01:50 PM, 12/20/10
My Volvo story and then question: I always loved old Volvos for the well balanced (read heavy) steering and brakes. They were frankly always more similar to a BMW than anything else on the road and according to Volvo were that way because of "safety".
Do they new Volvos like your XC60 still have the good steering and brakes or did they Toyota-ize them?
And the answer is yes and no. The XC60's steering and brakes are responsive, but its steering is closer to that BMW-ness grfa mentions in his question. One of our editors Josh Jacquot explains what I mean perfectly in his well written full test of another 2010 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD, which we published in May 2009.
Josh writes, "Steering feel lacks the precise feedback of a BMW, but at the limit it offers ample information. Overall, there's still a marginal bit of refinement missing from the driving experience that can be found in this SUV's German competitors, but the difference isn't so great that it would keep us from giving the Volvo a solid look if we were shopping in this segment."
"Softer pedal than some competitors like BMW X3, but still a very good number."
Any other questions about our Volvo?
Scott Oldham, Editor in Chief
kevm14 says:
02:53 PM, 12/22/10
With regard to Toyota-izing, I distinctly remember driving a 2002 Camry several years ago. The brake pedal felt like it traveled 4 feet before anything happened, and when something did happen it was like stepping on a soggy loaf of bread. I was POSITIVE something was wrong, so I looked into it. The short form is...nothing was wrong, that's how they all are. It was A-W-F-U-L. And, not that it's a suitable defense, there are a LOT of other cars that are similarly bad, including popular ones.
carlisimo says:
04:05 PM, 12/22/10
kevm14, I had the same experience with a 2002 Camry. The current generation is significantly better (I'd call it "not bad").
How tippy does the XC60 feel? Is it sedan-like at all?
kevm14 says:
05:00 PM, 12/22/10
My latest drivability pet peeve on late model cars is the electronic throttle tuning. It seems since OEMs got their mitts on drive by wire they've been doing whatever they want with the way the pedal responds. My two biggest issues are a distinct lag or delay at the moment of tip-in, and a very non-linear feel to torque output. The big "trick" is to load up on tons of throttle at light application and lead the driver to believe the engine has a lot more than it really does. I always see right through it because I use wide open throttle, which can't hide the engine's true power. The first real offender that I drove with this issue was the first gen TSX auto, which put you back in your seat a little at throttle tip-in but had nothing else to offer at WOT...terrible. I wasn't fooled. I know different cars vary widely but it's a trend I've noticed.
adavis2493 says:
05:19 PM, 12/22/10
"Softer pedal than some competitors like BMW X3"
That is a great thing. I leased an X3 when I lived in Denver for a few years as a 2007 model, it being equipped with the sport package. Other than a back-breaking ride, both the accelerator, and the brake were far too touchy to live with every day. After 36 Months/30,000 Miles, I still didn't feel completely used to the touchiness of practically everything in that car.
Anyway, I do have a question, in regards to the XC60, as well as all the other cars in your fleet.
How's the range of the keyfob?
rod_stewart says:
05:21 PM, 12/22/10
Editor in Chief Oldham:
But is the steering heavy like an old Volvo's?
I think that's what the guy was asking.
-Rod
7driver says:
07:40 PM, 12/22/10
"My latest drivability pet peeve on late model cars is the electronic throttle tuning.... The big "trick" is to load up on tons of throttle at light application and lead the driver to believe the engine has a lot more than it really does."
Actually, Honda's been doing that since long before electronic throttles. A certain brown 1980 Civic comes immediately to mind.
kevm14 says:
07:47 PM, 12/22/10
Yeah but the TSX was extra bad. I did a little googling and there are many complaints on many forums about it, so it wasn't just me.
carmizvi says:
05:35 PM, 12/26/10
Off topic here, but the photo that accompanies this entry is phenomenal. Then again, much of the photography from Edmunds is absolutely first-rate. Kudos.
myob says:
01:45 AM, 12/30/10
I'd like to know why volvo sends out bronze/gold cars for testing and puts them in their promotional stuff. Or does Edmunds buy them? If so, when did you become color blind? It's hardly a flattering color.
Volvo also sells a lime green color and "lemon" seats. Must be a crazy Swede thing.
The steering feel in the R design seems to be a little "tighter", but it is no bmw. But then almost nothing else is. For a crossover it's near the top though. Braking in my own tests is great. I also hate the jumpy braking and throttle on cars like the Infiniti G35.
Note: The sport mode on the XC60 is actually too harsh with shifts for anything but spirited driving for fun. Unlike the BMW sport mode, which takes it from too sluggish to just right.