2010 Volvo XC60 test drive

With all the horrific news on the sales front, Volvo couldn't have possibly picked a worse time to launch an important new model, in this case the 2010 XC60.It competes in what Volvo calls the "Small Premium Utility" segment which is populated by the established BMW X3, the Acura RDX, the Infiniti EX35, the recently-introduced Lexus RX350 and Mercedes-Benz GLK, and the upcoming Audi Q5. The question is simple: Does it have the goods to compete? And the answer, as usual, is very complicated.

Think "Volvo" and what first comes to mind? Safety, of course, and with its City Safety package, standard on all XC60s, Volvo is charting new territory in the area of preventing and mitigating low speed, under-20-miles-per-hour mishaps. (City Safety will spread to other Volvo models--the upcoming S60 sedan which was previewed in concept form last month at the North American International Automobile Show will likely get it next--as they are refreshed or replaced.)
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thetruth01 - 2/9/2009 3:07:34 PM

+1 Boost

The RX350 does not belong in that list of competitors. Lexus has no entry level luxury cute-ute. The RX competes (kicks ass) against the MDX, X5, ML, FX and Q7.

LUXCAR32 - 2/9/2009 6:00:26 PM

+3 Boost

I agree. Every once in awhile when I read about the cars coming into this segment in the next year they lump in the RX with competitors. The Lexus RX competes with cars like the ML and FX that seat five and are just a little smaller than the X5 and GLK. RX is clearly bigger than this segment.

mikeydred20 - 2/9/2009 8:31:15 PM

0 Boost

I do not know about kicking the MDX ass maybe sales thats about it, and Acura is the only one capable of haging with Lexus in the sales catergory for this segment

commander104 - 2/9/2009 10:23:45 PM

0 Boost

all I know is that a man can drive an mdx w/o losing too much masculinity compared to a RX. Also traditionally, a volvo is something we buy our wives to be safe in while we driving something with a little more kick.

woood - 2/10/2009 1:19:14 AM

0 Boost

Exactly why the XC60 has City Safety feature. Your wives can drive and text because the vehicle, if getting too close to something in front, will brake by itself and keep a safe distance, if the driver is not paying attention or asleep. As long as its under 20 mph.