Volvo is currently undergoing something of a purple patch product-wise, with one of the newest and most stylish model ranges of any marque.
The new V60 estate made its debut at the 2018 Geneva International Motor Show, where the XC40 small SUV was also crowned European Car of the Year.
Meanwhile, though, it’s the larger XC60 that’s been winning the affections of the British public and media, having taken the UK Car of the Year and Fleet World Best Large SUV honour.
Here are five reasons why it’s the best large SUV of 2018.
It’s the fastest-selling Volvo ever
In 2017, the new XC60 replaced the original, which had been on the market for nine years and grew to become the company’s best-seller – accounting for almost one-in-three of every new Volvos sold globally.
The newcomer had a waiting list from the get-go, such was the public’s desire to upgrade to the new version. Its predecessor almost topped a million sales worldwide and became the best-selling medium-large SUV in Europe. The new one is proving to be just as popular.
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The engine range
Volvo has an XC60 for every application, from the T8 ‘Twin Engine’ plug-in hybrid as found in the XC90, with 405bhp on tap and an electric range of 30 miles.
T5 and T6 petrol engine all use the same 2.0-litre block with differing power outputs (254bhp and 320bhp), while the D4 diesel serves the mainstream SUV market, with 190bhp available.
All engine choices come with Volvo’s recently introduced eight-speed automatic transmission as standard.
It’s new from the ground-up
Although it’s only the second incarnation of the XC60, Volvo avoided the temptation to simply revamp what they had, investing instead in an entirely new architecture for the XC60.
It’s derived from Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), which made its debut with the XC90 SUV, followed by the S90 and V90 models, and more recently with the new V60.
Volvo is also keen to distinguish it from the perception of being a scaled-down XC90. As a result, it’s lower, sportier and leaner, with a more car-like feel than its predecessor.
There’s more space inside
Even though it has a more agile stance than its predecessor, the new XC60 is actually a larger car, with a wider chassis allowing better shoulder room, and more length helping legroom and load space.
The wheelbase is increased by about 90mm, while it’s 75mm longer overall. Despite being larger overall, though, lightweight technology means it’s actually marginally lighter than the car it replaces.
The technology is awesome
The XC60 is one of the most technologically-advanced SUVs ever, with all models featuring an iPad-style nine-inch touchscreen, along with digital instrumentation.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility go without saying, while another clever feature is Volvo’s ‘CleanZone’ four-zone climate control system that removes pollution and airborne particles.
It also comes with optional Pilot Assist, a semi-autonomous system that can take control of the car’s speed and steering in order to guide it away from potentially dangerous situations, such as veering into oncoming traffic or pulling out in front of a car in your blind spot. The package also includes cyclist, pedestrian and large animal detection systems, plus adaptive cruise control. Volvo has always been a safety leader, and with the XC60 it shows no signs of moving away from that.
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