2010 Volvo XC60

If we think of smaller crossovers like the XC60 as the new family sedan, we'll be thinking more like the people who buy them. As such, the 2010 Volvo XC60 shines. It's safe, comfortable, spacious, smooth, modestly attractive, and reasonably powerful, with great cargo space and a flat load floor. All that and priced right, especially if you lose the stupid remote-controlled nav option.

On the TV front, the "From Sweden With Love" ad campaign marked the new 2010 XC60 as the safest Volvo yet.

Volvo's XC60 is a late entry to an increasingly crowded SUV niche already occupied by the Acura RDX, BMW X3, Infiniti EX35, and newcomers Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLK.

For the XC60 is truly organically inspired: possibly the curviest Volvo ever, certainly more voluptuous than the former looker of the line, the C30.

At 182.2 in. long, the XC60 is 8.3 in. shorter than the XC70, but right in the wheelhouse of other two-row, five-passenger premium SUVs.

Most impressive is the new crash-avoidance system called City Safety that makes its debut on the XC60.

In fact, with addition of City Safety as standard equipment to the host of other standard and optional safety systems, Volvo claims the XC60 is the safest vehicle it's ever made.

Volvo has taken the wraps off the R-Design package for its 2010 Volvo XC60, a sport-minded upgrade for customers seeking added flavor in their Swedish crossover SUV. The package doesn't add any go-fast bits, but stiffens the chassis and dampening. Ride height remains the same, but Volvo reckons the color-matched lower body moldings give the mini-ute a lower-appearing stance.

For the exterior, the package adds a slew of upgraded trim pieces, including silk metal finish to grille, front fog lamps, and door mirror housings. The sill moldings get an aluminum look, while the tailpipes and rear skid-plate get chrome. Five-spoke 18-in. wheels come standard, but 20-in. rollers are an option. Seven exterior colors are available for the 2010 Volvo XC60, including Passion red (pictured). And don't forget the requisite R-Design badges.

The interior gets sport-oriented seats, R-Design emblems in the front backrests, blue gauges, a perforated leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear selector, and aluminum pedals. Upholstery options include off-black with beige inserts or vice versa, and the center stack receives a unique decor pattern.

The 2010 Volvo XC60 3.2 will carry a base price of $33,245 for a front-wheel drive model (including $850 for destination) -- add $2000 for all-wheel drive.

For those who were considering the 281-hp turbo 3.0L XC60 but weren't too happy about the 16 city / 22 highway mpg fuel economy, the 235-hp six-cylinder XC60 3.2 might be the answer. Volvo says the 3.0L-powered SUV will achieve 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. No doubt, some of that improvement can be attributed to the loss of the weight of the all-wheel drive system.

All 2010 Volvo XC60s get a six-speed automatic transmission and the swoopy styling that makes this Volvo one of the best-looking in the entry-level premium SUV segment.

The 2010 Volvo XC60 uses a turbocharged 281-horsepower, 3.0-liter inline-6 engine. Overall handling is impressive from this high-riding Swede; despite nine inches of ground clearance, the Volvo XC60 corners flat and holds on tight. The engine pulls really hard; perhaps not as smooth as the others, but the power is really compelling. The turbo spools and drops off very quickly, which makes for a jerky drive."

Test-leading power and torque back up the broad shoulders and aggressive off-road stance. A safe yet stylish value statement but with less of the Audi's refinement and driving flair.

Cycling enthusiasts can get up close and personal with the 2010 Volvo XC60 during the 2009 Amgen Tour of California, as Volvo Cars of North America is the official car and sponsor of the Tour de France-style cycling road race. The Amgen Tour of California is an 800-mile course that challenges the world's top professional cycling teams and runs from Sacramento to Escondido, California. The 2009 Amgen tour will have nine 2010 Volvo XC60s on hand and be seen by more than 1.2 million people while on the road with the professional cyclists, including the legendary Lance Armstrong.

Each stop of the 2009 Amgen Tour will feature a demonstration of the 2010 Volvo XC60 City Safety program, with participants being able to get behind the wheel of the crossover and experience "the car that stops itself." The City Safety program is a low-speed collision-avoidance system designed to stop or slow the vehicle at speeds below 19 mph.

The bourgeoning crossover segment will see another entry in about two months' time as 2010 Volvo XC60 is set to be released to retailers in March. Offered as a 2010 model, the XC60 will be offered only as a T6 AWD model and will come with 281 hp and standard AWD with Instant Traction. With a base MSRP of under $40,000, the 2010 Volvo XC60 is expected to make a splash in the small premium utility segment.

