Transition from V70 to XC60. Yikes!

[instarx]

After years of trusty V70 use I bought another Volvo - a 2011 XC60. This is my first SUV and I expected some performance loss, but I am shocked at how poorly it handles. On my first drive through some back roads this car scared me twice. Corners I would normally breeze through in the V70 were too much for the XC60. I did not realize from test drives how quickly it would reach its limits because I try not to frighten car salesmen. I've come to the conclusion that this car is really a TRUCK! It is definitely going to need a change in driving style for me.

I was really prepared to love this car - it is beautiful and has all the creature comforts. But if I had wanted a truck I would have bought a truck.

My purpose to post isn't to complain about the car - it is what it is - but to ask for some advice to improve it. My first idea is tires. The car has 235/65 17 Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza tires which I have discovered are light truck tires!! Does anyone have any experience with higher performance tires on the XC60? Changing to high performance tires on the V70 made a huge difference in its handling. But I don't want to spend $500-700 on better tires if it is just going to mean a slight improvement.

Any other ideas besides wheels and tires would be appreciated, too.

[precopster]

Tires, tires and tires......nothing else.