Volvo first introduced the flat panel dash several years ago in the S40 as I recall. I thought it looked cool then and I still do. It reduces the bulk of the dash area and opens up a little extra storage space at the same time.
I was unsure whether or not it would catch on, but here we are years later and it's still there. Maybe Volvo is stuck with it, or customers actually like it, I'm not sure. But I say, good for them. Like the lighting Oldham was referring to, it's different in a good way and that's always a good place to be. Can't say the same about the ventilation controls, but that's another post entirely.
Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor, Inside Line @ 5,811 miles
subaru123 says:
05:09 PM, 10/15/09
I agree that the dash looks cool bu tI would prefer to have the gap closed off and have it turned into a deep, hidden storage cubby. This way there is room for your stuff and it is out of sight of thieves. Speaking of thieves is this car equipped with Volvo's heartbeat moitor on the key fob that lets you know if someone is hiding inside.
carfreak8394 says:
05:54 PM, 10/15/09
subaru123,
if the gap was closed off, it wouldn't really be a "floating center stack."
The way the console is done now, though, is pretty great, in my opinion. I love the light colored wood and I'm eagerly awaiting the post about the ventilation controls.
dakota03 says:
06:00 PM, 10/15/09
Agreed, it does look fantastic. But when I sat in an XC60 last weekend, I noticed that the storage space is so awkward to reach into that I can't imagine anyone would actually put anything in there.
cruiserhead1 says:
06:42 PM, 10/15/09
It's a cool design. I really like it.
I think the new Prius has a similar layout but not nearly as elegant.
altimadude00 says:
06:48 PM, 10/15/09
I also agree with the above statements: elegant dash/layout, unique cubby hole, nice wood/aluminum trim. However, I also wonder what kind of thing you can put back there. And I also wonder what that panel is above the cubby. It looks like the climate sensor and a speaker.
carguy622 says:
07:19 PM, 10/15/09
@altimadude00: I'm guessing it's not for the climate control temperature sensor. I see three little holes under the passenger's temperature knob which I think serve that purpose.
When I test drove an S40 with this design I did like the look of it a lot. But it serves no real purpose. It's very hard to access.
redliner says:
07:34 PM, 10/15/09
I don't like the light wood. If i'm not mistaken, you can get the center console in a variety of trims, including ipod white and a brushed aluminum look. I like it just for the sake of differentiation of the brand.
cx7lover says:
07:38 PM, 10/15/09
Actually it's very easy to access, especially on 07's+ when it got a recessed pocket and rubber mat. I put all kinds of stuff back there, my old EnV, papers, keys.. the wood is also a nice step in the right direction from burl and other dark and stale colors. This color is very modern..
altimadude00 says:
08:40 PM, 10/15/09
Good catch carguy, I didn't notice that.
super_ongoy says:
08:44 PM, 10/15/09
Hey I saw that at Ikea.
super_ongoy says:
09:46 PM, 10/15/09
Hey there's some crust around the lighter socket. What is that?
I just hate it when someone picks their nose and touch things in my car.
biturbomunkie says:
12:55 AM, 10/16/09
it seems like a good place to store plastic bags in case your kid throws up.
btw that 12v dc plug looks dirtttttty.
bodyblue says:
05:20 AM, 10/16/09
It is hard to believe that the super boring boxes from the 70s and 80s have turned into such nice looking rigs. I love the look of Volvos...inside and out.
dougtheeng says:
05:41 AM, 10/16/09
I think it looks great, though not particularly well suited to storage. Its nice to see something different! I agree that Volvos in general have some great looking interiors.
rick8365 says:
06:44 AM, 10/16/09
I liked it in the S40 too and still do in the other Volvos. If I'm not mistaken I have noticed it showing up elsewhere - new McClaren(?) and maybe another recent car?
redwoodaggie says:
07:20 AM, 10/16/09
I love Volvo's newer interiors. That simple/elegant scandinavian design aspect appeals to me. The non-performance orientation of their cars does the opposite. At least the C-30 R-design will soon be more than a design package. I considered the C-30, but the lack of 4 door utility to make up for the goofy looks and lack of performance marked that off the list. If it they had a version more like a luxury Mazdaspeed3, I would have paid extra for that. I was amazed at how well I fit in the car even though I'm 6'7". Not every European manufacturer is good at fitting tall people in their cars (ahem, Jag), but they seem to do better than Asian/American makers. Maybe it's the fact that they're all trying to sell cars to the tall Dutch.
bkochuk says:
08:51 AM, 10/16/09
I dunno...feels like design for design's sake to me.
brn says:
01:50 PM, 10/16/09
I see it getting filled with junk and it looks hard to clean. Looks pretty, but I'll pass.
cr_driver says:
09:28 AM, 10/22/09
I like it, thou not necessarily for storage purposes.