While we’ve grown used to the exterior styling of the XC60, the interior was always reminiscent of Volvos in the range at the time.
You’ll feel instantly at home if you’ve ever experienced one before, the location and style of the switches, dials and buttons lifted directly from other models. It’s none the worse for it either, with neat touches such as the floating console with storage space behind it rather than in front – though not much will actually fit and you can’t see it.
The simplified ventilation controls with their easy to read graphics are a highlight too, though the knobs for temperature and audio volume look and feel the same, so its easy to confuse them.
As trim levels go there were four to choose from – SE Nav, SE Lux Nav, R-Design Nav and R-Design Lux Nav. Opt for the entry level trim and you got cruise control, hill start assist, parking sensors, and automatic lights and wipers. Inside, the XC60 got climate control, leather seats, electric windows, and a 7.0in Sensus touchscreen infotainment system with sat nav, DAB, Bluetooth and uprated sound system.
Upgrading to SE Lux Nav trim, you found 18in alloys, xenon headlights, keyless entry and electrically adjustable driver’s seat, while the R-Design Nav models get sports suspension, satin silver mirror covers, sports seats, a sporty bodykit and rear diffuser.
The range-topping R-Design Lux Nav trim added a powered tailgate, anodised silver roof rails and an auto-dimming rear view mirror.
It’s the sat-nav that’s the biggest disappointment. Yes it sits in an enclosed pod, unlike some older Volvo models, but it’s the same antiquated and hard to control system that it always was.
Still, the perceived quality and the standard of the materials are excellent, while the seats are comfortable and like the steering wheel, adjustable through a generous range. There’s ample headroom up front with good visibility past the narrow A-pillars and rear seat passengers won’t want for space either. And it’s a Volvo, so the load bay is well proportioned while the 40/20/40 spilt rear seat folds flat into the floor should you need it to.