Volvo XC60 D5 AWD R-DESIGN Premium Start/Stop Geartronic 5dr Car Review - March 2012

The ride in the car is quite comfortable while still delivering a well controlled body which barely moves at all during cornering, and the steering is sharp and quick to respond. Although the XC60 does have all-wheel drive, this is a model that is primarily designed to be a practical family car that can be used on the road, where it really is at home. Inside the cabin the high driving position means that forward visibility is great and rear visibility is good too, and the steering wheel and driving seat can also be adjusted to ensure the driver is comfortable.

Considering that this is an engine that can deliver good fuel efficiency, the acceleration from 0-62mph in 8.8 seconds is excellent. The top speed of 130mph is plenty for motorway driving, and the cabin remains calm and refined with only the suggestion of a little engine noise when it is being worked hard.

The XC60 is a good looking car already, but with the R-Design kit the car does become an even more attractive vehicle, although some people may prefer the more understated versions of the XC60. The lines of the vehicle are a little closer to a car, but the black plastic trim around the bottom of the car does remind people that this is a 4x4. Inside the car the trim is very classy and the dashboard is easy to read while the centre console does suffer from having buttons that are little too small to be practically used while driving.

Included with this version of the XC60 is leather-faced upholstery, satellite navigation and Bluetooth connectivity, which emphasises the classy nature of the car. Electric windows throughout and climate control help ensure that the cabin remains pleasant and has a comfortable environment, and the cruise control is useful in making this car really comfortable when used as a motorway cruisers.

There is no doubt that the XC60 is one of the most practical cars available, with plenty of space in the front and the back of the car, along with a very spacious boot too. Folding seats make the load space in the XC60 ideal for occasionally moving large or bulky items. Volvo has a good reputation for reliability, and the XC60 is certainly a car that can be trusted on this front.

Volvo also has a great reputation for safety, and the XC60 does come with a good set of airbags that will protect the driver and passengers in the car. There are also plenty of driver aids that help to keep the car stable and safe on the road, which have helped it to achieve five stars in the Euro NCAP test. There are also innovative features that help to prevent the car from low speed collisions.

The list price of £37,900 is a lot of money for an XC60, and many people will opt for one of the lower priced versions that still boast a reasonable level of performance and equipment.

The fuel efficiency of this model delivers an average 41.5mpg which isn't too bad for the class, although there are some models available that can deliver better efficiency. The insurance group is fairly high meaning premiums aren't too cheap either, but one plus point is that it does hold its value quite well. The XC60 is supplied with a three year or sixty thousand mile warranty, and also has roadside breakdown assistance for the first year.