I'm at the tail end of a long-weekend with our new long-term 2010 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD and my complaints are trivial at best.
1) While the driver's seat is comfortable, I'd like the seat bottom cushion to be a little longer for a bit more thigh support.
2) For the Volvo's sticker price I think it should have a power liftgate. It does not.
Otherwise, I'm a fan of our new chocolate brown, people hauler from the land of tiny meatballs. I've even made peace with its odd navigation controls with are mounted on the back of the steering wheel. Give them a chance and they are quite intuitive.
I'm also a big fan of its styling and its turbocharged powertrain. This is without question one of the most attractive, best performing new luxury crossovers out there and I'll never hesitate to grab its key.
Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief @ 5,722 miles
carguy622 says:
04:10 PM, 10/12/09
I love the look too.
felonious says:
04:33 PM, 10/12/09
Editors: Would you rather buy this vehicle or a top-spec Flex? They're about the same price and I feel they are direct competitors.
billt9 says:
05:17 PM, 10/12/09
I love it too.
I can't believe anyone would compare this to the Flex. Well I guess you can.
But even with a fully loaded Flex, it's still a people's car with leather, the plastic and the leather is all lower grade and feels half as good.
This crossover rocks. Just get the non-turbo V6 for 27 mpg.
altimadude00 says:
06:14 PM, 10/12/09
Felonious--If I were to compare the Volvo to the Flex, these would be my observations:
The Flex is flexable (who knew?) with seating to carry my family and my kid's friends when they want to go to the park or the beach. The Flex will also make a trip to IKEA or Lowe's stress free because of the cavernous cargo area. The Flex is also stylish, in a boxy, American, utilitarian way.
The Volvo is like a designer purse. It may not be as practical as, say a backpack, but it sure looks better. It infuses about 70% of the utility of the Flex in a more expressive package. My kid's friends will have to ask their mom for a convoy ride to the beach, but at least they'll get to check out my swoopy taillights. This car can go to IKEA and Lowe's, but it'd rather not. It also has that appeal that all people with European accents have. (You could listen and look all day long, but a long term relationship, more times than not, would be a nightmare.)
Summing up, the Flex would be a good road tripper (as IL has demonstrated). The Volvo would make a great garage sale cruiser and look good going to a nightclub. I'm not saying that the Volvo can't to everything the Flex can do, it accomplishes it with more delicateness rather than a can-do attitude.
bc1960 says:
06:21 PM, 10/12/09
Admittedly, I'm not a fan of leather upholstery for automobile applications, but no Volvo I have seen, including the XC60, has appealing leather like a similarly priced Audi, or even the Volkswagen CC. It's tough and probably durable, but in no way does it seem markedly finer than what I've seen in current Fords.
stephen987 says:
06:35 PM, 10/12/09
Another Swedish fashion accessory. Just what the world needs.
cx7lover says:
09:27 PM, 10/12/09
3.2 is sloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow
And most of those cars bc1960 listed have Leatherette.
dougtheeng says:
05:56 AM, 10/13/09
I like it. I've always had a thing for Volvo products, and this vehicle is no exception. Its a luxury alternative that doesn't scream "LOOK AT ME" or "SEE I DRIVE A BIMMER TOO" - thats refreshing.
bodyblue says:
07:11 AM, 10/13/09
The Volvo has the best looking butt in the automotive world. Those tailights are wicked! I just dont need AWD. The V70 would be better for me.
legacygt says:
07:55 AM, 10/13/09
Somehow Volvo has quietly designed some of the most distinctive and best looking mass production cars on the market. And the XC60 may be the best of the bunch. It is too expensive but there seems to be a market for overpriced, undersized SUV/Crossovers.
Wouldn't miss the power liftgate though. To me this is a feature that is completely unnecessary and, in most cases, it is poorly executed. To get this added convenience you often give up some cargo space for the mechanism and block off some of the hatch width. The day you squeeze in that item that just barely fits is the day you're glad you don't have have the power hatch.
cr_driver says:
11:39 AM, 10/14/09
Never say never.....so they say.