If our memory served us right, the Volvo XC60 had just received some minor styling changes last year, including a new hood, new bumpers and a pair of revamped fog lights, which had minimal visual impact on the overall design.
That's not really a bad thing because to our eyes, the XC60 will have no problems retaining its good looks even after a decade from now.
This year, it gets even more appealing, thanks to a new four-cylinder Drive-E engine that boasts energetic acceleration and class-leading fuel economy. Aiding the power unit is an equally new eight-speed automatic transmission and an automatic engine start-stop system.
Up close and Personal
For a car that is close to seven years of age, the lines of the XC60 remain rakish and handsome. The new front end that was showcased last year in Singapore also makes it a little sleeker, allowing it to appear more like a car than a utility vehicle.
There's not much that differentiates the Drive-E model from its predecessor on the inside, except the addition of a button to disable the new start/stop function, another to activate the new Eco+ mode and one that allows access to the Internet function on the new Sensus Connect system. Internet radio and voice control are available as well.
The rest of the interior displays the well-known elegant simplicity of the Swedes, including a flat panel centre stack with a little storage area just behind it.
You can't help but to feel snug and safe as you slide into the firm sporty seats wrapped in smooth, supple leather - a familiar feeling inside a Volvo. This is further enhanced by the fact that everything else inside feels sturdy and solid to the touch with high-quality materials.
Space is also not an issue in the XC60. Three full-sized adults sit comfortably in the back and there is more than enough room for the luggage with 490 litres of cargo capacity. Knock down the rear seats and the space will expand to a generous 1,450 litres.
The Drive
The highlight of this second update lies under the bonnet. First up is the 2.0-litre four-cylinder Drive-E turbocharged engine that whips out 245 Swedish horses and 350Nm of torque - up from 240bhp and 320Nm of torque from the previous model.
Teaming up with the new lump is a new eight-speed automatic transmission that serves up swift gear changes. And thanks to this harmonious combination, the XC60 can summon a brisk burst of speed for safe overtaking.
With the increased performance figures, the Drive-E model is able to reach the century mark in 7.2 seconds - 0.9 seconds faster than its predecessor.
But as far as efficiency is concerned, we struggled to get near Volvo's claim of 14.9km/L. Our test drive returned a figure of 11.1km/L - via a mix of regular city and hardcore highway driving - which is still reasonably good for an SUV weighing 1,776kg, but pretty far from its claimed figures.
We reckoned the new Eco+ mode that tweaks the throttle, the gearing and the air-conditioning towards efficiency could help, but we skipped that in lieu of the hot and humid weather we have.
The highlight of this second update lies under the bonnet. First up is the 2.0-litre four-cylinder Drive-E turbocharged engine that whips out 245 Swedish horses and 350Nm of torque - up from 240bhp and 320Nm of torque from the previous model.
Teaming up with the new lump is a new eight-speed automatic transmission that serves up swift gear changes. And thanks to this harmonious combination, the XC60 can summon a brisk burst of speed for safe overtaking.
With the increased performance figures, the Drive-E model is able to reach the century mark in 7.2 seconds - 0.9 seconds faster than its predecessor.
But as far as efficiency is concerned, we struggled to get near Volvo's claim of 14.9km/L. Our test drive returned a figure of 11.1km/L - via a mix of regular city and hardcore highway driving - which is still reasonably good for an SUV weighing 1,776kg, but pretty far from its claimed figures.
We reckoned the new Eco+ mode that tweaks the throttle, the gearing and the air-conditioning towards efficiency could help, but we skipped that in lieu of the hot and humid weather we have.
Power and economy issues aside, the XC60 steers and rides well, although the optional good-looking 20-inch wheels on our test car did make the ride a little firmer than before. Save $10,600 and you should have no problems getting a more pliant ride with the standard 18-inchers.
Conclusion
The combination of a newer and more powerful yet efficient drivetrain, along with its updated looks from the previous operation, give the XC60 a slightly fresher feel.
The XC60 is just as comfortable, drivable, safe and solid as the Germans - all wrapped up in a neat Swedish package.
More importantly, the XC60 is also entitled to a $5,000 Carbon Emissions-Based Vehicle Scheme (CEVS) rebate, not bad for the performance this SUV offers. Not bad at all.
