Hot on the heels of the excellent XC90 update, Volvo's new compact 4x4 may prove to be the Swedish marque's most adventurous creation to date.
Adventurous is not a word synonymous with the Ford-owned Swedish carmaker, but the new XC60 is in one of the market's most hotly contested sectors. As family buyers increasingly look to smaller, more affordable 4x4s in these cost-conscious times, carmakers have been quick to fill the niche with the likes of the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Land Rover Freelander.
But critics might wonder whether Volvo's pocket off-roader really cuts the mustard against the big three.
The XC60 at least looks the part. It's freshly styled, and Volvo seems to have taken on board the latest styling cues from the likes of the Qashqai and Q5, moving away from the more traditional 4x4 looks of the Freelander and avoiding the messy lines of the new Subaru Forester.
With an enlarged front grille moulded around a creased, low-riding (and, the marque says, more pedestrian-safe) bonnet, the XC60's nose gives rise to a well-proportioned, sculpted wedge that creates a sharp, contemporary look.
The compact 4x4 fits within the footprint of a standard XC70 wagon, yet offers enough SUV space for five adults with luggage to travel in comfort. It boasts more front and rear legroom than a BMW X3, and has more cargo capacity (495 litres, as opposed to 480 litres) with the rear seats upright.
