Recall Alert: 17,614 Volvo Vehicles

Volvo has issued a recall for 17,614 vehicles, including the 2008-09 versions of the S80, V70 and XC70, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall is due to a software programming error in the fan control module for the engine cooling fan that may cause it to stop working. This can reduce air-conditioner performance and possibly even cause the engine to fail in a worst-case scenario, increasing the risk of an accident.

Dealers will replace the fan control module with a new one for free. Owners may contact Volvo at 800-458-1552 or the NHTSA vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.

Volvo Lowers Price, Ups Mileage on Entry-Level XC60

Volvo’s compact luxury SUV receives a new model that gives shoppers a less expensive option for getting into an XC60. The new XC60 3.2 starts at $32,395 and forgoes the turbocharged six-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive of the current XC60 T6 ($37,200). The all-wheel-drive model is available with the new non-turbocharged engine and starts at $34,395.

Pricing for the new model is now in line with its competitors such as the Acura RDX ($33,895) and higher-end Volkswagen Tiguan (front-wheel-drive SEL, $30,990). The T6 is a better fit with cars like the BMW X3 ($39,700) and Land Rover LR2 ($35,375).  

The 3.2’s six-cylinder makes 235 horsepower, and it uses the same engine as Volvo’s S80 sedan. When paired with front-wheel drive, the XC60 3.2’s mileage estimates are 18/27 mpg city/highway. This is a notable improvement over the current T6 with all-wheel drive, rated at 16/22 mpg. We evaluated the T6’s mileage on one of our mileage drives where it returned the lowest numbers between its competitors — the X3 (16/23 mpg) and LR2 (15/22) — on the same drive. Mileage estimates are not currently available for the all-wheel-drive 3.2.

XC60 3.2 models include 17-inch wheels instead of the T6’s 18s, otherwise the 3.2 is comparably equipped to the more expensive T6 model. Similar Premium, Climate, Convenience, Multimedia and Technology Packages are available.   

Expert review: 2010 Volvo XC60 T6
Cars.com Mileage Challenge 4

Volvo Extends Warranty Coverage for June Buyers

While other automakers resort to large cash-back offers and low financing rates to stimulate sales, Volvo is enhancing its warranty on 2009-model-year vehicles to attract buyers. If purchased in June, your 2009 Volvo will benefit from extended warranty coverage.

Called Safe + Sound, notable enhancements in the deal include the bumping up of Volvo’s complimentary maintenance from three years/36,000 miles to five years/60,000 miles. The basic new-car warranty will be increased from four years/50,000 miles to five years/60,000 miles for cars bought in June.

Cars.com Mileage Challenge 4.4: The Premium Problem

Yesterday we brought you results from Cars.com’s latest mileage challenge, a 300-plus-mile trip, mostly on highways. The BMW X3 came in first with 23.7 mpg. The Land Rover LR2 came in second with 22.8 mpg, while the Volvo XC60 brought up the rear with 21.0 mpg.

Case closed? Not quite. Premium cars often need premium gas, but these cars are a diverse bunch. BMW’s high-tech Valvetronic engines — like the one in the X3 — require premium fuel. For the LR2, Land Rover merely recommends premium; spokeswoman Kim Binder-Daniel said regular will do, though “performance will degrade.”

Cars.com Mileage Challenge 4.3: The Results

The spring’s mileage challenge took three entry-level luxury crossovers — the BMW X3, Land Rover LR2 and Volvo XC60 — on 300-plus miles of mostly highway driving around northeast Illinois and southern Wisconsin. The results? Read on:

Cars.com Mileage Challenge 4.2: Sport Mode

Yesterday, we outlined the routes and cars for our latest mileage challenge: about 315 miles, mostly highway, in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. We’ll report the full results tomorrow; today, we’re looking at the effects of Sport mode, something many luxury cars and an increasing number of non-luxury models offer. The X3 and LR2 both had it, activated by moving the shifter from Drive to the manual-shift gate.

Cars.com Mileage Challenge 4.1: Luxury Crossovers

Memorial Day is nigh, and that means the summer driving season will soon kick off. AAA recently reported that it expects 27 million Americans — that’s 83% of all Memorial Day travelers — to hit the road this weekend. That’s down from 2007 but up nearly 3 percent over last year, when sky-high gas prices took quite a toll on Memorial Day travel.

Gas may be cheap, but gas mileage is still top of mind. That’s why it’s time for another installment of Cars.com’s Mileage Challenge. After last fall’s econocar shootout, we felt ready for something a bit more upscale. So we turned to entry-level luxury crossovers, a segment once dominated by the Lexus RX and BMW X3. With starting prices around $35,000, that segment now includes models from at least 10 premium brands, most of which boast lower prices, better gas mileage and cozier cabins than their larger SUV siblings. We matched one of the latest — Volvo’s all-new XC60 — against the venerable X3 and the Land Rover LR2 in its sophomore season.

Recall Alert: 12,000 Volvo Sedans, Wagons

Volvo has issued a recall for 12,303 vehicles, including the S80, V70 and XC70 from the 2007 and 2008 model years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

A glitch in the diagnostic software in the central electronic module could cause the windshield wipers to malfunction and either not turn on when activated or turn on when the driver hasn’t touched the switch. Faulty windshield wipers could lead to a loss of visibility in bad weather and increase the risk of an accident.

Dealers will inspect the module and upgrade the software free of charge. Owners can contact the Volvo customer center at 800-458-1552 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236.

Volvo S80 Refreshed for 2010

 
The S80 isn’t exactly an old vehicle — it was launched in 2007 — but Volvo has refreshed it for 2010. Given the age of Volvo’s flagship sedan, the changes aren’t dramatic. Like many cars, the S80 has seen sales fall lately.

Exterior changes include a larger, prominent “Volvo” badge on the front grille; in the rear, the “Volvo” decal is now spaced out and larger. Other tasteful enhancements include a bright chrome strip lining the front lower intake, side sills and below the taillamps.

On the inside, Volvo has added some metallic trim to the center stack to make it look more like the new XC60. There’s also a restyled instrument cluster and a brand-new four-spoke steering wheel. The automaker says the new steering wheel will find its way onto other Volvos down the line.

There are no mechanical changes to the S80. It can be equipped with an inline-six-cylinder engine, a turbocharged inline-six or a V-8. All-wheel drive is available on the turbo and V-8 models.

The 2010 S80 will be unveiled at the Geneva auto show in March, and will go on sale in the U.S. shortly thereafter. Pricing will be announced closer to launch. Check out some photos below.

Volvo Offers Stimulating Incentive

The buzzword of the day is “stimulus,” and Volvo hopes that word will help sell you on a new car.

Through March 2, Volvo will offer a stimulating $1,553 cash back on any 2009 Volvo. This will come on top of the Loyalty incentive, in which you can trade in an old Volvo in exchange for guaranteed cash back on certain models, no matter how ancient your trade-in.

In other words, what we have here is a nice discount offer couched in the terminology of the moment, but you have to give Volvo credit for recognizing the marketing possibilities before any other automaker.