2018 World car of the year was awarded to the Volvo XC60

The Volvo XC60 has won the prestigious World Car of the Year 2018 title, with the Range Rover Velar scooping the design award and the British-built Nissan Leaf claiming the title of best green car. And now I am thinking about the very old and clichéd expression so often used by brands:

“If it doesn’t say it’s an ABC, it’s not?”

Fortunately many of our consumers are not that gullible to buy into these marketing tactics – a Volvo is a Volvo – it cannot be confused with anything else even if one puts a different badge on it.The Swedish manufacturer’s cars has always been authentically designed with safety at the foremost of their minds.

Yes, agreed, the Volvo designs have over the past couple of years become exceedingly more exciting than those of the past, but the brands longevity and authenticity is beyond question. The XC60 is Volvo’s bestseller in South Africa and represents 30 per cent of the brand’s global sales.

This is quite remarkable. And again, not unlike with Lexus, I am often astounded that such exceptional cars don’t sell in larger numbers than what they do despite, yes, the fact that only 20 per cent of the buying market can afford vehicles in this price bracket.

But let’s not get lost in the philosophy of the why’s and the how’s of life. Let’s rather talk about something a lot more practical and concrete like the Volvo XC60

 If it looks like a Volvo, it probably is a Volvo

Had to say that just to test your sense of humour. The front end of the XC60, courtesy of those strong design lines along the bonnet, makes for a statement of power and agility. It “widens” the wheel arches and draws the eyes to the even stronger but subtle shoulder lines accentuated by the lines lower down along the doors.

Nothing is too in your face, though. It is exactly and typically Swedish and this is why I find Volvos so attractive. The designs invite you to explore and touch – to meditate on and appreciate. People are at the heart of every Volvo design or so they claim.

And perhaps with this being the Swedish focus, it is why it is so easy to truly connect with a Volvo on such a deep emotional level. Again, I am becoming philosophical… At the rear, the now characteristic Lava-like light clusters, sports a more integrated design.

It’s more defined as a result of the sharp body line just below the clusters and of course, that short sharp shoulder line. A new bumper design ads to the XC60, presenting a sincerely pleasing look and feel. The XC60 is available in three spec levels: Momentum, Inscription and the R-Design.

It’s not the Empire state – but it’s close

The interior is as luxurious as sitting in a bubble bath-filled tub overlooking the Serengeti while enjoying a good red wine and some dark Swiss chocolate. It is understated, elegant, practical and most features are accessed by simple pressing a button or touching the iPad-like screen on the centre console.

The seats are wide, comfortable and offers a plethora of individual settings. B-pillar ventilation is standard on all derivatives – paddle shifts are available on the R-Design and the list is just endless.

It is definitely one of those cars where it would be wise for you to study the manual and explore different set-ups while the car is stationary, because really, once you start driving you need to be able to focus on the driving experience rather than fiddling around with controls and stuff.

Performance

The short of this, is this: It performs as well as it looks. It rewards and fulfils expectations – it is dynamic and exciting when you floor the accelerator – it soaks up the road – it is solid around the corners (even the really tight ones) and driving it along the Barberton Makhonjwa Geo Trail with its many twisties and short straights like we did the past weekend, is pure tantalising enjoyment.

The test vehicle was the D5 AWD R-Design kitted with a super smooth eight-speed autobox – beautiful! With 173kW and 480Nm on tap, the choice of different driving modes, disappointment is not part of the XC60’s vocabulary. It may well even raise the eyebrows (just a tad) of the Golf brigade between the traffic lights.

The Volvo will certainly have the edge in terms of comfort and safety though! What I did find surprising though, is the lightness of the steering irrespective of speed. But then again, it is quite large so the light steering makes manoeuvring in tight and overcrowded parking spaces a breeze.

And with all the various warning features, if you really want to annoy that other driver who parks over two parking bays, you can get in really, really close and force them to use the passenger door for entrance and exit.

Luxury and safety features

Sensus Connect You have a choice of two sound systems: premium sound or high performance sound – both by Bowers and Wilkins. Sensus Connect allows for full and fine control of whatever your choice of music as well as trouble-free and seamless navigation.

Intellisafe Volvos have been equipped with safety cages and laminated windows since 1944. The XC60, not unlike other Volvos, can scan the environment around you.

City Safe, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind spot information and Tracker Connect are but some of the many undercover systems which ensure that the risks of you being injured during and accident, are minimised as much as is possible.

Drive-E Volvo’s four cylinder engines have not been designed to equal or beat the performance of much larger engines but to outdo them completely on emission and enviro-friendliness. Conclusion It’s a Volvo – there is no quibble and it’s worth the title of World Car of the Year! Pricing on the XC60 starts at R664 000 and also offers various options for customisation.

Just stop the bickering and go and test drive one – today!