When I had a Volvo XC60 on test it drew many admiring glances. One friend who called by at the office to see me was positively salivating over it – well it does look very attractive, writes Sharon Walters.

And he was quite taken aback when I was rather lukewarm in my response.

And I feel rather guilty about that. You see the car is attractive, is very safe, is a very good family vehicle and it drives pretty well.

So why did I not get excited? It could have been psychological. For years the Volvo has been the butt of ‘petrol head’ drivers’ jokes. The solid, safe dependable vehicle. And perhaps I just don’t want to be associated with that category.

Perhaps I don’t want to be dragged kicking and screaming into what I perceive as boring middle class, middle-aged suburbia.

But, to be fair to the car I tried out my very best acting techniques to be impartial. And it worked! Once I had put those mental images to one side and drove the car, I did actually enjoy and appreciate it.

It has loads of innovative features as standard such as a low speed autobrake City Safety and versatile 40/20/40 split folding rear seats as well as sub 200g/km CO2 engine options.

It has three engine variants – two diesels and one petrol. Six speed manual transmission is standard on both the 2.4D and D5 turbo diesel powerplants with six speed Geartronic available as a £1,400 option, while the high performance T6 petrol engine is available in six speed Geartronic guise only.

There are three trim levels, S, SE and SE Lux. The entry-level S is well equipped including: front fog lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, rear spoiler, electronic climate control, information centre, cruise control, leather steering wheel with remote audio controls, brushed aluminium trim and a performance sound audio system.

The award-winning Volvo City Safety technology is joined by safety equipment including RSC (Roll Stability Control), ROPS (Roll Over Protection System) and WHIPS (Whiplash Protection System).

The SE specification also has Hill Descent Control, electric driver’s seat with three memory functions and Autofolding power door mirrors with ground lights.

Added luxury also includes Eriksberg T-Tec/Textile upholstery and autodimming rear view mirrors with compass and chrome window trim.

The SE Lux features chronographic instrument dials, leather upholstery, Nordic Light Oak natural wood trim and both front seats are both powered and heated.

Further enhancements include luxury floor mats and chrome detailing, 18-inch alloy wheels, active bending headlamps, power tailgate and rear park assist are also all standard.

Volvo’s popular option packages are also available, including the Communications, Family and Winter Packs, plus the Driver Support Pack which includes a host of Volvo’s safety aids including BLIS (Blind Sport Information System), ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) and LDW (Lane Departure Warning).

Customers can configure their own Volvo XC60 online in the ‘Build Your Own’ section of the Volvo website www.volvocars.co.uk

The configuration tool allows customers to build and price a vehicle to their personal choice of engine, trim level, colour, upholstery and options.

It has a real feel of quality and is a dream to drive – a quiet, well behaved dream, that is.

And if you should be drifting off a little the City Safety system, fitted as standard to all XC60s, eliminates the possibility of crashing into the car in front at in-town speeds of up to nine mph and lowers the risk of crashes below 19 mph, reducing injury (especially whiplash) and cutting repair costs.

A radar “sees” the road ahead and if it senses that you are about to have a rear-end shunt it will apply the brakes for you.

And while it does look a little large, it drives just like a saloon, in fact just like a nice Volvo saloon.

Little wallowing in this soft roader/crossover or whatever the current term is.

Recently it was named SUV of the Year at the 2009 Fleet World Honours and is Volvo’s second consecutive appearance on the annual winner’s list, after the XC60′s ground-breaking City Safety won the Technology Category last year.

The Volvo XC60 has also been awarded the What Car? SUV of the Year at the magazine’s 2009 Awards.

The recent introduction of front-wheel drive and the new 2.4D engine to the XC60 also sees fuel consumption improve up to 47.1 mpg and CO2 emission figures tumble to 159 g/km – ensuring the model benefits from a 20 per cent Capital Allowance rate following the introduction of new rules earlier this year.

The new rules result in lower whole life costs for companies, while drivers of these lower emission vehicles are rewarded with reduced Benefit in Kind (BIK) tax bills.

And as for that safety aspect, The Volvo XC60, with Volvo’s unique Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), is one of only five cars to receive the highest rating in Euro NCAP’s new assessment procedure for evaluating the degree of whiplash protection offered by passenger cars in rear-end collisions.

The Volvo XC60 also received the highest rating of five stars in Euro NCAP’s Adult Occupant Protection tests, which includes front and side impacts. Great for getting the family about in safety.

Prices start at £24,750.

By Sharon Walters