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2019 Volvo XC60 T8 E-AWD R-Design Review by David Colman +VIDEO


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2019 Volvo XC60 T8 eAWD R-Design

Built like a bank vault and more comfortable than your living room

By David Colman
Special Correspondent to THE AUTO CHANNEL


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2019 Volvo XC60 T8 AWD R-Design
The XC60 sports utility is Volvo's mid-size SUV, lying halfway between the smaller XC40 and the larger XC90 in both size and price. The XC40 and XC60 carry 5 passengers, while the XC90 transports 7. Prices range from $34,195 for the base XC40 to $42,500 for a base XC60 and $48,500 for the entry level XC90. Our test XC60 was about as far from entry level as Volvo offers. The T8 designation identifies this vehicle as a plug in hybrid, which combines an 87hp electric motor with a 313hp, 2 liter inline 4 cylinder gas engine which is supercharged and turbocharged. The combined hybrid output of 400hp and 472lb.-ft. of torque feeds through an 8 speed automatic gearbox which powers all four wheels. Base price for this T8 E-AWD model is $52,900.

Further elevating the final price were these tasty, but not strictly necessary, additions : R-Design package ($8,850), Advanced Package ($2,500), Bowers and Wilkins Premium Sound package ($3,200), and 4-Corner Air Suspension ($1,800). With an extra $645 for white metallic paint and $750 for 4 heated seats and steering wheel, our Volvo carried a sticker of $69,540. The most important contributions of the R-Design package were the exceptionally supportive and handsome front seats, finished in Nappa leather and Nubuck upholstery. Second in significance were R-Design 19 inch alloy rims carrying Pirelli Scorpion Zero rubber (235/55R19) which added both good looks and good grip. The Advanced Package contributed Volvo's self-driving aid (Pilot Assist), adaptive cruise control, and LED headlights which swivel to illuminate curves at night. The Premium Sound System was mind boggling, with 600 watts of output and 14 speakers located everywhere. I happily spent a full hour inside the Volvo with the engine turned off while the satellite radio blasted Ronnie Dunn's Road Trip ("Buckle Up and Simmer Down") on Channel 58.

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2019 Volvo XC60 T8 AWD R-Design
Driving the Volvo was slightly less enjoyable than listening to its stereo. That's because Volvo engineers have concluded that virtually every instruction from driver to machine must first pass through the 8" video panel called Sensus Connect. For example, the XC60 arrived for my test week with Lane Keeping Aid (LKA)fully engaged. In this interventional mode, you are forced to fight with the steering wheel every time you make a lane change without using your turn signal. This annoyance proved hard to eliminate, since Volvo, unlike most other manufacturers, presents no button on the dash to delete or activate LKA. So, I spent 15 frustrating minutes with the XC parked as I scrolled through endless menus looking for a way to deactivate LKA. I was only partially successful, since Sensus offered no way to delete LKA entirely. This episode brought to mind the intransigence of HAL in Stanley Kubrick's 2001, A Space Odyssey. Also, note that Volvo does not provide a printed owner's manual, rather choosing to incorporate it into Sensus Connect.

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2019 Volvo XC60 T8 AWD R-Design
As you might expect from a 400hp hybrid combo, the XC60's acceleration proved scintillating. Volvo provides a pair of oversized alloy shift paddles at the steering wheel to help you run through those 8 gear ratios as needed. You can also dial up the drive mode of choice from a quartet of pre-sets which included "Power" - which I invariably chose. Unfortunately, you must re-select your mode choice every time you re-start the Volvo. Curvy road handling with the air suspension generated more pitch and head toss than anticipated, though the Pirelli Scorpions hung onto the tarmac ferociously.

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2019 Volvo XC60 T8 AWD R-Design
No matter how much you spend on an SUV, you won't find a more beautifully detailed interior than this XC60. In addition to the knockout seats, the dash design is Bauhaus clean, with sweeping accents of embossed aluminum complementing the R-Design black headliner. A sweeping, laminated power moonroof complete with power sunshade opens up the interior like an aquarium. Power rear headrests on the back seat are easily dropped to permit maximum rear vision through the tailgate window. That hatch door opens with just a push of the keyfob. The back seats can be instantly folded flat with conveniently provided electric assists. The XC60 is big enough inside to accept a full size bicycle with ease. Folding the rear seats provides 34 cubic feet of flat floor storage space. From a practicality standpoint, the interior of the XC60 is a marvel of good design.

The XC60 is meticulously constructed in Chengdu, China. Volvo has become less and less Swedish since Geely took over ownership of this marque. In fact, 30% of the XC's parts come from China versus just 15% from Sweden. Regardless of origin, the XC T8 is built like a bank vault and more comfortable than your living room.




2019 VOLVO XC60 T8 E-AWD R-DESIGN

    ENGINE: 2.0 liter inline 4, turbocharged and supercharged, plus electric motor
    HORSEPOWER: 400hp
    TORQUE: 472lb.-ft.
    FUEL CONSUMPTION: 58MPGe/26MPG Gas Only
    PRICE AS TESTED: $69,540

HYPES: Best Seats Anywhere, Interior Practicality and Beauty

GRIPES: Sensus Needs Revision

STAR RATING: 8.5 Stars out of 10