CTC Review: 2010 Volvo XC60

[wing]

Perhaps but 5 cars lengths is plenty.

Signed 100% accident free.

[safristi]

 5 of these....................L  e   n   g   t   h   s....................

[opg21]

5 car lengths is plenty...at a certain speed. At a higher speed it might be far too little. Travelling at 60 mph, it takes maybe 130 ft to stop, plus the time it takes to react to a situation and hit the breaks. If you travel 50 ft in that time, you need 180 ft to stop. So that might be 5 car lengths for a 1976 Pontiac Parisienne, but in anything else you'd pile into the car ahead.

A set distance is meaningless without considering speed.

[wing]

Trust me, go test drive the XC60 you'll be annoyed, as you slow down for a red light and you approach the vehicle ahead of you a bright red light flashes in your face.

[ktm525]

If one needs a flashing red light on the dash to notify the driver that he is appoaching another car well it is time for that driver to TAKE THE BUS! and do the rest of us a favour.

[inco]

Flashing lights would be a distraction and could actually cause an accident. Can they be turned off say when in city traffic and then used on the highway? That makes more sense to me if so.

[wing]

yes there is a button to turn the system off.

[Shnak]

Flashing lights would be a distraction and could actually cause an accident. Can they be turned off say when in city traffic and then used on the highway? That makes more sense to me if so.

I agree, it should only warn you when you're getting too close to another car when driving over 60kph or something.

[wing]

I disagree, why do I need a light, the car is right there in front of me!  Perhaps I pay too much attention?

I think it is good if there is a sudden speed differential that you may not notice but at the same speed?

[carsncars]

I can see where wing is coming from. The "you're following too closely" light is really quite over-cautious. It should be speed and acceleration-dependent, and maybe activate only when the driver is consistently following too close or the car calculates a collision to be fairly probable. Like wing said: coming to a traffic light and stopping behind another vehicle will cause it to light up. And I don't think anyone argues that one should stop 5 car lengths behind the car in front for the sake of safety. The first thing my dad asked was "how do you turn it off"? CitySafety was neat (the dealer demonstrated it with an inflatable object) but ultimately wouldn't be something I'd spring that much money for.

When we were shopping for my dad, we loved the XC60 but for two things--fuel economy and price. While the T6 engine Volvo's used was fantastic on the test drive, we couldn't see using or needing its capabilities enough to justify the rather high fuel consumption numbers. I'll be interested to see what wing's numbers are. I think Volvo should've brought a more fuel efficient powerplant first rather than sway people away with the fuel economy numbers (I'd love for them to have brought the diesel--would've made a good media splash too).

Second was the price. Sure, it starts at a tuck under $45K, but bring it up to a respectable specification and you're looking at at $55K. I'd take an X3 (which gets better fuel economy!) before that.

But yeah--loved the design, the seats, the functionality, and the interior (though, wing, do your front passengers sometimes find the metallic strip at the top of the center stack is ill positioned when it comes to glare from the sun?).

Went with an A4 Avant in the end. Dad finally decided it was time to give up the high seating position.

[ktm525]

Your Dad is a very smart man.

[Shnak]

I disagree, why do I need a light, the car is right there in front of me!  Perhaps I pay too much attention?

I think it is good if there is a sudden speed differential that you may not notice but at the same speed?

But with this system, you won't be bumper-humping the other car, which means sudden speed differential won't ever be a problem.

If well-calibrated (i.e. only activated when going faster than 50kph), but I like this system. Nothing wrong with passive safety.

Besides, based on the number of people I see every day driving way too close to the car in front of them, I think this system could benefit a LOT of people...

[adjutor]

Maybe that those who need this annoying ang distracting system to drive safely should not be driving. There is a limit to be taken by the hand.

[inco]

Some where once upon a time not too long ago I thought I read a review that this puppy uses regular fuel. Now I have checked both US and CDN websites and they make no mention of the type of fuel required.

Wing - what does the manual say - or the gas cap?  Yesterday I aw one in that exact colour too - nice.

[wing]

I'll let you know when I head to the pumps ... probably Monday!

[kenm]

Maybe that those who need this annoying ang distracting system to drive safely should not be driving. There is a limit to be taken by the hand.

Not a chance. We need every single electronic nanny that can possibly be installed in a vehicle; then we can get rid of all those annoying driving tasks and focus on the important stuff like texting, eating, and websurfing.

[inco]

"then we can get rid of all those annoying driving tasks and focus on the important stuff like texting, eating, and websurfing."

And put them on public trtansportation where they belong.

[Johnson Howard]

This vehicle is wayyyy overpriced for something that was designed by FORD under the name of Volvo and that shares so much parts and underpinnings with other ford cars.
I never really understood volvo...what are they charging for?? they think they're a premium brand worthy of mention alongside bmw and mercedes benz...lol

[huota]

This vehicle is wayyyy overpriced for something that was designed by FORD under the name of Volvo and that shares so much parts and underpinnings with other ford cars.

What a well informed posting - not. Just because Volvo Cars are part of Ford Motor Company does not mean their cars are designed by FORD. I suppose you feel the same way about Toyota, Honda and Nissan and their luxury brands, too.

[ktm525]

Hmmm this XC60 loaded out is almost the exact price of a completely loaded A6 Avant (Special edition, sport package, S-line). Put in this context the Volvo pricing seems ridiculous.

On a side note I think I have found the car to replace my VR (see above).