Volvo Malaysia tells us that the demand for their XC60 is more than their supply right now. We wondered why, so they gave us one to find out for ourselves.

Just so we're absolutely clear from the start, we don't like SUVs. Big, bulky, takes up too much road space, difficult to park, typically poor fuel-efficiency; they're just morally wrong. Unless of course you've a family of at least five, have children that require baby-seats, or a wife that likes to surf while you feel the need to fulfil a seriously incurable deep-sea fishing habit.

Driving around in an SUV just because it's white and seemingly compensates for a lacking personality isn't generally an accepted reason to own one.

But a crossover SUV? Well, that's not exactly the same is it? It's a baby SUV, which presumably takes up less road space, is less difficult to park and ought to have slightly better fuel-efficiency. It's the space between your typical saloon and the big and chunky sports utility vehicle.

Enter the XC60.

So when the good people of Volvo Malaysia rung us up and offered us one to try for ourselves, saying things like it "sells so good that its demands exceed the supply", we couldn't resist the chance to go find out.

The end verdict in short? I'd trade my dog for one. Find out why in the next pages.

Volvo XC60 T5 (2011)

• Price: RM 289,950
• Engine capacity: 1,999 cc
• Engine type: 4-cylinders in-line 16-valves
• Power: 240 bhp
• Torque: 320 Nm
• Acceleration: 8.1s (0-100 kmh)
• Top speed: 210 kmh
• Fuel consumption: 11.7 km/l
• Transmission: 6-speed (A) Powershift
• Drive type: FWD
• Min turning radius: 6,050 mm
• Kerb weight: 1,760 kg
• Fuel tank capacity: 70 Litres