style likewise many distracting prods on the screen. Requite me some good sometime-fashioned radio preset buttons and rotary HVAC controls any day. Or is this merely rampant old-fartism? Help me out, David.
DB: Y'all really are onetime, aren't y'all! You have spent too much time playing those old Anne Murray tunes. Now, granted I'1000 with yous on the radio presets, but I was just about to say before I broke for my final annotate, that my favourite upgrade is Volvo'due south new Sensus infotainment interface. I love the vertical format, I love swiping right for dissimilar functions and, my favourite part, is that choosing from all those — how many are there, like 160 plus? — Sirius radio stations is a doodle with Volvo's new system. Compared with Audi's where you have to highlight each specific channel — like '80s on 8 — to run into what's playing, Volvo displays them all at once. Owning a Volvo means never having to heed to Snowbird over again.
PB: Oooooh. Zing! I'll take you know we rocked pretty hard with Anne. One night the whole band stayed up 'til 11:xxx and drank a complete six-pack. And speaking of rocking, that $3,250 Bowers and Wilkins Premium Audio kicks proverbial arse. I would definitely tick that box. In fact, looking at the spec canvass of this tester, you lot'd exist doing a lot of box ticking to go all the goods. We know Volvo is legendary when it comes to safety, but they're request you lot to pay extra for a expert chunk of it. Yeah, lane divergence warning and Urban center Safety with collision mitigation (detects pedestrians, cyclist and large animals) are standard issue. Just you're ponying up for blind spot detection with cross traffic alert, adaptive prowl, active lane keeping aid, head upward display and heated wiper blades, all being part of cleverly configured packages. Volvo also asks extra Kroner for a heated steering wheel, a feature which in my books is the best thing since beer in a tin. Now Dave, I know you are used to driving Ferraris, McLarens and Lambos, but what practice you make of Volvo using just a 2.0L four-cylinder for all its applications? And I gotta admit, the twin-charging here (both supercharged and turbocharged) is some pretty cool geeky stuff, and it does booty with conviction.
DB: I retrieve it is absolutely primal to the company's recent success for two reasons. One, it is a slap-up motor. In Polestar form it is absolutely stonking. Even in pedestrian form, it nonetheless mimics the performance of a stout V6 and doesn't audio thrashy either.
More than importantly, it makes business sense to develop only one (plush) internal combustion engine compages. From in that location. they add together a turbocharger, super and turbocharger or super and turbocharger mated to a hybrid electric motor. And diesel fuel. This is absolutely brilliant for a machine company with express R & D resource and lets them offer power outputs alike to other automakers' iv, six and eight cylinder powertrains with one simple engine. Information technology also lets Volvo make that "every engine will be electrified by 2019" claim since they simply apply, well, one engine. Brilliant
Atomic number 82: And we must give a nod to Chinese possessor Geely for its hands-off approach. They supply the funds and permit the Swedes do what they do all-time. Like to what Tata does with Jaguar/Land Rover. The biggest claiming for Volvo now is market perception. Gotta ditch the conservative dog-toting, sweater-wearing family unit wagon image and nurture this cool, premium upscale Nordic thing. The product is there, near. Maybe rent some German chassis guru to sort out the rough edges. Like Hyundai did with Albert Biermann of BMW M division.
DB: Agree with the chassis guru, PB, but not with the whole perception thing. I call up they need to stay kinda quirky. Indeed, I think it would be the decease of Volvo if they became just some other me-too-BMW that the unabridged luxury segment is heading towards. Volvo desperately needs to stand out with unique engineering (the picayune super and turbo'ed four), dramatic statements (all electrified past 2019) and styling. Whatever more than svelte and gazelle-like and the XC60 would exist an X3. Permit Volvo be Volvo, dammit Pete! To paraphrase a song from your own ensemble list, "the unborn grass does not lie waiting." Trying to re-create the Germans would definitely be "untrue."
PB: Rock on Dave.
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Source: https://driving.ca/volvo/xc60/reviews/road-test/suv-review-2018-volvo-xc60-r-design
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