The 2014 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD is the total package and it gets top marks for style, safety, performance and price. The 2014 Volvo XC60 is a luxury crossover SUV, offered in various levels of trim with many different engine and drive configurations. In keeping with Volvo’s reputation, the XC60 offers top of class safety ratings along with a plethora of technology and safety features. Also, you will find the old boxy lines of past Volvos have been updated with cleaner, smoother curves and sleeker exterior styling.
ENGINE & DRIVE
The 2014 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD comes equipped with a 3.0L turbo charged six cylinder engine, outputting 325 horsepower and joins a six speed automatic all wheel drive transmission. This engine provides lots of power at all ranges and is both quick off the line and has plenty of power in reserve for overtaking on the highway.
With smooth gear shifts and tons of power, the speedy accelerations made for a thrilling drive! Add Volvo’s steering wheel mounted paddle shifters with “quick shift” technology and you have all the ingredients for a stimulating ride with power, acceleration and control. The 2014 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD has a wide, solid stance and drives more like a car than an SUV.
Unfortunately, the fuel economy did suffer quite a bit from both the high powered engine and the heavy curb weight of the vehicle. The combined city and highway test drive recorded a fuel economy of 11.6 L/100km over 310 km.
DESIGN & SAFETY
First glance at the exterior of the 2014 Volvo XC60 shows a much improved rounded design, over previous Volvos. The smooth and elegant curves of the exterior are also complemented by the accent lines of the hood and sides, giving the XC60 a slightly aggressive look. The rear, although a bit more boxy adds to the muscular look with dual rectangular exhaust. All in all the exterior design is quite pleasing and Volvo did well to let the refined luxury look come through!
The roomy interior feels bright and spacious with lots of headroom. The large windows and almost full length sunroof brightens the interior, while the seamless design with high quality materials give the look of luxury. For a mid-sized SUV with a roomy interior, I did find that storage space was lacking with only two cup holders, small door pockets and a small space hidden behind the dash. The plush leather seating was very comfortable and supportive, especially for longer drives.
The 2014 Volvo XC60 gives the driver a host of features and settings to customize their driving experience. The display can be toggled between Elegant, Eco and Performance themes, the driving mode can be toggled between sport, eco and standard mode, while also providing many options for various settings and safety options.
Despite a few glitches with the folding side mirrors (sometimes wouldn’t unfold when vehicle was unlocked), the overall design and build of the 2014 Volvo XC60 was top notch with high quality materials and attention to quality assembly, which is in keeping with its luxury SUV designation.
With Volvo being synonymous with safety, the 2014 Volvo XC60 definitely lives up to the reputation. Being an IIHS Top Safety Pick + places the XC60 is an elite category of occupant protection and vehicle safety. In addition, the driver is provided with a host of technological safety features including the city safety system for automatic braking, pedestrian detection system for low speeds, adaptive cruise control, driver alert, distance alert, blind spot information system and lane departure warning.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Volvo has a winner with their 2014 XC60 for both performance and value for a mid-sized luxury crossover SUV. The base 2014 Volvo XC60 starts at $39,950 and the as tested 2014 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD Platinum is priced at $57,845. The high quality build and the host of technological and safety features make the 2014 Volvo XC60 a recommended buy if you’re looking for a crossover SUV in the luxury category!
