| The Volvo XC60 is about the same size as compact sport-utilities or crossovers from other European luxury brands, including the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLK.
Yet the XC60 has at least 17 percent more cargo volume than any of those competitors.
At an overall length of 182.2 inches, the XC60 is sized comparably to the Honda CR-V and Ford Escape, with similar cargo capacity.
With 9.1 inches of ground clearance, and skid plates that actually protect some of its underpinnings, all-wheel-drive versions of the XC60 offer a bit more legitimate off-road capability than other vehicles in this class.
This compact has the rugged, adventurous, substantial look buyers might expect in an SUV, but it's also very clearly a Volvo, even without the badges.
The XC60 bears a close resemblance to its elder and larger stalemate, the XC90.
The XC60 continues the Volvo design trend away from sharp angles and square corners and toward softer and more rounded lines.
It's less severe, more relaxed, than the Volvos of yore.
The front end wears a softened version of the trademark trapezoidal grille, with egg crate mesh behind an angular slash emblazoned with the Volvo logo, braced by swoopy headlight housings embedded in swept-back fenders.
A secondary air intake fills the lower center portion of the bumper, with fog lights tucked into the corners.
The outlines of the openings, all V-like in overall shape, flow into each other, giving the fascia an of-a-piece look.
The resulting head-on view is pleasing, while substantial and a little tall.
Side perspective presents mild confusion between a sportier, almost coupe-like hood slope and roofline and a wedgy beltline that rises in a straight line from the front wheel well to the rear door handle, leaving a bulbous mass of a rear quarter panel.
This unbalanced look leaves a relatively hunkered down front end attached to a high, bustle-like rear end.
Granted, this allows that class-leading cargo capacity of almost 70 cubic feet, but it leaves the XC60 with a stubby, chopped-off posterior.
The rear view shows broad shoulders capped by a tapered glasshouse, with LED taillights climbing up the sides of the glass on the one-piece liftgate.
The rear bumper cups the bottom edge of the liftgate, with widely spaced exhaust tips peeking out just inboard of each rear tire.
The body mass also minimizes the visual effect of the XC60's height, giving the rear perspective a more planted presence than the front.
XC60s with the R-Design treatment have a slightly bolder look.
It starts with 20-inch alloy wheels and color-matched lower body moldings.
The bright metal mirrors, window trim and tailpipes have a matte, almost silky finish, and the grille is imbedded with a prominent R logo, so everyone knows what the operator is driving. |