Auto news on Youtube Aug 23 2017

With the new 2018 XC60, Volvo scrapped a nearly decade-old

design and based it on their larger XC90 SUV.

And it's easy to spot the differences.

The compact luxury SUV boasts new front fascia and more

aggressive styling throughout.

It also has a quieter and more spacious cabin,

and an updated infotainment system.

This all sounds like good news, but some of the new technology

proved distracting from behind the wheel.

The interior is no doubt upscale,

thanks to premium materials like chrome and wood

trim throughout the cabin.

Front seats are accommodating for a variety of body types,

and we found it easy to find a comfy driving position.

The XC60 is bigger inside, and that goes for the rear seat

too.

Fitting five adults inside won't be hard.

Cargo space takes a hit, but there's still plenty of room

to load up for a weekend getaway.

One of the biggest changes to the XC60

is the new nine inch infotainment touch screen.

Yes, it looks sleek.

But the system is difficult to use,

and is too distracting for a brand that prides itself

on safety.

Simple tasks like changing a radio station,

accessing the safety system settings,

or adjusting the temperature, require

lots of swiping and tapping.

With many of the vehicles major functions

done through the touch screen, you'll

definitely want to take time to learn its quirks before you

hit the road.

Most XC60s are powered by a 250 horsepower

two liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine,

which is paired to an eight-speed automatic

transmission.

Together, this combo gives this SUV plenty of getup.

A more powerful two liter four-cylinder engine

and a plug-in hybrid version are also available.

Handling is improved slightly, but the XC60 still

isn't as agile as the German competitors.

The ride is on the stiff side, and most bumps

are felt by the passengers.

But this is typical of Volvo.

At least the cabin stays quiet, with wind and road

noise kept at bay.

Volvo's built their reputation on safety,

so it's no surprise that the new XC60 comes standard

with full speed automatic emergency braking.

While we like this move, it is surprising

that blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning

are optional, especially at this price point.

Pricing for the XC60 starts at just over $40,000.

We bought a T5 all wheel drive Momentum and added

a few extras, like that blind spot

warning and rear cross-traffic warning,

adaptive cruise control with pilot assist too, navigation,

and 20 inch wheels.

All in, our test car came in at $50,040.

Despite these improvements, Volvo faces stiff competition,

with recent or upcoming redesigns from Audi and BMW.

Check back with us to see how the XC60 performs when

we complete our full road test.

For more on luxury SUVs, check out consumerreports.org.