The base XC60 has a 240-horsepower, 3.2-liter six-cylinder engine. I drove the more powerful T6 version, which was a little bit of a bummer. I appreciated the solid feel and the 325-hp, turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine's quick and smooth acceleration, but the soft ride felt a little on the floaty side for my taste. That, in combination with its 38.4-foot turning diameter, made me feel like I was driving a larger SUV than I was. In comparison, the GLK has a turning circle of 37.6 feet.

While I personally prefer more car-like cornering, my husband loved the ride quality. He said he had no idea what I was griping about. You'll have to drive this one yourself and see how it feels to you.

One thing we definitely agreed on was the surprising amount of noise inside the XC60. With a luxury brand like Volvo, you expect — and hope for — an unnaturally quiet interior. Unfortunately, this is one area where Volvo doesn't deliver. My husband and I both commented on the wind noise entering the cabin from around the windshield pillars, possibly from the large side mirrors. The noise issue didn't improve in the backseat, either. My daughter asked me on more than one occasion if a window was cracked or if she maybe hadn't shut the door all the way. She said she could hear every car that passed us on the highway.