Strength and Safety is volvos winning formula

The Volvo XC60 the car that was so impressive because of its safety credentials, has now gone on to win another crown – as overall winner of the towcar awards 2009.

I recently towed a caravan to the lakes with the Volvo Crossover and found it made light work of the steady inclines in top gear.

When it was introduced in late last year (2008) it made headlines because it was fitted with a world fiest “City Safety” system which uses radar to monitor traffic up to six meters in front of the vehicle. the System automatically applies the brakes to avoid or reduce the effects of an accident if it detects a collision is imminent and the driver hasnt reacted.

Now, the D5 SE Geartronic model has towed away the honours, pulling more marks than any of its rivals, which included the Audi A5, Jaguar XF, Skoda Superb, Jeep Cherokee and Vauxhall Insignia.

Each car was marked on its towing ability, practicality and cost of ownership (purchase price, running costs and resale values).

On the road assessments included measuring vehicle stability, hill starts (for handbrake strength and traction), acceleration and breaking tests.

More good news for XC60 fans is that two new diesel engines with more power and lower emissions have been added to the range.

A new 2.4D lower CO2 emitting DRIVe version cuts CO2 output from 199g/km to 159g/km while boosting power to 175PS.

I was driving the 185PS five cylinder diesel but 2010 model year D5 variants will benefit from a 20PS pwer increase to 205PS and a reduction in emissions to 183g/km.

The Volco XC60 is Volvos safest car available when you tot up the features, some fitted as standard like the City Safety crash avoidance, others as extra price options like the lane deviaition warning which emitts beeps alerting the driver who wanders from the straight and narrow without indicating.

In addition, an adaptive cruise control and colision warning system will beep and flash to warn the driver if there is danger of a collision.

Also the excellent “blind Spot” overtaking alert with an orange light flashes in your wing mirror to let you know if a car is coming up and about to overtake.

There are three trim levels – S which includes lockable load floor where you could securely keep your laptop for example, cruise control, and rear seats that split 40/20/40 and can be lowered flat in one fingertip ation.

Moving up, the SE adds more goodies including hill descent control, drivers power seat and electric mirrors.

Top trim is the SE Lux which adds powered passenger seat, heated leather. Nordic light oak trim, heated washer nozzles plus a few other items like latger 19in alloys.

Price range for the entry level is £24,995 for the 2.4D DRIVe S model with City Safety as standard.

VOLVO XC60 D5 SE AWD 5-dr
2.4 Litre Diesel
185PS
130mph (top speed)
127mph combined mpg
OTR Price: £25,750