Volvo XC60 SUV Inscription Pro B5 AWD auto 5d Owner Review

Bought a Mk II after being loaned one while my Mk I was being serviced. Difference is night and day. Mk I was good but the Mk II is great. Air suspension on the Inscription Pro is sublime and comes into its own on poorly maintained roads. Downside, it's inevitably a softer and more wallowy disconnected drive once out of town. Select dynamic and the car lowers its centre of gravity and tightens up markedly. Steering feels more responsive - much better fast twisty A roads. Technology Volvo has packed into this car is astonishing. Everything is controlled from the 9 inch touch screen - takes a bit of getting used to but is soon mastered. Volvo makes some of the best car seats. On the Inscription Pro they are sublime - if you can't get comfortable in these, you're doing something wrong as the adjustment options are virtually limitless. Massage function, together with powered air cooling, takes Volvo car seats to another level. Recently, drove from South Wales to Penzance without stopping - five and a half hours journey time, including a couple of hours on twisty A roads. Not a hint of stiffness on getting out of the car. XC60 is also very well soundproofed. Once up to speed, noise from the engine is minimal resulting in an almost church like silence in the cabin. Option packages are extensive and can be bewildering. IntelliSafe Pro contains an array of important safety features and includes adaptive cruise control plus pilot assist. The latter is perfect for dual carriageways and motorways keeping you in lane and steering the car as if my magic. You still need to pay attention and keep one hand on the steering wheel. Volvo describes Pilot Assist as an aid which is exactly what it is. Xenium pack includes panoramic roof and 360 degree camera - not cheap additions but complement the car enormously. The XC60 isn't the archetypal driver's car, i.e. for someone who wants to barrel into corners. Feedback from the steering is pretty muted - doesn't give much feedback. That's possibly the XC60's only weakness but not one I suspect Volvo is that bothered about. Most XC60 drivers will be won over by its achingly good looks, high build quality, impeccable manners, stunning interior cabin and comfort. Performance isn't to be sneezed at either - D5 diesel will hit 60 mph in 7 seconds. Fuel consumption is in the region of 35 mpg rising to 40 mpg on motorways.