As the only crossover SUV in the Luxury Class to achieve a perfect five star crash test rating, the 2014 Volvo XC60 is a great SUV that offers a full complement of luxury features as well as a plentiful allotment of safety features. Taking notice of the crash test rating the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has sought fit to award the XC60 with their Top Safety Pick Plus Award for 2014. Having a reputation that is built on safety, this is still a great achievement for Volvo which offers a great SUV to allow owners some individuality with the vehicle.
Packaged with an extensive restyling for 2014, the XC60 is new from the windshield forward to include Corner Traction Control, an improved interior with an adaptive digital display offered on the T6 trim models, a Blind Spot Information System, and a new Sport Package that includes 20-inch wheels and sport seats. Offering a smooth and easily controlled ride, especially with the addition of the Corner Traction Control, this SUV is a really enjoyable ride. Carrying plenty of power to pass in either engine, the upgraded T6 engine would the best choice over the base engine which takes almost ten seconds to get up to speed, while the T6 offers a much faster acceleration time.
In the engine compartment the XC60 can be powered by three different engines for the three models offered. Starting with the base 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine offering 240 horsepower and 236 lb.-ft. of torque, this engine when matched with the six-speed automatic transmission is capable of 19 city/25 hwy mpg for the front-wheel drive (FWD) version and 18 city/24 hwy mpg when equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD).
In the T6 models the engine offering is the one most buyers should choose. Powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine offering 300 horsepower and 325 lb.-ft. of torque, the fuel efficiency only drops slightly from the standard engine to 17 city/23 hwy mpg and uses the same transmission as the base. Gaining this amount of power with only a slight decrease in fuel mileage should attract a lot of shoppers to buy the T6 model.
At the top end of the engines for the XC60 is found the R-design which is powered by even more turbo boosting with its 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine which can produce 325 horsepower and 354 lb.-ft. of torque. Being the beast of the bunch the fuel mileage is exactly the same as the T6 model. Any buyers who really want or need some great power just need to offer up a bit more cash and purchase this road hungry creature. All three powertrains are capable of towing up to 3,300 pounds which will get most toys to the lake as needed, but does limit the amount of yard project freight that can be brought home in one trip.
The cabin of the XC60 is comfortable and well-designed offering important control features in easy to locate positions, but doesn't go crazy with over doing the entire look. The adaptable instrument cluster allows the driver to choose what information they want to receive from the instruments. Offering an excellent ventilation control to direct air flow to wherever the driver desires, the vehicles shows an enhanced comfort. With a nice but subtle array of contrasting colors the appeal to eye is nice, but not overdone as well.
Instead of being a boxy, bulky and hulky vehicle like many of Volvo's previous offerings, the XC60 shows up as sleek and well designed. With good angles and curves as well as a large and menacing front grill, this SUV means business. Riding along fantastic spoke-inspired wheels this vehicle shows a real presence whether parked or driving down the road that is uniquely its own. For a better off road experience the base or T6 model is the best choice, but if the pavement is in the future of this vehicle the sporty R-Design shows off with the big 20-inch wheels.
As expected from a luxury vehicle the XC60 comes in with a nice offering of standard features. These features include skid plates on the front and rear, the City Safety system, a five-year/50,000 mile warranty, complimentary factory scheduled maintenance for five years, five years of roadside assistance, steering wheel mounted audio controls, power windows, Bluetooth connectivity, 18-inch wheels, an eight-speaker 160-watt audio system with HD radio, and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel. The complimentary maintenance alone is one really great feature to make this an easy vehicle to buy.
The optional equipment available for the XC60 offers packages such as the Tech Package which includes a series of safety enhancements such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Collision Warning, Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection and a Road Sign Information system. The Climate Package includes heated front and rear seats, a heated windshield and a heated steering wheel, while the Sports Package includes active HID headlights with the larger wheels and sports suspension. Other options include a navigation system, dual-screen rear-entertainment system, a twelve-speaker premium audio system, integrated rear child safety seats, a panoramic roof with power sunshade and a walnut steering wheel.
Starting with a base price of just over $35,500, the XC60 starts as a very affordable SUV, especially for one in the luxury class. Moving to the T6 model will start the pricing at $41,500 and the top of the food chain R-Design begins at $46,750. If a choice of a fully loaded R-Design is chose the price reaches around $56,000 but all these prices are still very reasonable for the vehicle offered. Many of the competitors start in roughly the same range but don't offer the safety reputation of Volvo.
The 2014 Volvo XC60 enters as a great luxury SUV with a load of safety features and the prestige of being an IIHS Top Pick Plus winner. With all it comes loaded with his is a great vehicle to own and to drive.
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