Edmunds Technology Review: 2010 Volvo XC60
As Volvo's first dedicated crossover, the 2010 XC60 has helped the Swedish automaker move further away from its dowdy and outdated image of building only safe and sturdy but bland and boxy vehicles. With the XC60, Volvo has created a sexy and sporty crossover while bolstering the company's reputation for innovative safety technology and also offering the kind of cool gadgets that appeal to geeks as well as regular folks.
The T6 AWD version that we tested (sticker $44,240) had all the bells and whistles: premium audio, navigation, Bluetooth and safety and convenience features galore. But we found that the vehicle's tech experience can be very hit or miss.
Audio: The Dynaudio Premium Sound System that's part of a $2,700 Multimedia Package option consist of 12 speakers powered by 650 watts. Unlike the Dynaudio system in the Volvo C70, there's no dedicated subwoofer, But with a 6.5-inch woofer in each front door (along with a 4-inch midrange and tweeter) there's no real lack of low bass. The woofers up front, in fact, help avoid the dreaded bass-in-the-back syndrome that plagues many systems with trunk-mounted subs. Except for the typical over-emphasis of midbass and slight harshness on the high end, the system for the most part accurately reproduced our test tracks. Soundstaging was expansive and imaging was distinct, thanks in part to a two-speaker center-channel setup that anchors the center image. In addition to two-channel stereo, Dolby Pro Logic II processing and a 3 Channel mode can be used on all sources except the radio and the aux in. The XC60's audio system also allows for myriad ways to tweak the sound, including separate front and rear equalization, subwoofer level adjustment and custom EQ settings to optimize the sound for the driver's seat, the front seats and the rear. On board audio sources include a single CD player with AM/FM HD Radio and Sirius satellite radio. 
iPod/MP3 Integration: Like an increasing number of automakers, Volvo allows plugging an iPod into the XC60's center-console USB port using the computer-connection cable that comes with the device. We welcome this trend and applaud auto manufacturers for not gouging customers by charging them for a proprietary accessory iPod-connection cable. And even if a bespoke cable is included with a car, using the ubiquitous USB cable makes more sense because most iPod owners usually have a spare in case one gets lost. The XC60's iPod controls, unfortunately, aren't so straightforward and simple. Music can be accessed on the device using the four-way rocker switch in the center stack and the adjacent ENTER button and radio tuning knob. Steering-wheel buttons and the navigation control on the backside of the steering wheel can also be used to skip through individual tracks once you get to the album or playlist you want. Not only are the main controls low on the center stack, but they're also positioned closer to the passenger side of the car. Plus, the interface isn't intuitive and simple to operate compared to other vehicles. And instead of using the large color screen in the center stack, iPod menu and track information appears on the smaller monochromatic display on the top of the dash. Music files can also be accessed on a USB drive plugged into the USB port in the center console, although using the same menu structure and control for an iPod, and next to the USB port is an aux-in jack. 
Navigation: A DVD-based nav system that's also part of the Multimedia package works well, and fortunately doesn't have to be controlled through the four-way rocker switch in the center stack. But the controls located on the back of the steering wheel take some getting used to. Our time with the vehicle left us longing for dash-mounted controls, as with most OEM nav systems. But the Volvo navigation system does have a unique wireless remote control that's designed for passengers' use and has limited function when the vehicle is in motion. The nav system also receives Real Time Traffic information.
Bluetooth: The XC60's hands-free phone system also has it share of quirks. It took several attempts to successfully pair a phone, in part because the system timed out unusually quickly during the process. Once it paired with a phone, the system automatically downloaded the device's address book. But searching for contacts wasn't easy since it's done using the telephone-like keypad in the center stack that finds contacts based on the first letter assigned to that particular key, which requires multiple presses -- and too much attention away from driving. A search can also be done using the four-way rocker switch in the center stack or the steering-wheel buttons, although these two methods also aren't convenient. Otherwise, answering and ending calls using the steering wheel buttons is straightforward, as is dialing a number using the keypad in the center stack. But the latter isn't what we consider hands-free compared to Bluetooth systems that have voice activation, although the XC60's system will work with a phone that has a voice-dialing feature. 
Safety: If the XC60's tech is lacking in other areas, when it comes to safety the vehicle is cutting edge. Volvo debut its City Safety technology on XC60, which is designed to prevent fender benders during stop-and-go urban driving. (The system works at speeds under 18 miles an hour.) Using a LIDAR transmitter and receiver mounted in the windshield behind the rearview mirror (below), the system keeps an electronic eye out for vehicles that have slowed or stopped in front. If City Safety detects that the XC60 could rear end the vehicle it's following, the system can automatically apply the brakes to bring the car to a halt and avoid a collision. City Safety is standard on the XC60, and our test car also had other safety technologies as part of the $2,695 Climate & Child Seat & Technology option package:
- Distance Alert, which works in conjunction with adaptive cruise control to warn with a flashing red light on the dash if a car in front is too close;
- Collision Warning with Auto Brake, which flashes a warning light plus sounds an audible alarm and pre-charges the brakes to prepare for sudden stop;
- Lane Departure Warning, which signals when the car leaves its lane;
- Driver Alert Control, which displays a warning in the instrument panel if it senses that the vehicle is weaving inside its lane.
