THE XC60 is Volvo's biggest seller and is one of the most popular premiumSUVson the market.
It has been around since 2008 but an all-new model arrived in the autumn of last year boasting a handsome exterior similar to its luxurious sibling the larger XC90 and also sharing some of its advanced technology and safety systems.
A substantial price hike means it is now up against some tough opposition from Jaguar, Land Rover and the German trio but the Volvo is up to the challenge.
Thanks to the backing of parent Chinese companyGeely, a smaller XC40 is on the way to complete the Swedishfirm'sSUV thrust and it promises to be just as good.
I recently sampled the entry-level Momentum model which sits below the R-Design and top Inscription offerings.
Extremely comfortable and offering bags of space the Momentum model may sit at the bottom of the range but it offers stacks of equipment and features for its £37,205 price tag.
As well as all-wheel-drive, you get an automatic transmission, a large nine-inch touch screen,SensusNavigation with full European mapping and lifetime updates, voice-control,SensusConnect, LED headlights with high active beam, climate control, power operated tailgate, heated front seats, 18-inch alloys and leather-faced upholstery.
There is also an eight-inch activeTFTCrystal driver's information display and the safety features include City Safety and Steer Assist with fully automatic emergency braking and Oncoming Lane Mitigation which provides steering assistance if you unwittingly drift out of your lane and into danger.
As you would expect there is a choice of diesel engines and a plug-in hybrid but my car came with the D4 2.0-litre unit and 190bhp on tap.
It was good for a top speed of 127mph and was capable of reaching 62mph in 8.4 seconds. It proved to be very refined and gobbled up the miles with ease on a long motorway journey south and on the return trip.
The XC60 handled well and dismissed weather changes with ease and provided the driver and occupants with a real feeling of comfort and security.
The claimed combined figure of 54.3mpg was not achievable but I did average almost 45mpg on my longest trip cruising at motorway speeds.
Superb seats made the long hours behind the wheel a pleasure and the XC60 is an ideal long-distance companion. The eight-speed automatic box means it is also happy in town traffic.
The XC60 majors in comfort and it is certainly not as sporting to drive as some of its rivals but it will certainly please the vast majority of its owners with its planted soft butgrippyride.
Visibility is good and the smart cabin has enough room for five, while the large boot provides 505 litres of luggage space rising to 1.432 litres if the split rear seats are folded.
You can personalise your XC60 with loads of options - a winter pack at £525 -Xeniumpack at £2,000 and much more. The car I tried was fitted with £9,000 worth of extras so be selective when ticking option boxes.