The 2010 Volvo XC60 has reached the end of its term with us and we're all sad to see it go. It did so many things well - commute, trek, carry, haul, motor, and cruise. But I'll miss it especially because of its style.
There's more to the XC60's look than just its graceful combination of the usual European-style themes, though. It has style without silliness, which is more than you can say of utility vehicles executed recently by BMW (X6), Mercedes-Benz (GLK) and Porsche (Cayenne).
I'd argue that the ideal of utility helps Volvo resist the extravagance of the German brands. A vehicle is what it does as well as what it looks like, the Swedes remind us. And in a world where so much has the sickly sweet odor of marketing, such appreciation for utility is refreshingly honest.
Michael Jordan, Executive Editor, Edmunds.com
ed124c says:
10:36 AM, 01/11/11
Sounds good, Michael, but I can't afford it. I'll take an Outback, or something similar.
I also like the Sorrento, but in order to get any performance out of it, I would need to get the V6 with, shudder, an AUTOMATIC. The 4cyl 6 speed manual is basically unobtainable, but I think you guys have said the 4cyl automatic is a dog. I guess that means that, with the stick, it would still be somewhat of a dog.
exnevadan says:
10:56 AM, 01/11/11
this is such a good looking vehicle that were I in the market, and more well-heeled, I'd definitely go it for over any of the Germans. you see a lot of these in MA, Volvo's do well here, especially all wheel drive models. looking forward to the new V70R, which I'd take over XC60.
missmymiata says:
11:29 AM, 01/11/11
"It did so many things well - commute, trek, carry, haul, motor, and cruise."
You forgot (sincere) idiot detection.
legacygt says:
12:49 PM, 01/11/11
Quietly, Volvo has really been a leader in design for about the past decade. Aside from a few minor miscues (e.g., using a different piece of window trim to differentiate the last gen V70 and XC70) the cars have been clean but still interesting and distinctive. Only recent disappointment for me is the new S60 which, while "naughty" in photographs, is fairly boring/generic in person.