Volvo’s midsize luxury SUV has been supplied a refresh, but additional importantly, it has experienced a adjust of coronary heart as effectively.
What is it?
The XC60 is arguably the most common model in Volvo’s portfolio. Globally, it accounts for a large chunk of the manufacturer’s product sales, but in India, it is the one you get if you want to stand out from the crowd. With the introduction of an all-new version in 2017, the XC60 experienced a very good amount of money of results, but with the level of competition upping the ante, it also has experienced to make some popular modifications. And popular they have been, for the reason that even however the visible modifications may be a little bit also refined, the one beneath the bonnet is anything at all but.
What is it like on the outdoors?
However, how do you know that the XC60 you are seeking at is a facelift? Nicely, for starters, the chrome grille up entrance is now sharper and a little bit additional modern-day. Lower down, you have a revised bumper with a slightly new layout and new chrome aspects included on. That is about it. The rest of the things we cherished on the older version, like the sharp LED headlamps with the Thor’s hammer Daytime Running Lamps and the robust electrical power lines on the bonnet, have been carried in excess of. It is unmistakably an XC60, and that is not a negative issue. Over to the side, the silhouette is the identical as just before, so there have been no modifications to the proportions. But, you will see a clean and sporty layout for the 19-inch alloy wheels.
At the rear, it is the identical story as the entrance, with revised bumpers being the primary speaking issue. The dual exhaust suggestions are now tucked away beneath the bumper, which gives the XC60 a thoroughly clean and uncluttered rear-close. However, there is a new badge now, and that is the biggest telltale indicator of the facelift.
What is it like to drive?
The XC60 now wears the B5 badge, which in Volvo-converse usually means ‘mild hybrid’. Absent is the clattery diesel from the older auto, and in location is a 250hp, 2.-litre, 4-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine. And considering that it is a delicate hybrid, it also gets a 48V battery that performs in conjunction with the engine, assisting it out with far better fuel performance and acceleration. That explained, the biggest variance is the bump up in refinement.
The engine is silent and, even as you attain pace, there is scarcely any engine noise seeping in. Vibrations are just about nil and the total driving knowledge is extremely stress-free. And stress-free is what Volvo wants this SUV to be, which is why it has a additional laid-again character. There is a good deal of grunt on present and the 48V battery does assistance out throughout original acceleration, but you should not hope to be grinning as you mash your suitable foot. Electric power delivery is linear and the engine has a meaty torque band, but it misses out on the oomph that you get from some of its rivals. That explained, the battery aid is seamless, and you never ever come to feel the method at operate.
The other adjust also comes in the variety of omission of typical drive modes, though there is an off-street manner that aids on some light trails. The 8-pace automatic gearbox also is not the most eager unit out there. Shifts are clean, but you need to be client with it. If you wish for additional control and switch to manual manner, you’d have to adjust to tapping the lever to the left or suitable for shifting up or down, which does not come to feel as partaking. The shifts in manual are not just swift both, so it’s best left to the auto to do the shifting. That explained, the gearbox is not unbearable by any usually means, and if you drive it like Volvo intends you to (sedately), you need to be good.
Then you have the trip top quality, which is envisioned to be plush and supple on a luxury SUV. Regrettably, that is not the situation with the XC60 as it has carried in excess of the features of the prior version. The suspension has a firmness that is felt additional in excess of pace bumps and on broken roadways at very low speeds. The suspension thuds in excess of a negative patch of street, and it is only as soon as you attain momentum that the XC60 composes alone. Freeway balance is really very good and undulations at high pace are masked beautifully. However, it misses out on adaptive dampers that its German rivals get and does not have the softly sprung trip like on the Audi Q5 or the Mercedes-Benz GLC both.
By now it is very clear that the XC60 is not an enthusiasts’ decision, so dealing with is something it does not truly just take delight in. The steering is light and breezy for at ease maneuvering, but features small in terms of engagement. Even though it has a manner whereby it provides a little bit of heft, the variance is only marginal. That explained, for a stress-free drive, it is ideal. And that is the issue about the XC60, it is unapologetically an SUV built for ease and comfort and luxury and the driving knowledge echoes the inside which is plush and comforting.
What is it like on the inside of?
The layout may be familiar with a good deal of vertical touches, but it’s nevertheless one that stands out and features the most wow-factor. The bold use of wood and brushed aluminum, along with the 9-inch touchscreen that will take the most genuine estate on the centre console, is all in line with the luxe attractiveness of the XC60. What’s new on this facelift is the current digital instrument cluster, which is not as intuitive as Audi’s Digital Cockpit, but suits in with the topic. Then, there’s the wi-fi charging pad suitable beside the new crystal equipment shifter. It certain provides additional bling and pop to the cabin and is something proprietors would like as effectively. Adding one additional layer of basic safety to the cabin is a PM2.five air purifier – a deserving addition supplied the recent scenario. But the large news is Volvo has partnered with Google, and as a final result, you now have Google Maps as the typical navigation. There’s no need to plug in your cellphone any more just to obtain maps.
There is also Google Assistant at your disposal and you have the selection of downloading audio apps like Spotify. The touchscreen was presently overloaded, and these have only included to that. Regrettably, the controls for the HVAC method are nevertheless concealed away in the infotainment method. However, Volvo’s strongest issue has usually been its prolonged features checklist and with the facelift, points haven’t altered a great deal. The highlights of the prior version like the fifteen-speaker Bowers and Wilkins audio method, therapeutic massage seats for the entrance travellers, heating and air flow for the entrance seats, 4-zone local weather control, panoramic sunroof and the all-vital radar-based basic safety features have been carried in excess of. The seats also are wonderful in terms of guidance and house, in typical, is not an concern on the XC60. For the rear travellers, even so, even though kneeroom and headroom are not an concern, beneath thigh guidance is nevertheless lacking. Yet, the feeling of luxury is really a great deal there, and that is the XC60’s primary attraction.
Verdict
Priced at Rs sixty one.ninety lakh, it is aggressive in opposition to its German counterparts, and even though they may be the additional partaking to drive or even a little bit additional at ease, the XC60 provides with it opulence and an expensive come to feel that proprietors like a whole lot additional. So, if you are in the industry for a midsize luxury SUV that focuses on the ‘luxury’ little bit, the current XC60 ticks all the suitable bins.
