RECENTLY I had a great day, spent criss-crossing the local area in Volvo's not so slow XC60 D5 auto, which proved to be quick and quiet, comfortable and effortless.
Overtaking was safe and sure, with plenty of power to spare most of the time, and the automatic gearbox is quick to react making the manual setting almost superfluous.
Safety - this is a Volvo - is at the very top of the class of course, but so is road-holding and handling - much better than I thought it might be.
Average economy should be about 40 but the best it could manage in my fairly lead-footed hands was 30.
Interior
It came with electric leather seats, sunroof and moonroof and cruise and phone controls on the steering wheel.
The seats are very comfortable and well-shaped and it comes with parking sensors and all the effort is taken out of opening and closing with an electrically powered tailgate.
FAST FACTS
Volvo XC60
Price: £28,850
Mechanical: 203bhp, 2400cc, 5 cylinder diesel engine driving four wheels via 6-speed automatic gearbox
Max speed: 130mph
0-62mph: 8.5 seconds
Combined mpg: 40.9
Insurance group: 15
CO2 emissions: 183g/km
BIK rating: 27%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles
Marks: 9/10
Main rival: BMW X3, VW Tiguan