The 2011 Volvo XC60 is a stylish family hauler, but it doesn’t sacrifice function for fashion. Its turbocharged engine is speedy, and the interior is well-made and comfortable.
Diehard Volvo fans – the ones who idolize the boxy Volvos of the 1980s – probably won’t care much for the 2011 Volvo XC60. Unlike past Volvos, the 2011 Volvo XC60 actually fits in with other luxury compact SUVs, and its sleek, Euro styling looks better than most of the competition. The XC60 even wins extra points for its comfortable, family-friendly cabin and good performance with its available turbocharged engine. What might end up winning over old-school Volvophiles are the 2011 Volvo XC60's crash test scores, which are so good that Insurance Institute of Highway Safety named it a “Top Safety Pick.”
Like most reviewers, Edmunds likes the 2011 Volvo XC60, saying “These days, the manufacturer's lineup stands out not just for safety features but also for distinctive good looks and appealing performance. A perfect example is the 2011 Volvo XC60."
If you choose the 2011 Volvo XC60, you will have to make some tradeoffs. While it has one of the lowest starting prices in the class, you do have to pay extra for all-wheel drive and the available turbocharged engine. When you get the turbocharged engine, which is the one most reviewers recommend, fuel economy suffers. But, the 2011 Volvo XC60 has some features the competition can’t match. The most outstanding one is Volvo’s City Safety system, which can sense impending collisions at slow speeds and stop the 2011 Volvo XC60 without any driver input. On the other hand, not all of the 2011 Volvo XC60's technology is so great. Reviewers complain that the available navigation system is hard to use.
But if you’re looking for a luxury SUV and aren’t interested in navigation or a turbocharged engine, the 2011 Volvo XC60 is a comfortable, affordable and safe choice for families.