Clean lines, solid shapes and interesting materials impress inside the XC60’s cabin. Brushed aluminium trim adorns the centre console, replaced by Nordic Light Oak in top-spec models.

There are some neat and original touches, like the heater buttons in the shape of a seated person, to show you where to direct the vents.

And in a world-first, the sweep of the instrument binnacle has been inspired by Sean Connery’s raised eyebrow during his 007 acting roles.

Below its waistline the XC60 is pure SUV, with a 230mm ground clearance rivalling the bigger XC90. Above its midriff, the XC60 is a more rakish vehicle with a heavily swept back windscreen and low side windows.

It has strong shoulders (a Volvo trademark introduced with the S60) which can be seen most clearly at the rear, where they are accentuated by the outward kink of its new LED rear lights.

Powerful engines

The XC60 is available with two diesel engines and one petrol, and it’s the former which will dominate sales in the UK.

The entry-level diesel is the 2.4-litre D, producing 161bhp and 251lb/ft of pulling power. It accelerates the manual XC60 from 0-62mph in 10.5 seconds and on to 121mph, while the automatic takes 10.9 seconds and reaches 118mph.

The more powerful diesel (also 2.4-litre) is the D5 with 185bhp and 295lb/ft of pulling power and 0-62mph measured at 9.5 seconds for the manual and 9.9 seconds for the automatic.

Volvo claims both diesels can achieve an identical average fuel consumption of 37.7mpg, but we only managed 29mpg on our 150-mile driving route north of Edinburgh.

View our Volvo XC60 slide show

Emissions of 199g/km place the diesel XC60 in tax band F, with an annual charge of £210.

On the road both engines are impressively smooth, and their 5-cylinder layout gives them a pleasant growl under hard acceleration – but they aren’t the very quietest in class.

We drove both the manual and ‘Geartronic’ automatic equipped models, and found the former the best to drive.

The XC60 is billed as one of the ‘sportiest’ Volvos available and the well-weighted and precise manual six-speed gearbox helps you get at the performance and level of interaction on offer.

The ‘Geartronic’ automatic is relaxing when you are cruising, but it’s less involving, even in its ‘manual’ mode where you can move up and down the gears by pushing the gear selector forwards and backwards.

We didn’t get chance to drive the 3-litre T6 petrol (Volvo expects it to make up less than 5 per cent of UK sales), but with 281bhp it’s clearly the top performing XC60 – sprinting from 0-60mph in 7.1 seconds and hitting 130mph.

Unsurprisingly it’s also the most expensive to run, with Volvo claiming an average fuel consumption of 23.7mpg and emissions of 284g/km which place it in £400 tax band G.

Next year a front-wheel-drive-only version of the 2.4-litre Diesel arrives, with tweaks to its engine to reduce emissions to around 170g/km.

Fuel economy should improve too, and tax band E has a reduced annual cost of £170.

The XC60 might not be aimed at off-road enthusiasts, but it should be more than capable of keeping owners going across wet fields and down muddy drives.

Its four-wheel-drive system sends 95 per cent of power to the front wheels in normal driving, and then re-distributes power for extra grip if it detects any wheel-slip.

Handling is secure and feels sharp, shrugging off the feeling of driving a tall car.

A wide stance, taut suspension and high-performance tyres all ensure it has good levels of grip and can be driven at a decent pace.

The steering is precise and linear, but takes away too much feel in the quest for greater refinement.

Over rough roads the XC60 feels solid and unflappable, and the ride quality is very good, toning down thumps and bumps and doing a good job of preventing them from being felt in the cabin.

Room for lots of golf clubs

Volvo thinks its buyers are an active bunch, with hobbies requiring a sizeable amount of sails, oars, boots, rucksacks and saddles. So it’s a good job the XC60 has a 40:20:40 split rear seat which folds flat into the floor quickly and easily.

Space ranges from 495-litres to 1,455-litres with the rear seats stowed.

Under the boot floor is a hidden area for valuables, which is locked by the tailgate closing on top of it – meaning it can’t be accessed where a window is smashed to gain access.

City Safety

For Volvo safety is the Holy Grail – so when it says the XC60 is its safest model ever, you can’t help but take notice.

Standard across the range is ‘City Safety’, which aims to prevent a specific type of low-speed collision, where human error is normally to blame.

View our Volvo XC60 slide show

When you are driving below 19mph a laser beam tracks the road up to six metres ahead and slams on the brakes if you approach an object too fast and show no sign of stopping or taking evasive action.

This is a common accident where drivers in traffic become distracted, or the car in front stalls.

Other standard safety equipment includes dynamic stability and traction control, roll stability control, roll over protection system, side impact protection system, whiplash protection system and anti-lock brakes with hydraulic assist and electronic brake distribution. 

Three trim levels of XC60 are available, starting with the S, which gets highlights including climate control, CD player with aux jack, cruise control, 17-inch alloy wheels and roof rails and rear spoiler.

Upgrade to SE and you add Hill Descent Control (which controls speed down steep slopes), electric driver’s seat with memory function, power door mirrors, dimming rear-view mirrors, compass and chrome window trim.

The range-topping SE Lux adds leather upholstery, Nordic Light Oak wood trim, powered and heated front seats, luxury floor mats, chrome detailing, 18-inch alloy wheels, active headlamps (which turn into corners) and rear park assist.

Prices start from £24,750 undercutting the entry-level BMW X3 (£29,715), but elevated from more mainstream offerings including the Honda CR-V (£18,990).

Designer Steve Mattin has set out to design a Volvo which appeals to the heart as well as the head – and he has succeeded.

The XC60 gives buyers in the fast-growing small SUV market a fresh new car, which is good to drive, comfortable, premium and above all – safe.

View our Volvo XC60 slide show