Page 87 - Motor Trend (February 2020)

UPDATE CHRYSLER FORD UPDATE HONDA CIVIC HONDA HYUNDAI
BMW X2 BMW X3 PACIFICA F-150 GENESIS G70 TYPE R INSIGHT KONA

JEEP NISSAN RAM SUBARU TOYOTA VOLKSWAGEN VOLVO S60 VOLVO
WRANGLER KICKS 1500 LARAMIE ASCENT RAV4 ATLAS XC60
UPDATE ARRIVAL UPDATE

2019 Volvo XC60 2019 Nissan Kicks

Service life: Service life:
10 mo/17,228 mi • Avg Fuel Econ: 22.5 mpg 6 mo/10,134 mi • Avg Fuel Econ: 31.3 mpg

“The XC60 performs better “Comfortable seats make road
than our long-term Acura RDX tripping a breeze. If only the steering
in Real MPG tests.” Kelly Lin wheel telescoped more.” Stefan Ogbac

Avg CO2 0.86 lb/mi Energy cons 147 kW-hr/100 mi Avg CO2 0.62 lb/mi Energy cons 109 kW-hr/100 mi
Unresolved problems None Maintenance cost $0 Unresolved problems None Maintenance cost $0
(oil change, inspection) Normal-wear cost $0 Normal-wear cost $0 Base price $21,635 As-tested $23,000
Base price $42,495 As-tested $52,740 EPA City/Hwy/Comb EPA City/Hwy/Comb Fuel Econ 31/36/33 mpg
Fuel Econ 20/27/23 mpg Real MPG 22.5 mpg combined Real MPG 28.7/39.8/32.8 mpg

W e’re nearing the 22.5 mpg combined. If you’re S ometimes you have to out of the 1.6-liter I-4’s 125 hp
and 115 lb-ft of torque. You
go out of your way to
really looking to maximize fuel
end of our time in
the XC60, and it’s economy, there's also plug-in get good things—in this still need to plan your passes,
been smooth sailing all year. hybrid version of the XC60. case, delicious food. See, I and going uphill requires
At about 24,000 miles, the To be a good commuter car, have a cooking habit, and I will stepping on the accelerator
compact crossover has visited a vehicle must have features stop at nothing to get good like you mean it. On most
the dealership twice for regular that make the driver’s life (and authentic) ingredients, surfaces, the Kicks’ suspen-
maintenance. I’m impressed easier. The head-up display even if that means driving long sion rides smoothly; however,
by the airy, eco-chic feel of and 12.3-inch configurable distances to get something not it can get uncomfortable on
my local Volvo dealership, instrument cluster help achieve sold at your average American uneven pavement, especially
but I’m even happier that the this goal. You can control many supermarket. With that mission over big bumps, which cause
first three services are free. functions via buttons on the briefing, I set off to San Diego’s the rear to bounce around.
This means free maintenance steering wheel, making the Little Italy in the Nissan Kicks. San Diego isn’t too far from
at the 10,000-, 20,000-, and finicky infotainment system a This is the first time the Kicks Los Angeles; at just over 240
30,000-mile intervals. little more palatable. One thing has been on a drive longer miles round trip, I returned
For some buyers, the XC60 is works against its effectiveness than 100 miles, and I was home without needing to top
the family car, and for others, as a commuter car: When eager to see how it performs up despite the Kicks’ 10.8-
it’s the road trip car or the switching lanes at low speeds, on a trip that takes about two gallon fuel tank.
second vehicle. For me, it is there’s a slight delay in accel- hours each way. Immediately, And what about my mission
primarily a commuter. So how eration when you need it. I noticed how comfortable to buy some hard-to-find
well does it perform in this role? There are arguments to the seats were; they provided Roman cured meat? It was a
In our Real MPG tests, our make for the XC60 as a road plenty of support and had just success. I got what I needed
Volvo managed 20.3/32.5/24.4 trip vehicle. It has a spacious the right amount of softness. and then some. This is just the
mpg city/highway/combined. back seat, though a high floor Quibbles? The steering wheel first of many food adventures
This is considerably better than hump makes it tricky for the doesn’t telescope enough, and the Kicks will go on; there’s still
the EPA’s rating of 20/27/23 middle occupant to rest his or the seating position can put more places to explore. Now,
mpg. Not bad for a compact her legs. The cargo area will fit tall adults’ legs at an awkward if you’ll excuse me, there’s a
SUV. Over nearly a year of luggage for the whole family, angle, not good for long stints. delicious plate of spaghetti
driving, we've recorded an and we generally like the cruise The Kicks’ CVT does all the carbonara on my table
average fuel economy of control system. heavy lifting, eking the most waiting to get devoured.

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