The 2010 Volvo XC60 will be well-equipped in standard trim, highlighted by the inclusion of Volvo's City Safety program. City Safety assists drivers by preventing or softening collisions that may occur at speeds of 19 mph or below. In bumper-to-bumper driving situations, the City Safety program uses a closing velocity sensor to determine whether a collision is likely with the vehicle in front and will either precharge the brakes or automatically brake and attempt to stop the crossover depending on the closing velocity.

The 2010 Volvo XC60 crossover will be the first to offer HD Radio as standard fare. The Volvo XC60's sound system will also include auxiliary and USB inputs to allow the use of all manners of personal music players, including the Apple iPod and USB memory sticks.

For on-road performance, the 2010 Volvo XC60 uses those same big wheels for "handling with style," a 3.0-liter, 281-horse turbocharged inline-six, six-speed auto, brakes based on Volvo XC90 binders, optimal weight distribution, three-level speed sensitive steering, and adjustable suspension damping later in the year.

Featuring Volvo's exclusive City Safety, the 2010 Volvo XC60 is looking to bypass more than 75% of all potential accidents, which normally occur below 19 mph according to surveys. City Safety is a unique system that automatically stops the crossover if it's about to rear-end another vehicle and driver input is not received in time. These types of potential accidents are common in bumper-to-bumper city traffic, and Volvo is in dialogue with insurance companies regarding lower auto insurance premiums for cars equipped with City Safety.

Not only is it safe and sporty, it looks damn good. The 2010 Volvo XC60 is the latest development in Volvo's Dramatic New Approach (DNA) design philosophy that was aimed, and has been largely successful, at banishing the traditional stodginess historically associated with Volvo design of old. "This car is charged with more emotive form and far more energy than any previous Volvo model," says the company's design director, Steve Mattin. Even sitting still it looks like it's in motion--or at least, like it wants to be in motion. A strong shoulder line with a slight upward angle as it approaches the rear and its "coupe-like" greenhouse make it a fairly stunning offering in the safe and staid design mantra of the SUV/crossover segments. Likewise, the contours of the headlamps and trapezoidal grille follow the rearward flow of the fenders and emphasize the hood's V-shaped profile, giving the 2011 Volvo XC60 front end a strong wedge-shaped stance, adding to that slippery sense of motion.

One nice feature is a rear seat that can be folded flat according to a 40/20/40 split, allowing you to enhance the utility of the rear cargo bay, which is, incidentally, quite spacious. A range of useful options is also available, including Hill Descent Control, a laminated panoramic moonroof, integrated child booster seats, in-dash navigation, and Dynaudio premium sound. If you've never experienced premium Volvo audio, we've always found it to kick butt.

Just one engine will be offered in the all-wheel-drive XC60 - Volvo's 281-horse, 295 lb-ft, turbocharged, 3.0-liter inline-six.

The XC60 will be well-equipped in standard trim, highlighted by the inclusion of Volvo's City Safety program.

Not only will the XC60 maintain Volvo's history of success with safety, but the crossover will be the first to offer HD Radio as standard fare.

With a base MSRP of under $40,000, the XC60 is expected to make a splash in the small premium utility segment.

Volvo calls the XC60 its safest car ever, employing a system called City Safety to minimize the low-speed accidents common in city traffic by automatic braking.

The 2010 Volvo XC60 is a new crossover sport-utility that seats five passengers. The new XC60 represents a slightly smaller addition to the existing stable of XC70 and XC90 crossover SUVs. They're called crossovers because they straddle the line between car and SUV.

The 2010 XC60 looks like a small XC90 and comes in one model called the T6. The XC60 is powered by a turbocharged and intercooled 281-horsepower six cylinder through a six-speed automatic transmission called Geartronic. All-wheel drive is standard.

Ride and handling characteristics of the XC60 are characteristic of Volvo's crossover sport utilities, that is, comfortable but tending more toward utility than sport. To that end, the 2011 Volvo XC60's ground clearance tops the competition. Power is decent, and brakes are superb.

A new safety feature helps avoid or mitigate damages from low-speed rear-end in congested freeway traffic. It's a braking package programmed to stop the car independent of the driver when it senses an impending encounter with a car in front at speeds up to 18 miles per hour.