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Not long ago, a premium-priced truck was just a big SUV with leather seats and extra options.
Now, the best luxury brands in the business are fierce competitors in the segment, and it is tough to stand out.
In an effort to get noticed the Volvo brand, recently purchased from Ford Motor Co. by China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, now is taking chances and daring to be different with some pretty audacious interior designs.
After giving the Volvo XC60 a Ward’s Interior of the Year award for premium trucks, we can only say the strategy is working.
Innovative styling usually is not the first thing you think of sitting in a Volvo, but the XC60’s interior is closer to shock and awe than mere surprise and delight.
Bold, contrasting colors, shapes and textures are used to dramatic effect. Light and dark-colored materials form an “x” pattern on the seats to refer to the XC in the CUV’s name, which designates sportiness and adventure in Volvo-speak.
Coarse- and fine-grained leathers also are deliberately juxtaposed to emphasize the vehicle’s dual road and off-road personalities.
Despite the visual drama, the overall ambience inside still is one of elegant functionality and harmony with nature.
