2010 Volvo XC60: The New Volvo Wagon?

The biggest difference between the XC70 and the XC60 is not size, power, offroad ability, cargo room, price, options or safety, it is styling. Functionally they are identical, the only thing you have a problem with when recommending it is the exterior design.

Which is totally valid, the XC70 looks stupid in that plastic cladding. Too bad they don't make the V70R (not just 'R Design') anymore.

I saw one the same color today....just a knock out....

I think Volvos problem is that they are good, but don't stand out in any category over the competition. Lets go down the list...
Engines:no
Luxury:subjective, Not bad as long as you like Ikea
Safety: Not any better than several other brands
Performance: nothing class leading
Price:Good starting price, but like BMW, a few options and the price goes up fast
Features:Typical entry level luxury stuff
Snob-appeal: umm, NO
Style:subjective, IMHO handsome but not trend setting.

Volvo's are decent cars, but they don't seem to be class leading. Just my opinion.

@redliner,

I have to disagree with you. Lexuses certainly don't stand out in any particular area and are considerably less attractive than modern Volvos yet sell like hot-cakes. Volvo's problem is pricing: their cars are too expensive for what you get.

If you look from a purely practical standpoint at this segment the Volvo is by far the worst value. It doesn't perform like a Q5 and it doesn't have the knockout reliability ratings of the Benz. On top of that, it lacks the interior quality and feature content of both Germans yet costs more than either when similarly equipped. To add insult to injury, people don't see Volvo as a luxury nameplate with cache like MB and Audi, therefore the brand snobs won't even consider it. If the XC60 was a total standout things would be different, but it isn't. Take $5K off the price and Volvo would have a real winner.

"doesn't have the knockout reliability ratings of the Benz."

HUH??? Where do you get that from???????

I think that the biggest problem with the current wagon is that it's gotten to be so fat and heavy -- it's like one of GM's current models it's so overweight...

We bought a new wagon this summer (face it, wagon people love wagons and not CUVs, this is one of two in the household) and the Volvo's 16 MPG rating pretty much took it right out of contention...

@bodyblue

I know, I was surprised too, but everyone from JD Power to even Consumer Reports have ranked the GLK amongst the most reliable vehicles of 2010. Considering it is basically a C-Class in other clothing I figured it would maintain the same average rating, but it totally rocked its platform mate. Makes me wonder why...

@mercedesfan

You’re just flat out wrong. Out of the three, the Volvo is in fact the best value. The Mercedes has the cheapest interior, worst engine, and is the least safe. The Audi is sooo overpriced. For 50k, I can think of different alternatives. The Volvo on the other hand does have a high end interior, most lively engine, and is significantly cheaper than the Audi.

When I think of Volvo I think of safe but otherwise ugly and otherwise undesirable cars. Value wise I can't say accurately if Volvo is worth it but I wouldn't be surprised if they got sub-par marks.

XC60 looks good in person, but from certain angles it's not quite right. In the photo above, it looks like it backed into a brick wall at 30 mph or got a swift kick in the pants.

Most Americans don't go for the Scandinavian design, either. Ikea is cool, but mainly sells in urban environs... imagine that's where this will sell, too, in competition with other CUVs.

I'd take the Ford Flex over the XC60 due to its performance in the long term test, it (Flex) looks retro-cool, and it's American (even though I'm not normally motivated by patriotic emotions).

@hansverner,

I think its great that you like the Volvo, but all of your arguments were opinion and not fact. The facts are that the Volvo is more expensive than the Benz and in the same price range as the Audi yet offers fewer luxury features than both. That makes it a worse value. I never said it was a worse car (because I really think its generally class leading), just poorly priced.

Also, there is no way to say the GLK is less safe than the XC60 as neither have been formally safety tested. Also, the GLK's structure is made with a higher percentage of high-tensile strength steel than the Volvo's, which would indicate that it is in fact the more robust vehicle. The C-Class on which it is based is one of the highest rated cars in the industry for safety (higher than any Volvo) so my bets are on the Benz.

In terms of opinion:

As for the engine, I agree completely with you. The Volvo's turbo unit is more responsive, more fun, and more fuel efficient, but I will give the Benz mill the edge in refinement.

Also, I think the Benz and Volvo are on par for interior quality with Audi perhaps a few steps better than both. The Volvo wins for design, but the Benz has tighter tolerances. Take your pick.

All three are great cars that are bound to make any buyer supremely happy. The Volvo has the most personality and the most unique execution and I think it could be a standout, but it's too expensive for people to give it a chance.

