THERE’S A PART in the movie T2 Judgment Day where the Terminator – a futuristic android played by Arnold Schwarzenegger – begins to develop what could be interpreted as a personality. This causes the real humans both in the movie and those in the audience to appreciate him for more than just his fantastic mechanical capabilities. In essence they begin to treat him as more than mere machine.

Well, the credits are rolling on my Volvo XC60 D5 R-Design movie and I concede that this has not happened. Despite its obvious abilities I did not get attached and throughout the course of the year, the Volvo remained a machine. Still, would I recommend this car? Absolutely, without hesitation. Why? Because the majority of motorists simply aren’t looking for an emotional connection. They want a car that fulfils their requirements and performs faultlessly day in and day out. With the Volvo they’ll get brilliant ergonomics, impeccable safety, a measure of badge appeal and the most comfortable seats this side of a German luxobarge thrown in for good measure.

Despite early scepticism, the visual enhancements of the R-Design pack have grown on me. My favourite aspect is the fairly imposing front view, but I’m also a fan of the athletic stance and the high, rising waistline. The downside is that it restricts rear three-quarter visibility and makes parking a trust-the-sensors affair.

The XC60 is not high on driving thrills, mostly down to the lifeless steering and is best kept off rock-hopping duty due to the lower ride height and cool 18in rims of the R-Design package. Don’t be too alarmed though, the AWD badge doesn’t disappoint in terms of sand driving, dirt road ability and on-road traction. The diesel’s rushing torque combined with loads of grip allows you to take corners on a range of surfaces with surprising pace and confidence.

I wouldn’t order it with sports suspension which I felt compromises the ride quality too much considering the type of car it is and what it would typically be used for. This sentiment was echoed by editor Pierre who couldn’t ‘understand the rationale of sports suspension on an SUV’.

When sub-editor Angus Boswell borrowed it for a family trip, he raved about the strong engine, but was less complimentary about how much the stylish, sloping hatch robbed the boot of luggage area. His camping katunda and family matter tested his Tetris skills to the max. On the plus side, everyone loved the powered tailgate which will be sadly missed outside shopping malls – a must-have luxury.

It’s amazing how much your perceptions can change in the course of a year. The diesel engine is starting to feel a little old school in terms of refinement. It’s noisier than in other Volvo applications, notably the S80 we tested prior to taking delivery. That said, the off-beat 5-cylinder’s guttural growl adds the only bit of real character to the D5 package. Listening to it angrily attack a gap in traffic or pass an unsuspecting boy racer always brought a smile to my face. Perhaps that’s why the fuel consumption didn’t improve over time, very quickly settling just below the 10ℓ/km mark and staying there for the duration of the year. Still, not bad for a vehicle of this size and mass.

In the final analysis, the XC60 D5 R-Design is a great car that passed the machine test with flying colours. Unlike the Terminator though, it didn’t quite manage to get under my skin. Hasta la vista, baby.