XC60 Showcases Volvo’s Futuristic Safety Features
Feb 06 2009 by Kristin Varela
“The Jetsons” was the most memorable cartoon from my childhood. It seemed so futuristic, with its spaceball, robot maid and aerocars flying to Orbit High. As I drove the new 2010 Volvo XC60, I was awestruck by the feeling that the future had arrived. The XC60 might not fly or look as cool as a Moonserati, but it comes pretty darn close to both.
The XC60 is a modern, luxurious small crossover. It competes with vehicles like the Mercedes GLK350, Audi Q5, Acura RDX and BMW M3, but with more rear legroom and headroom, which growing families will appreciate.
Up to 75 percent of all collisions happen at low speeds, and Volvo’s new City Safety system, which is standard on the 2010 XC60, works to prevent those accidents. Volvo’s been an industry leader in safety from day one; the automaker was behind the invention of the three-point safety belt. City Safety builds on Volvo’s safety record. It helps prevent collisions at speeds between 2 and 9 mph (actually stopping the car before a collision happens), and it lessens the impact of collisions happening between 10 and 18 mph. To see the City Safety system in action, click here.
Can you just imagine the impact this safety feature might have on our families’ lives? Imagine seeing future versions of Volvo’s City Safety system in all cars in 20 years, and remembering what it was like to drive in the “olden days” when cars used to wreck.
In addition to City Safety, there are an impressive number of safety features found in the XC60, such as available dual-stage booster seats; BeltMinder, which tells the driver which seat belts are in use; Driver Alert Control, which tells drowsy drivers to pull over for a break; dynamic stability and traction control; Hill Descent Control; and Trailer Stability Assist. There are even more safety features on the XC60, but I’d need a lot more time to finish writing about them.
I was impressed by City Safety, but I’m left wondering about Volvo’s concern for child safety. Sure, the optional integrated dual-stage booster seats are fabulous, but what about families with children in child-safety seats? The access to the Latch/ISOFIX tethers in the XC60 is crappy. Specifically, the Latch connectors are recessed too deeply and tightly into the seat bight to use effectively. I honestly don’t get it. Volvo can make a car avoid crashes, but it can’t improve its Latch connectors? Ruh-roh!
The XC60 drives like a dream and is outfitted with the beautiful fit and finish we expect from Volvo (including the option of sandstone beige leather with delicious espresso-colored leather accents). Now I’m waiting for the future to arrive, when I can test the XC60 in true MotherProof.com fashion with my kids in tow. Stay tuned. In the meantime, I’m going shopping at Mooning Dales before my date with Jet Screamer.