@mercedesfan

My arguments are based on opinion, but the thing is, many people would agree with what I say. The fact is, the Volvo and Mercedes are essentially the same price. Quibbling over a few hundred dollars is pointless. The fact is, all three cars offer pretty much the same equipment. While the Audi has the possibility of altering ride comfort, the Volvo makes up with features like city-safe. Not the same of course, but you get the idea.

And yes, I would say it is safe (no pun intended) to say that the Volvo is in fact safer than the GLK. The Benz is essentially a C class. Although the C class is a safe car….it is not the safest. It received only a 4 star rating for front driver and passenger crash tests. Although this is not terrible, you’d think a company like Mercedes could get the five. The XC60 on the other hand received a full 5 star rating all around in European crash tests and was just awarded a IIHS top safety pick…the GLK didn’t make the list. Win for Volvo.

Volvo always pays special attention to safety well beyond mandated standards, so I wouldn't be surprised if the XC60 beat the GLK, and especially ANY other crossover in a roof crush test or a side impact. I'm speaking from first hand experience, they really go the extra mile even though that's lost in the world of me-too five star or good ratings.

@hansverner,

You're right about the 2009 C, but the 2010 adds knee airbags which bump that rating up to 5 (the primary weakness was leg injury from striking the hard-plastic lower part of the dashboard). Besides, European crash standards are not nearly as stringent as those in the US (the C was awarded full stars in Europe). Also, the IIHS has never tested the GLK so I wouldn't expect it to make their list. It's not a fair comparison.

I just think its funny that MB has made more safety innovations over its history than any other automaker (including Volvo) yet is never considered in the same way. I applaud Volvo for their continued resolve to make the safest cars they can, but they are hardly the only ones doing that. I think Acura, VW/Audi, and MB make cars just as safe, if not safer, than the current slew of Volvos yet don't get the same recognition.

Oh, and when similarly equipped the XC60 is thousands more than the GLK and Lexus RX and both of those have state of the art infotainment systems which the Volvo doesn't even offer, that's a tough sell for a lot of people. Price it lower and it would be a standout because its more stylish than both.

@mercedesfan:
First off, I'm with Hans on this one, but it's not like you're 100% objective either, e.g. your screen name for one thing!
Please don't compare the Volvo w/Lexus RX, due to the fact that that's THE quintessential "soccer mom" vehicle.
Also, don't get so hung up on what these vehicles listed MSRPs are - MSRP vs. what the vehicle actually sells for at the dealer, are two entirely different figures.
Lastly, I'm surprised no one's yet mentioned that the GLK looks like a previous-generation Subaru!
- Chuck

@charlesncharge,

If you knew me or followed my posts over the last 3-4 years you would know that I'm just as likely to criticize a Benz as I am to praise one. I am in fact a Benz fan and both my wife and I drive them, but I am an engineer first and foremost and not afraid to call them out on mistakes.

Also, I really like the Volvo and think its a great car (might even be my top pick in this segment), but it is a valid argument that for a lot of people the ability to spend less money and get a Lexus or MB badge makes the Volvo an un-appealing package. Most people aren't going to bother negociating when that's the case.

Lastly, I happen to think the GLK is a great looking car, at least in person, and it looks nothing like a Forester. However, I realize that is totally opinion, which is why neither of us mentioned it.

@hansverner,
Thank you for a nice discussion that didn't result in petty attacks and ridiculous claims, it is refreshing to talk with someone intelligent. At the end of the day, I think we can both agree that the XC60 is a terrific car, even if we don't agree on how it's priced. :)

@charlesncharge,

If you knew me or followed my posts over the last 3-4 years you would know that I'm just as likely to criticize a Benz as I am to praise one. I am in fact a Benz fan and both my wife and I drive them, but I am an engineer first and foremost and not afraid to call them out on mistakes.

Also, I really like the Volvo and think its a great car (might even be my top pick in this segment), but it is a valid argument that for a lot of people the ability to spend less money and get a Lexus or MB badge makes the Volvo an un-appealing package. Most people aren't going to bother negociating when that's the case.

Lastly, I happen to think the GLK is a great looking car, at least in person, and it looks nothing like a Forester. However, I realize that is totally opinion, which is why neither of us mentioned it.

@hansverner,
Thank you for a nice discussion that didn't result in petty attacks and ridiculous claims, it is refreshing to talk with someone intelligent. At the end of the day, I think we can both agree that the XC60 is a terrific car, even if we don't agree on how it's priced. :)