Curvaceous Swede

The Volvo XC60 is a pretty car that sports a powerful engine. However, it is let down by a sluggish automatic gear box

Sitting pretty in the parking lot, the Volvo XC60 is the anti-thesis of brawny and oversized SUVs. It is not pretentious, not at all like one of those vehicles that poses as a pseudo all-terrain vehicle. Rather, the Belgium-made Swedish machine is an eye-catching crossover SUV that quietly tackles whatever the tarmac throws at it. Ever since its global launch in 2008, the XC60 has caught the attention of the shutterbugs and earned its maker praises for coming up with a bold-looking crossover rather than sticking to its predictable, though functional, design. In 2014, Volvo decided to press the refresh button and give the XC60 a mid-life makeover. Not that it needed one, but with the German brigade - Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz - continuing to hog market share, Volvo was left with little choice.

The XC60 has a stylishly curvaceous body. The front has been subjected to minor surgery - the grille has been stretched to make it bigger and more prominent. The headlamp cluster too has increased in size, and the redesigned bumper now houses the exquisite vertical daytime running LED lights. With chunky headlamps, additional chrome on the Volvo badge on the nose and the sloping bonnet, the XC60 has a youthful, aerodynamic look. The crossover now comes with body-coloured cladding on the side instead of the black used earlier, and, inspired by the V40 Cross Country, it now also has underbody protection with stylish skid plates at the front and rear.

Inside, you find a black and light beige cabin with chrome finishes on the centre console and the steering wheel. The most evident change there is the Adaptive Digital Display instrument cluster, which is also present in the V40 Cross Country. This intuitive display can be adjusted to your mood as it comes in three modes - elegance, eco and performance. According to the chosen mode, the display's colour and the digital dial changes. In the performance mode, the black light becomes red and an rpm dial appears, while in the other modes the speedometer takes the centre stage. In the eco mode, the display turns blue, but is grey coloured in the elegance mode. This might seem gimmicky, but it add some flair to the car.

Volvo XC60

Volvo has also tweaked the seats, making them sporty, snug and more supportive on the side. As for the rear passengers, the seats are slightly raised to provide a better view of the outside. Beware now of backseat drivers! But there is a solution for that as well - the XC60 comes with a six-speaker boom box that will drown out any annoying noise. On long distance trips, the rear passengers can while away their time with entertainment on dual DVD players and dual 7-inch screens integrated with the front head restraints. The car also comes with a satellite navigation system that uses both voice guidance and map displays. This means you will never drive alone and reach your destination without too many problems.

Volvos have always been well-built products and sport all the latest features and gadgets that are available in the luxury segment. The brand has been the torchbearer for safety. Where the company has lagged is in the enthusiasm that results from pressing the pedal to the floor. The XC60 retains the 2.4-litre diesel engine, but now it has an additional 10bhp for a total of 215bhp. There is quite a bit of power for the driver, but the killjoy is the sluggish 6-speed automatic gear box, which insists on keeping the engine on child-lock mode. Step on the gas and the engine warms at a comfortable pace. This is ideal for city limits but it will hardly satisfy the speed demon in you. Thankfully, the new XC60 comes with paddle shifts and you get to manually control the rev meter. The engine lacks refinement when it's cruising at higher rpm levels, and noise is quite audible inside the cabin. Volvo's all-wheel drive system is a gem as it keeps the XC60 stable at corners, thanks to the efficient traction control system. The ride quality is definitely up there and well designed for bumpy Indian roads.

Don't be fooled by the XC60's good looks as there is more to it than just that. The ride quality is superb and it can do mild offroading without breaking a sweat. The engine has enough power but translating this into actual on-road performance is a task because of the lazy six-speed gearbox. Unfortunately, this crossover is not a driver-oriented vehicle and, therefore, lacks instant responses and steering wheel feedback. Of course, if it is comfort that you are looking at, then the XC60 hits the bulls-eye.

Arup Das is Features Editor at AutoX

Volvo XC60 D5 SUM
Engine: 2,400cc
Power: 215bhp @ 4000rpm
Torque: 440Nm @ 1500-3000 rpm
Fuel economy: 14.7 kmpl
Price: Rs 48 lakh (Ex-showroom, Delhi)