I’ve been test driving a lot of vehicles lately thanks to DriveShop and discovering what I like and dislike about cars, vans, and SUVs. I recently checked out the 2016 Volvo XC60 T6 and fell in love with a number of the features like the cargo capacity, sunroof, comfort, and safety record. There were a few “misses” with the Volvo XC60 that surprised me though. Overall, if you’re searching for a comfortable, stylish family vehicle with tons of hauling space, this hits the mark.
The Volvo XC60 T6 is definitely stylish. Standard profile features include 20-inch alloy wheels, a power sunroof, LED running lights, and heated power-adjustable outside mirrors. The sunroof is huge with options for opening in the front and back. It let in a ton of light, which is a major plus in sunny California. The lines are sleek and it’s not at all boxy yet it doesn’t take away from interior space.
The cargo capacity was the most impressive feature for me. With up to 30.8 cubic feet behind the second row and 67.4 cubic with the 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats folded, I was dreaming about all of the yard sale finds that I could fit back there and the potential for cross-country trips.
As a mother, safety features always come to mind when I’m driving a new vehicle. Standard safety features include dual front, front-side, and side curtain airbags for both rows of seating. A standout safety feature that’s standard in all Volvos is City Safety, an automatic emergency braking system that uses radar to detect if there’s an obstacle in front of the car and applies full braking power at speeds below 30 mph if the driver fails to react. Additional safety and driver assistance features include adaptive cruise control with queue assist and distance control, and lane departure warning.
When it comes to comfort, the 2016 Volvo XC60 T6 was one of my favorite rides. The seats fit like a glove and the steering wheel was soft to the touch. I’m a huge fan of leather seats with a child. They are easy to clean and look fantastic, but if the leather is black it can be very hot to sit on after being in the sun. Thankfully, the interior of the Volvo XC60 was tan and never felt too hot against the skin. There were power-adjustable front seats, full power accessories, memory for driver settings, telescoping tilt-wheel steering, and keyless entry and ignition; all of which made the Volvo XC60 a noticeably comfortable ride.
While it was top of the line for comfort, there were a few missing features that would have made it stand out even more. There are two cup holders between the front seats but no place for a phone or other stuff that collects in a vehicle. The empty space above the gear shift could have easily been used for storage. Also, there were no arm rests for the driver or passenger seats and the center console wasn’t adjustable to be used as a make-shift arm rest.
While there are a few missing minor details, the overall comfort, generous standard features, cargo capacity, and legendary Volvo attention to safety result in great option for a family vehicle.
