The best SUV for your family: safe, environmentally friendly, least accident-prone. Meet the Volvo XC60

In our country, the best-selling premium car for several years has been the Volvo XC60. Last year, more than 4200 units of this model were sold. Volvo XC60 is the best-selling model of the Swedish brand, and not only in our country. Worldwide, this mid-size SUV represents 31% of the entire Volvo range, more than any other model (40% share of the XC29). On the Polish market, the XC60 accounts for 38% of Volvo Car Poland's sales. There is also an upward trend in sales of gasoline-powered vehicles, currently as high as 60%. The share of the once popular diesel engines has dropped significantly to 33%, although five years ago it was as much as 72%.

The success of the XC60 is easy to explain - it's a favorite family car and the so-called "upper middle class". “. These are mostly freelancers: doctors, lawyers, architects, journalists, artists. In sociology, the concept of stratification, that is, social stratification, places this group almost at the top of the ladder. And it is a dream "target" for premium brands.

Volvo is the most popular brand

It just so happens that among these premium brands, Volvo is preferred by representatives of the upper middle class. In the US, this is almost a given, but in Europe, Volvo is gaining more customers in this group. And he doesn't have to groom them with weird tricks like a glowing Mercedes star or a BMW's buds that look like overgrown guinea pig teeth. Whoever buys a Volvo will stay with that brand for the rest of their lives. This choice is made consciously. Volvo has been consistently replacing the entire model range for several years now. The process has now been completed and the target group clearly liked the results. The new Volvos are modest, rather simple but elegant. We will not find fiction here - a sedan is a sedan, a station wagon is a station wagon, and an SUV is an SUV. I suspect that if someone at Volvo had the idea to “make a fancy SUV coupe”, they would be advised to take longer walks in the woods to cool off. But Volvo combines a conservative form with progressive content: the company has its own philosophy of safety and sustainability, it does not have to do anything by force. Yes, it announces the electrification of the entire model range, but for 2040, and not for “instantly”. There is only one electric model so far, but hybrids have been introduced. And they are different, from the simplest "mild hybrid" to the classic plug-in, charged from a wall outlet. So every Volvo XC60 is electrified to some degree.. The mild hybrid is also available with both petrol and diesel engines. And regardless of the type of drive, it is considered the most efficient system of this type on the market, just read the tests in the automotive press.

They are the most expensive, but also the most economical. plug-in hybrid variants called Recharge. A number of changes have been made to this year's models to improve this type of drive. The cars received traction batteries with a larger nominal capacity (an increase from 11,1 to 18,8 kWh). Thus, their useful power increased from 9,1 to 14,9 kWh. The natural consequence of this change is to increase the distance that Volvo PHEV models can travel on electric power alone. The electric range is now between 68 and 91 km (WLTP). The rear axle is driven by an electric motor, the power of which has been increased by 65% ​​- from 87 to 145 hp. Torque has also increased from 240 to 309 Nm. A built-in starter-generator with a power of 40 kW appeared in the drive system, which made it possible to exclude a mechanical compressor from the internal combustion engine. This alternator makes the car move smoothly, and switching from electric motor to internal combustion drive is almost imperceptible, as in mild hybrids. Volvo PHEV models also have improved all-wheel drive performance and a maximum towing weight increased by 100 kg. The electric motor can now independently accelerate the car up to 140 km/h (previously up to 120-125 km/h). Driving dynamics of hybrids of the Recharge line is significantly improved when operating only from the electric motor. The more powerful electric motor is also able to brake the vehicle more effectively during the energy recovery function. One pedal drive was also added to the XC60, S90 and V90 models. After selecting this mode, all you have to do is release the accelerator pedal to bring the car to a complete stop. The fuel-and-fuel heater has been replaced by a high-voltage air conditioner (HF 5 kW). Now, when driving on electricity, the hybrid does not consume fuel at all, and even with the garage closed, the interior can be heated during charging, leaving more energy for driving on electricity. Internal combustion engines have a power of 253 hp. (350 Nm) in the T6 variant and 310 hp. (400 Nm) in the T8 variant.

In the Volvo XC60 currently on sale, not only has the drive system been changed. The most important change inside the car is the introduction of a new infotainment system based on the new Android system. The system allows operation similar to that known from the operation of the telephone, but adapted for hands-free mode, therefore, it is safe when driving a car. The new system will also introduce a suite of digital services available to all Android Automotive vehicles. The service package includes access to Google apps, the Volvo On Call app, a wireless charger and all the data needed to operate the system. There will also be a Google voice assistant, best-in-class navigation, and apps included in the Google Play store. The Google Assistant lets you set the temperature in your car with your voice, set a destination, play music or podcasts, and even send messages—all without taking your hands off the wheel.

Volvo as a synonym for safety

Safety in the context of family cars is very important. However, traditionally for Volvo, safety is not forgotten. The Volvo XC60 has received the latest advanced ADAS driver assistance system. (Advanced Driver Assistance System) - consists of a number of radars, cameras and ultrasonic sensors. In principle, ADAS is a set of driver assistance systems, depending on the manufacturer, model or equipment used, with varying degrees of sophistication, technological advancement and constituent elements. Collectively, Volvo calls its systems IntelliSafe.

These systems help you stay on track between lane markings, detect vehicles in the blind spot of your rear-view mirrors, assist with parking, inform you of traffic signs, and even avoid collisions. And thanks to the new system, which includes Google navigation, you can provide real-time information about obstacles, such as roadworks or other events on the road. In cooperation with navigation, the car will not only warn the driver, but also automatically adjust the speed to the road conditions in extreme situations. This also applies to sudden deterioration in weather conditions.

See also: Volvo XC60 Recharge is a hybrid SUV from Volvo

All this, of course, has its price. However, it is not as high as one might expect. The cheapest but well equipped Volvo XC60 with mild hybrid petrol engine it costs just over 211 12 zł. However, most customers opt for the more expensive Core or Plus versions, which cost PLN 30 or PLN 85 more respectively. However, they also offer a host of comfort-enhancing features, such as keyless entry, a power liftgate or leather upholstery (eco-leather, of course). At the top is the Ultimate version, more expensive than the base one by as much as XNUMXXNUMX, but offering just about everything imaginable, including four-zone air conditioning and a panoramic, opening sunroof. But this is the price of a real premium, in which wood is wood, not varnished plastic, aluminum is aluminum - Volvo does not cheat, does not pretend. These are just premium cars that can't be cheap...