The 2012 Volvo XC60 has completely redefined what a crossover SUV should be. With a starting MSRP price of $33,300, consumers will find that this ride is one of Volvo’s cheaper models, while still retaining the quality and performance that we have come to know and expect from Volvo automobiles. The XC60 has bi-xenon headlights that brightly illuminate the road ahead. The exterior is made up of sharp and eye-catching lines, although from the back, this crossover SUV tends to resemble a minivan. It also has 5-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels and comes with all-season tires, so you can have confidence in knowing your new Volvo can handle nearly anything Mother Nature decides to throw at you. On the inside, consumers will find a sunglass storage compartment above their heads, so sunglasses will not hang in view of the road, thus causing a safety hazard. The luxurious leather seats are heated and power adjustable in the front, and the front headrests have video monitors on the back of them, so backseat riders can enjoy a movie while on a long road trip or vacation drive. The rear cargo space is also one of the best in it’s class; it’s able to accommodate tons of luggage or other large objects, such as bikes and fishing or hunting gear. Unlike most modern cars, which have a video screen mounted in the center of the dash, which provides GPS navigation, music and more, the Volvo XC60 comes with a portable GPS navigation screen that you can mount anywhere on your dash. It also has parking assist, which alerts the driver with a series of sounds to objects they are approaching; it also provides distance to the nearest object behind the vehicle, which is displayed on the portable navigations screen. The 2012 Volvo XC60 has three different engine options, depending on the model you choose. The base model has a 3.2-liter V6 engine with 240 horsepower and 236 lbs./ft. of torque. The T6 AWD model comes with a 3.0-liter V6 engine with 300 ponies straddled under the hood and 325 lbs./ft. of torque. Lastly, the T6 R-Design, which starts at $43,700 MSRP comes with a 3.0-liter V6 engine that has an impressive 325 horsepower and 354 lbs./ft. of torque. For those of you who plan on doing some serious cross-country, off-road or inclement condition driving, this is the model for you. The base model can obtain 24 MPG on the highway, while the T6 AWD and T6 R-Design get 23 on the highway. If you’re at all familiar with cars, then you probably already know that this Volvo – as with all of their cars – is well ahead of the competition when it comes to safety. Not only has the manufacturer included standard safety precautions such as numerous airbags, Vehicle Stability Control and impact awareness, but it also comes stocked with snow chains, a heavy-duty towing rope, jumper cables, a first aid kit, portable orange warning triangle and nearly any child safety precaution you can imagine. All of these things help Volvo maintain their reputation as a manufacturer who cares about the safety of their consumers, as well as one who continues to make quality automobiles.

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2011, 2010