2010 Volvo XC60

Looking at the 2010 Volvo XC60, my first impression is of a clean, sleek interior that’s easy to love. The two-tone leather seats give it a little sizzle and the light wood trim make the ambiance quite chic. The cabin is perfect for toting cargo and the family, with its ample leg room and rear seats that fold down to create plenty of load space.

Although I didn’t get a chance to take one for a spin, since it won’t be in the showroom until March 7, most reviews show the XC60 demonstrates responsive, car-like handling, which would be one of my top priorities in comparison shopping for in a crossover.

The clean, sleek interior

Of course, with Volvo you have to talk safety. The 2010 XC60 delivers on that front. Volvo says this car is the safest it’s ever produced. Especially intriguing is a new feature that comes standard called City Safety, which uses a combination of cameras and sensors to detect an imminent collision to the front of the vehicle and should eliminate low-speed accidents. At speeds 18mph and under, the car actually brakes on its own if the driver fails to react. I think that’s cool, even if I am a perfectly attentive driver and, of course, never would have to rely on such a device.

This is a Volvo, so let me say a bit more about safety features. With the XC60 there is an optional Collision Avoidance Package which includes, among other features, adaptive cruise control, distance alert warning, and lane departure warning. When you combine all of the XC60’s safety features, you’re sure to receive a lot of feedback from your car to help you drive safe and sound.

With all this talk of safety, don’t let me fool you into thinking the Volvo XC60 lacks style and sophistication. I really like where Volvo has been taking their designs in the past years. The profile of this vehicle gives it a sporty look, but a look through the rear door will tell you it has all the space you are looking for in a crossover. I really love the way the taillights flow down from the top of the rear end and flare out around the fenders to create an alluring effect that brings out the elegant curves of the body.

So to give you my impression of this vehicle—the XC60 is definitely a safe choice, but that doesn’t mean it’s a boring one.