GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

Car reviews - Volvo - XC60 - D5 5-dr wagon

Our Opinion

We like
Strong diesel performance, comfort, modern design, good packaging
Room for improvement
Some body roll, engine could be quieter

3 Dec 2009

THE XC60 is by far the best selling car in Volvo’s Australian line-up, and for good reason.

This compact SUV is fairly new, stylish and practical. One of the model’s highlights, along with the slingshot turbo six-cylinder T6 model, was the D5 diesel engine.

It had good torque and was reasonably quiet. The good news is that the new D5 diesel is even stronger and more refined.

We were only able to test the new D5 XC60 in downtown Melbourne, but the quick spin was enough to reveal the new diesel is a real treat to drive.

It is not the quietest diesel in world, easily picked as a diesel at idle. That said, it is a class above the noisy idling 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder that powers the smaller models in the Volvo line up.

The new D5 is likely to win a driver over the first time they accelerate. It surges forward impressively as you would expect from a turbo diesel, but the new D5 keeps going strongly, revving quickly to 4000rpm before the automatic transmission flicks into the next gear.

The two turbos do a convincing job of assisting performance both at the low and higher ends of the engine’s rev range.

It revs out smoothly without getting thrashy, and the engine note under load sounds really sporty. It doesn’t sound like diesel at all when pressed hard.

The XC60 is not a small vehicle, yet you never feel its bulk with the new D5 in the engine bay. It can respond if you are in the mood.

This engine works well with the standard six-speed automatic transmission (a regular torque-converter type). It is so well suited that you hardly notice the gear changes – a sign that the transmission not only of top quality but is also well calibrated.

The D5 XC60 is happy cruising around, using its vast reserves of torque to keep pace with traffic with almost no effort.

Our test was too short for an accurate fuel economy reading, but customers should have little problem hitting the claimed figure of 7.6 litres per 100km.

It’s not easy to test the dynamics of a car in the city, but the XC60 wouldn’t win gold in any handling Olympics. It is predictable enough, but with a fair degree of body roll in bends, which comes as a surprise given this is absent from rival vehicles such the BMW X3 and larger Ford Territory.

The suspension copes well with potholes and broken surfaces.

The power steering is well weighted and gives a good idea of where the car is on the road.

As for the interior, the test car had a two-tone brown and cream dashboard door trim combined with woodgrain, giving it an upmarket look.

Headroom and legroom are ample for all five occupants in the spacious XC60.

The old D5 XC60 was an enjoyable vehicle, but the new one is even more fun to drive. If you are looking to buy a compact SUV, do yourself a favour and test the D5 diesel XC60. It isn’t cheap, but it is impressive.

Click to share

Click below to follow us on
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

GoAuto can help you buy a new XC60

Customer Terms and Conditions – New Car Lead enquires

Agreement

This is an agreement between GoAutoMedia Pty Limited ACN 094 732 457 of PO Box 18, Beach Road, Sandringham, VIC, 3191 (“we/us”), the owner and operator of the GoAuto.com.au website (“the website”) and the person wanting GoAuto.com.au to provide them with a lead for the purchase of a new car (“you”).

By completing a New Car Lead Enquiry, you agree to the terms and conditions and disclaimers and acknowledge the policies set out below.

Terms and Conditions

  • In order for us to effect a lead you must you must complete a New Car Lead Enquiry (“Enquiry”).
  • We will call you as soon as possible after you complete the Enquiry and certainly no later than the next business day. When we call, we will discuss with you your new car requirements.
  • You consent to our passing on the Enquiry and your requirements to an appropriate authorised motor car dealer as a lead.
  • We will contact you again in approximately eight days following your initial enquiry to check on the progress of the Enquiry.
  • While we will provide the dealer with the Enquiry and details of your new car requirements, we take no responsibility for what happens after passing on that material as a lead.
  • You acknowledge that we are a new car information service providing new car editorial information, pictures and prices to our customers as a guide only. Any new car prices published on the website are the manufacturers’ recommended retail prices and do not include delivery charges and on-road costs. Any authorized motor car dealer to which we pass on your Enquiry as a lead will provide you with full details of the price at which the vehicle will be sold to you.
  • You acknowledge that we do not sell motor vehicles. Any sale of a new car to you by a dealer after we have passed on your Enquiry to that dealer as a lead, is a sale by that dealer not by us.

Privacy Policy– New Car Lead Enquires

  • We take privacy very seriously. We understand that you will only complete an Enquiry if you can trust us to protect your personal information and use it appropriately. Our policy is to ensure that the personal information collected when you make an Enquiry is only used for the purposes of connecting you with an authorised motor car dealer.
  • We do not on-sell information collected from you or any other customer.
  • From time to time, we may email you with information or promotions that may be relevant for car buyers. You will continue to receive communications from us unless you tell us that you do not want to receive any advertising or promotional information in the future by unsubscribing from these communications.
close
* Denotes required field
** Australian inquiries only

XC60 pricing

Motor industry news

GoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events.

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here