Second-generation Volvo XC60

For about nine decades, Volvo has been the only Swedish car company in the world to create different kinds of cars that appeal to most people. They made good cars, they made bad cars, it's all about following the circle of life, whatever that is. With Volvo making some of the best cars that appeal to today's millennials in terms of performance, economy, and safety, which is their focal point for Volvo since the XC60. With the XC60, the forefront of Volvo's commitment to create safe cars, now enters its second-generation, the Swedish car company behind this car don't just predict the future, they build it.

2018 Volvo XC60

2018 Volvo XC60

Yes, the XC60 is the brains behind Volvo's safe promises and because it's now on its second-generation, the team that designed it promises to be their most safest XC60 yet, incorporating all their safety know-how from their current lineup to this crossover as well as performance and economy at the same time, making it a well-balanced package for the modern world. Beginning with the exterior design, the new XC60 looks more like a mini-me XC90 of some sorts. There's the signature Volvo grille, the signature Thor's Hammer headlights, the contemporary styling that blends perfectly through the city centers, the rear view auspiciously similar to the XC90, and the wheels, everything you look on this crossover is just almost flawless and that's only the half of the story.

2018 Volvo XC60 interior

On the inside, the new XC60 is suffering the same problem as the other new Volvos because it now bears a monotonous interior design as you would expect from BMW, Audi, or even Renault. This "same-interior-different-exterior" approach is getting too nosy for car lovers but while you mutter about this kind of trend everywhere else, the XC60 boasts a plethora of tech features and concessions of comfort and space that will keep you accommodated for more but as a word of warning, this interior is a war zone in here because this five-seater will be as exhausting as an after-school Citizen Army Training regimen and when the second-row seats got occupied by those child seats, this means war. As long as this interior hasn't turned into a war zone, you are greeted by those luxury car features that will keep you longing for more. From the touch screen, the instrumental panel, the climate control, the Bowers & Wilkins premium stereo, the XC60 is a luxury crossover done right from start to finish.

2018 Volvo XC60

Of course, being a Volvo, you can expect a wide variety of petrol and diesel engine choices available but for those who are begging for power should go for this; the T8 Twin Engine with 407ps of power output courtesy of its twin-charged 2.0L petrol engine and an electric motor. With the 8-speed gearbox and SPA platform, a first for a 60-series Volvo model which is lighter and more rigid than the old XC60, it does 0-100kph in 5.3 seconds and onwards to 230kph. That sounds juicy and quick for a hybrid variant like this but now's not the good time to talk about how fun this car is, even though by Volvo standards, it's not half bad to drive, although in the case of the T8 Twin Engine variant, its all-wheel drive system is tad crazy and bizarre because the petrol engine powers the front wheels only, whereas its electric motor drives the rears, and if you're not careful with it, understeering is very likely and expect to bring some painkillers when your arms got hurt from steering with it.

Apart from the improved chassis that makes the XC60 a well-rounded performer at all corners of the earth, safety is the paramount of this crossover because it comes with class-leading safety tech such as Steer Assist, Oncoming Lane Mitigation, and Blind Spot Information System. Combining these with Volvo's award-winning safety features, the new XC60 lives up to Volvo's commitment that no one will be killed or badly wounded in a new Volvo by 2020.

The all-new Volvo XC60 starts at 402,900 Swedish Krona and while this is twice as expensive as the previous model, which is still on sale as the XC60 Classic, it's less expensive than the XC90, making it a fair value. It maybe expensive for an SUV like this but the new XC60's technological breakthrough should not be underestimated because with such like this, you can expect more from Volvo's promise to create more safe and enjoyable cars for the road ahead.

Available colors: Black Stone SOlid, Ice White Solid, Bright Silver Metallic, Osmium Grey Metallic, Onyx Black Metallic, Luminous Sand Metallic, Mussel Blue Metallic, Maple Brown Metallic, Denim Blue Metallic, Pine Grey Metallic, Fusion Red Metallic, Electric Silver Premium Metallic, and Crystal White Premium Metallic.

Photo: Volvo Cars