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2015 Car Review - 2015 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD By John Heilig


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2015 Volvo XC60

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THE AUTO PAGE
By John Heilig, Senior Editor
Mid-Atlantic Bureau
The Auto Chnanel

2015 Volvo XC60 Review

Model: 2015 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD


Engine: 3,0-liter turbocharged 6
Horsepower/Torque: 300 hp @ 5,600 rpm/325 lb.-ft. @ 2,100 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters
Wheelbase: 109.2 in.
Length x Width x Height: 182.8 x 74.4 x 67.4 in.
Tires: P225/60R18
Cargo: 30.8/67.4 cu. ft. (rear seats up/down)
Economy: 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway/18.2 mpg test
Fuel capacity: 18.5 gal.
Curb Weight: 4,014 lbs.
Sticker: $52,325 (includes $925 destination, $8,910 options)

The Bottom Line: The Volvo XC60 is a solid SUV with good power and handling. It is comfortable on long rides.

In the past some people have lovingly described Volvo's as tanks and their safety reputation justifies this description. The XC60 further enhances the safety reputation, but with good SUV styling and all the amenities to do the job. Any job.

Once again, I disagreed with the EPA, which classifies the XC60 as a small SUV. I’m sure that the numbers justify this classification, but I’d classify it more as a mid-size, albeit on the smaller half of the class.

There is good power from the turbocharged six-cylinder engine. Acceleration is very good, especially when I was entering traffic from an exit ramp.

I thought the economy could have been better. The “Power” gauge on the dash indicated I wasn’t abusing the gas pedal, but….

Handling is very good, with not tendency toward top-heaviness. One road I take regularly has an abundance of twists and turns, including one fierce left-hander. At my destination after the trip there are several speed limiting bumps in the parking lot. The Volvo treated these almost as if they didn’t exist. We also drove the XC60 in icy rain and the all-wheel drive capabilities added to the feeling of security the vehicle gave me.

I liked the speed limit posting on the tachometer/speedometer. While it might not always be perfectly accurate, at least it gives you a guideline.

About the instruments. In the center of the panel facing the drive r is a larger tachometer with an inset digital speedometer. This was surrounded by bar graph water temperature and “Power” gauges. The fuel gauge is at the far left and the shift indicator at the right.

The front seats are comfortable with very good side support, but not too much to inhibit entry and exit. The seats in out tester were upholstered in a two-tone scheme, with dark and very light gray. This worked well with the dark gray dash and trim.

There are several cubbys around the cabin to hold any assortment of phones, iPods, notebooks, etc. Volvo’s thin center stack also allows for storage behind it that may not be totally obvious to nosy people peeking in the windows.

The steering wheel is nice and fat. Considering the cold weather we drove in, I would have preferred that it was heated, but I couldn’t easily find the switch to turn it on , although after some detective work I eventually did discover it located among other switches at the bottom of the center stack. (Ahhh so much for a pre-test perusal of the owners guide)

The audio and HVAC controls are clear. I would have preferred that the heater warmed up faster, but the heated seats compensated somewhat.

The XC60 is a Volvo, so it is rife with safety features. The Blind Spot Monitor warning light is located on the A pillar. The lane departure warning beeps. And there is a row of red lights at the base of the windshield that alerts you if the car thinks you are too close to the one in front.

Our tester had a dog crate in the cargo area that inhibited rear vision somewhat. I couldn’t get any of my cats to test out the carrier, though.

There is a nice deep arm rest/center console that has USB and AUX outlets inside. There is a 12-volt outlet between the two cupholders, which can be covered.

Rear seats are flat and knee room is okay thanks to indents in the backs of the front seats. There’s a reasonable center hump that allows for a center passenger. The rear seat backs fold easily to create a flat cargo floor. The rear headrests fold forward automatically, and you can also fold them from the front seat if you feel they are in the way.

Yes, the Volvo XC60 is a tank, if a small (compact) one. But it is a damned fine SUV that can do everything 99 percent of SUV owners want their vehicles to do, and do it with style and safety … of course, it is a Volvo.

© 2015 The Auto Page