Tech Extras: Being an entry-level luxury crossover, the XC60 offers amenities such as heated front seats, heated windshield washer nozzles and a high-pressure headlamp cleaning system, all as part of the Climate & Child & Technology Package, and a rearview camera that's part of the Multimedia package. The vehicle also comes with standard conveniences such as hill descent control, heated/power outside mirrors and push-button start.
With its chic styling and sporty performance, the XC60 goes a long way in transfomring Volvo's image, while the vehicle's pioneering safety technology reinforces that the company is still the leader in this area, which other automakers have been moving in on of late. If only the vehicle's other tech wasn't as hit and miss, then the XC60 would be an unqualified hit.
Edmunds Tech Ratings (10 is best): 2010 Volvo XC60
Audio: 8
Portable Media/iPod Integration: 5
Navigation: 7
Bluetooth: 5
Safety: 9
Tech Extras: 8
Overall Average Score: 7
- Posted by
- Doug Newcomb October 19, 2009, 5:00 PM
- Permalink
- Categories:
- Automotive Technology, Car Audio and Electronics, Test Cars and Car Reviews, Volvo
"The woofers up front, in fact, help avoid the dreaded bass-in-the-back syndrome that plagues many systems with trunk-mounted subs."
I love bass-in-the-back! I have a 10-inch sub in the trunk of my car and I love it! :-)
Doug, I know this is unrelated to the topic, but could your blog PLEASE make a review of aftermarket amps, subs and speakers? When I was buying my car's system, all I had to rely on were user reviews on Crutchfield........ I'd love Edmunds' reviews.
"Not only are the main controls low on the center stack, but they're also positioned closer to the passenger side of the car."
The fact that the controls are 1 or 2 inches closer to passenger side of the car is irrelevant. The issue is whether they are within comfortable reach of driver and front-seat passenger, which they are. By your logic, all controls, such as the tuning knob, would have to be on the left-hand side of the center stack to make them closer to the driver side.
Furthermore, the controls are not low on the center stack. The audio control are in fact the the uppermost set of controls on center stack at a comfortable height.
"But the remote requires removing a hand from the wheel."
The navigation remote control is for passenger use. Without it, a passenger would have no means of operating the navigation system.
You are completely wrong as to how CitySafety works. The camera above the mirror is for Lane Departure Warning only, and has nothing to do with CitySafety. The radar unit in the grille is used for Adaptive Cruise Control, Distance Alert, and Collision Warning with AutoBrake. Those are included only with the Technology Package.
If you had done your homework and looked closer at the area above the rearview mirror, you would have seen the three lasers that monitor reflective surfaces in front of the vehicle (like tail lights, painted or chrome surfaces, etc) and following distances along with driver inputs (steering, braking) and determines if an accident is imminent. If so, and the driver does not take evasive action, the car will slam on the brakes with all available braking force. With closing speeds of 0-9 MPH it can usually avoid an accident completely, and from 10-18 it can normally avoid, but will certainly mitigate damages. CitySafety only works as a last-second avoidance system, and is overridden automatically if the driver swerves or brakes on their own. It also releases the brakes automatically in case the driver needs to move so they don't get rear ended.
Calhon is also correct about the intent of the remote control for the navigation- it is not to be used by the driver. It is intended for passenger convenience. The whole point of putting the nav controls on the steering wheel is so the driver can keep both hands on the wheel. Giving them something that requires taking their hands off the wheel would be counter-intuitive, no?
Again, I've been noticing more errors caused by not fully researching new systems on vehicles, and bad information being given to consumers is not a good thing. More homework and accurate information is certainly appreciated.
And no, I don't work for Volvo.
The camera is also used by CWAB (to better distinguish between moving and stationary vehicles, and generally improve detection reliability) and by Driver Alert Control.
The laser sensors are also used to detect impending collisions at all speeds in order to prepare the airbags, seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters based on the severity of the expected collision.
@calhon, "The navigation remote control is for passenger use. Without it, a passenger would have no means of operating the navigation system."
Agreed. Also tremendously odd to state that the remote control is "much easier to operate than the steering-wheel controls" when they use exactly the same controls (4-way arrows, Enter, Back), and then to top it off to complain that aforementioned remote requires taking hands off the wheel, when Volvos are in fact essentially the only cars that *don't* require taking hands off the wheel to operate the nav. The nav on this car has faults, but it would be more helpful to relay the real negative aspects rather than redefining the positive aspects as negatives.
@blackadder5639: From an audiophile standpoint low bass should be up front with the rest of the soundstage. Otherwise it's like going to a concert with the drummer and bass player positioned behind the audience. But sound "quality" is subjective and I firmly believe you should listen to your system the way you want to. We have reviews of aftermarket speakers and subs planned, and our first aftermarket audio test, of a Pioneer head unit, will go live any day now at this link: http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/audio/articles/159027/article.html
@calhon: I stand by my opinion that the iPod controls are inconveniently placed. I prefer them higher on the dash, as in the Infiniti FX35 and FX50. Or better yet, on the steering wheel. You're correct about the nav remote being for passenger use, which Volvo pointed out after the review posted. But I still found the steering wheel controls cumbersome compared to other, dash-mounted controls. And, again, I prefer steering wheel controls/voice activation.
@cheslin: You're correct about the camera in the windshield not being used for City Safety (see the added pic above). We research and fact-check every article before it publishes, and we had someone from Volvo read over the post immediately after it went live. The only thing that was pointed out to us was the info about the nav remote. Glad we have eagle-eyed and informed readers to keep us straight. Changes to the original post have been made.