I’ve come to really appreciate the extra height and the visual panorama it brings. It’s not unlike a tall person at the theatre—unimpeded vision is a wonderful thing when driving or watching the stage production of the Buddy Holly Story.
Whether or not the facts support the following assertion is debatable but many people simply feel safer in a larger vehicle, and an SUV provides that sense of security. What the facts do support is this: despite stability control programs, there exists a greater propensity for an SUV to rollover due to its higher centre of gravity.
Curing the crossover quandary
I’m a big fan of crossovers. They extend the versatility of a typical car without imposing some of the negatives associated with their more rugged SUV cousins. I can think of no better match for an active family than a crossover such as the XC60 that we’ve peeked at today.
An AWD configuration brings with it expanded functionality but more importantly—greater safety when combined with modern stability control programs and antilock brakes. As a family hauler, I wouldn’t go back to anything absent of AWD and stability control.
As a regular skier, I’ve seen too many sidelined cars en-route up the mountain. My excursions to the hills these days almost always include kids—other peoples and mine. Any increase in control and traction that I can obtain, I’ll gladly take.
If unaccustomed to the full potential of today’s crossovers, I recommend taking a few for a spin. It’s surprising just how civilized these capable machines have become. Volvo’s XC60 is an outstanding example.
Whether or not the facts support the following assertion is debatable but many people simply feel safer in a larger vehicle, and an SUV provides that sense of security. What the facts do support is this: despite stability control programs, there exists a greater propensity for an SUV to rollover due to its higher centre of gravity.
Curing the crossover quandary
I’m a big fan of crossovers. They extend the versatility of a typical car without imposing some of the negatives associated with their more rugged SUV cousins. I can think of no better match for an active family than a crossover such as the XC60 that we’ve peeked at today.
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| An XC60 doesn’t come cheap. The AWD version has an MSRP start point of $44,495. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |
An AWD configuration brings with it expanded functionality but more importantly—greater safety when combined with modern stability control programs and antilock brakes. As a family hauler, I wouldn’t go back to anything absent of AWD and stability control.
As a regular skier, I’ve seen too many sidelined cars en-route up the mountain. My excursions to the hills these days almost always include kids—other peoples and mine. Any increase in control and traction that I can obtain, I’ll gladly take.
If unaccustomed to the full potential of today’s crossovers, I recommend taking a few for a spin. It’s surprising just how civilized these capable machines have become. Volvo’s XC60 is an outstanding example.
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