Sat Nav/Phone: What year was Bluetooth fitted as standard?

[Odysseus]

Hello Volvo buddies,

My first post in this forum for a while. I used to have a S80 D5 SE Lux which was a great car - now replaced by a Lexus GS450 hybrid.

An expanding family (child number three due in May) means I'm now strongly considering an XC90 to replace the family Prius on the basis it's one of the few cars which can fit three child seats, and a modicum of luggage.

I'm looking to spend around £10K and would like as much specification as possible. I'm looking mostly at the SE Lux, R Design, and Executive models. Sat nav and Bluetooth are important.

This brings me to my question... What year was Bluetooth connectivity fitted as standard? And is there a way to tell if a car has it from pictures alone?

I've noted some cars have buttons on the steering wheel that look like they might control a phone, but have also seen mentioned in-car phones requiring their own SIM card, which is not useful.

Any expertise and advice gratefully received.

Also, it's nice to be back.

[owenfackrell]

As far as I’m aware it was when the updated the engine to 200bhp this was around the 60 plate. Easiest way to tell is that the 200 billion engine has a large D5 badge on the back. It go easier on you get to around 2012 as the updated the car and made it fully colour coded.
Also on the executive the built in privacy phone disappeared

[SwissXC90]

Bluetooth phone is easy to see: phone button on audio system but no handset fitted = bluetooth

[Odysseus]

Originally Posted by SwissXC90

Bluetooth phone is easy to see: phone button on audio system but no handset fitted = bluetooth

Thanks for coming back to me. Where would the handset be fitted if it was there? Is it the sort of thing you could see in AutoTrader or eBay photos of the dash?

[SwissXC90]

Handset is between cupholder and center console storage box. On an Exec the storage box can be a fridge.

Download a User Manual to see full details.

[revaido]

Originally Posted by Odysseus

Hello Volvo buddies,

My first post in this forum for a while. I used to have a S80 D5 SE Lux which was a great car - now replaced by a Lexus GS450 hybrid.

An expanding family (child number three due in May) means I'm now strongly considering an XC90 to replace the family Prius on the basis it's one of the few cars which can fit three child seats, and a modicum of luggage.

I'm looking to spend around £10K and would like as much specification as possible. I'm looking mostly at the SE Lux, R Design, and Executive models. Sat nav and Bluetooth are important.

This brings me to my question... What year was Bluetooth connectivity fitted as standard? And is there a way to tell if a car has it from pictures alone?

I've noted some cars have buttons on the steering wheel that look like they might control a phone, but have also seen mentioned in-car phones requiring their own SIM card, which is not useful.

Any expertise and advice gratefully received.

Also, it's nice to be back.

Just to muddy the waters even more in the 2012 MY onwards that also included Bluetooth with A2DP for music streaming - previous years had Bluetooth but only with the headset profile so phone calls only. Saying that Volvotech have options anyway.

If you're not bothered about Spotify etc it's no problem.

Good luck with the new arrival - I've got a similar combo with the XC90 and a Lexus LS460. The XC90 I use as the family car and the LS460 I use as a motorway cruncher and they're a great combo!

[Odysseus]

Thanks for the responses everyone. Today I’ve put a deposit down on a 2012 Executive with all the bluetooth gubbins, USB, BLIS and the massage seats that made both me and my wife go “Ooooh that’s nice”

It’s the facelift model too so fully colour coded and it looks very smart. Higher miles than I was expecting to get but it’s led a pampered life and as such it’s comfortably within budget.

Exciting times!

The combined fleet of Volvo family wagon and Lexus saloon means we have definitely got making progress in comfort covered.

Wish me luck!