[Test Drive] The new XC60 caters well to Korean drivers

The new Volvo XC60 B5 AWD Inscription / Courtesy of Volvo Korea

By Kim Hyun-bin


The new Volvo XC60 B5 AWD Inscription has been upgraded further and customized to better suit the Korean market. Over 2,000 of the new models, first unveiled Sept. 14, were sold within the first two weeks of pre-orders becoming available, making it Volvo’s best-selling model.

“Since its first launch in 2009, over 1.68 million XC60s have been sold through the end of last year, and it has led the trend in the sports utility vehicle (SUV) market to become Volvo’s best-selling model,” the company said.

Volvo Korea gave local reporters a chance to test drive the new XC60 B5 AWD Inscription, Tuesday, from the Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul to Cavea Cafe in Paju Gyeonggi Province with an estimated roundtrip of around 115km.

The engine has a 250 horsepower and maximum torque of 35.7kg.m. The XC90 B5 AWD can go from standstill to 100 kilometers per hour in 6.7 seconds. The all-wheel-drive system (AWD) can endure difficult weather and road conditions, supported by an eight-speed transmission.

The new model comes with detailed design and an innovative connectivity and digital service package along with advanced safety technology, the company said.

The highlight for the new XC60 model is the infotainment system that better suits the local driving experience.

“The infotainment system is customized for the Korean market and is the most significant upgrade made to the new XC60 model,” a Volvo Korea official said. “It can not only activate and play music, search latest news and weather but can also be linked to your home to turn on the AC and lights among other things.”

The infotainment system was developed by SK Telecom (SKT) with the Swedish carmaker investing 30 billion won ($25 million) over the past two years.

The system is based on Google’s Android Automotive OS, and can function via voice commands.

While driving the vehicle the new infotainment comes in handy, the voice assistant “Aria” starts the system and oversees hands free technology from changing audio tracks to turning on the latest news, heating up the seat and turning on the AC.

Volvo said the vehicle keeps the driver safe with its SPA platform, as well as numerous safety functions, such as Volvo’s City Safety technology, automatic braking function and collision avoidance systems, which cover a range of potential accident scenarios.

The XC60 provides a calm and balanced environment, with a blend of high-end materials within an overall Scandinavian design. It is equipped with a crystal gear knob designed by the global high-end crystal brand Orrefos, England’s B&W speakers to provide a premium sound system, an advanced air cleaner (AAC) system and a panoramic sunroof.

However, there were some aspects in which the vehicle fell behind its competitors in the similar price range, which is the semi-autonomous driving experience. The vehicle comes with a Pilot Assist function that allows limited self-driving.

“The Pilot Assist function is considered Level 2 autonomous driving,” a Volvo Korea official said.

A level two autonomous vehicle can only control both steering and accelerating/decelerating. The Hyundai Genesis GV80 in the similar price range offers 3.5 level autonomous driving that utilizes various driver assistance systems and AI to make driving decisions based on changes in the driving environment.

The XC60 B5 AWD Inscription price starts from 61.9 million won.