Car review: Volvo XC60 T5 AWD R-Design

Blindfold the happy owner of an “old” Volvo XC60, seat them in the new one, and they will tell you nothing has changed. The driving position is as perfectly judged as before, controls still fall neatly to hand and everything feels good, solid and familiar.

It is a neat trick for what is actually a totally new car from the wheels up, and it’s easy to see why. The old XC60 is a tour de force: comfy, long-legged and pioneering a host of high-tech anticrash gear. Hence Volvo’s unwillingness to frighten loyal customers. But the new XC60 is a very different beast indeed, as I discovered on a 1,000-mile tour through the Eurotunnel — two teens, wife and tons of luggage on board — to the Loire, back through Paris and home again.

Last year marked the old XC60’s ninth year on sale and, in those final 12 months, it sold more of them than ever. All good things come to an end, however, and now — just as it began to look a little long in the tooth compared with Audi’s Q5, Land Rover’s Discovery Sport and BMW’s X3 — the firm has launched its replacement, costing from £32,935, based on its SPA (scalable product architecture) platform.

Remove that blindfold and the differences are, of course, obvious; dart-like lines replaced by a premium, contemporary look resembling those of the bigger XC90, incorporating a powerful nose and dynamic, sculpted flanks.

Inside — despite that familiar feel — it looks much smarter, with neatly blended lines, fewer buttons, a toggle switch replacing the starter button, a great nine-inch infotainment screen, smart new fabrics, more space and a fantastic (optional) panoramic sunroof.

It is also much lighter and more airy than before. You feel like you’re travelling first class. It is about 62mm longer, 12mm wider and has lost 14mm in height. It is almost as wide as the XC90, but shorter, and “just” a five-seater. The cabin is now more spacious, the boot 10 litres larger and, although slightly down on the class norm, well-shaped and roomy. The retractable boot cover is improved, rising on grooves and locking in place efficiently.

The first big, noticeable difference when you drive off is the steering — lighter, more direct and car-like than before, with a tighter turning circle.

Then you notice the ride, which is more poised and — clever, this — consistent, no matter the load. Vision out is better, especially at junctions — they’ve moved the B pillar further back and the “bird’s-eye” view in the monitor makes reversing a cinematic cinch.