Volvo XC60: A worthy contender in today’s mid-sized luxury SUV market?

BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Volkswagen. Don’t forget Volvo.

The brand’s entry into the luxury mid-size SUV market, its XC60 B5, offers everything expected in the class.

It’s roomy, quiet, comfortable and somewhat quick–and for those who need more quickness, check out the 455-horsepower T8 drivetrain.

Power in our tester came from a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four paired with what Volvo calls a mild hybrid system. Total output is 247 horsepower.

The XC60 is easy to get in and out of. It looks elegant. The interior, at least on our tester, tastefully blended together wood and aluminum accents.

The back seat, in particular, felt extremely open and roomy. No C-pillar right there next to your head. I’d happily sit back there for some hours on the highway. Plus, you get your own HVAC controls.

While I’d prefer a few more physical controls up front, the switches and knobs present offer a solid click. It sounds trivial, but Volvo’s window and mirror controls could be the world standard. Or, at least, they’re better than many others.

So, that one control we gotta mention: Volvo’s crystal shifter. It’s, well, it’s distinctive. Maybe a little too bougie for me. Rock it forward or backward to engage thrust, although park involves a button. (I do miss the old-school PRNDL.)

Equally Volvo: the console-mounted ignition knob to start and stop the engine.

How much for all of this? Our test car lists a starting MSRP of $57,000. Adding in the options–22-inch wheels, air suspension, Bowers & Wilkins sound and a $1735 trailer hitch–bumps that figure to $68,245.

Is this a worthy alternative to the usual in a rather packed class of upmarket European SUVs?

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