2013 Volvo XC60

By Steve Kursar – 

When you hear the name Volvo, what do you think?  Probably the first two things are safety and Sweden. And, you would be right because the Volvo brand continues to be a leader in automotive safety, and it’s now the only Swedish car brand. The 2013 Volvo XC60 embodies both of those concepts in a very big way as a mid-size crossover wagon that is subtly stylish on the outside, very Swedish on the inside and very safe all around.  

For decades, Volvo pioneered automotive safety technology and car buyers looking for the safest car to drive usually chose the Swedish car brand. In 1999, Ford Motor Company bought Volvo and turned it into just another Ford division where it lost a lot of its brand identity. In 2010, Ford sold it to the Chinese automotive maker, Geely, and lo and behold, Volvo has returned to safety and Swedish design.

If you’re a fan of Swedish design, then you’re going to love the XC60. The interior features a flowing center console that seems to float above the floor, and the dashboard wraps around you in a gentle curve. The materials used are soft, the leather lush and the colors calming.

But now to the safety features that set the XC60 apart from its rivals. The XC60 is the first Volvo equipped with their City Safety feature, a driver support system aimed at preventing or lessening collisions occurring at speeds of 19 mph or less. By utilizing a closing velocity sensor, the XC60 will either pre-charge the brakes or automatically brake the car to help avoid a rear-end collision or lessen its impact.

Another convenient Volvo safety first feature for families with young children is their built-in Dual Two-Stage Integrated Booster Seats with Adaptive Seatbelts. This eliminates the constant putting in and taking out booster seats to accommodate both kids and adults. These booster seats are integrated into the rear seats and even can be adjusted as the children grow. And, when the booster cushions are not needed, they’re easily folded into the rear seat cushions. 

With a MSRP of $35,350, the base XC60 is equipped with a 240 hp, 3.2 liter that gets an estimated 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. If you need a little more power, you can opt for the 300 hp, 3.0-liter turbocharged engine that delivers fuel economy of 17 mpg city and 20 mpg highway. 

Follow Steve Kursur at KursarOnCars.blogspot.com.