Manual or Automatic?

[nidge]

Hello all, i am new to the forum and about to purchase a XC90. We have mainly purchased manual cars in the past however this is my first foray into SUV land. I would be interested in gaining peoples opinions on the choice of gearbox for the CX90.

thanks in advance for your help

Nidge

[AyrshireXC90]

We have a MY2010 D5 Geartronic. It is my first automatic since an old Triumph 2000 (L reg), and love it. It is a sedate car most of the time, but can be powerful when needed. Ours is really just a fancy MPV; it handles better than our old Galaxy in most ways, and the auto box makes it relaxing to drive. It coped faultlessly in the snow, even in the back roads of Ayrshire, which were fairly challenging.
I suspect the manual version is a different animal altogether - it probably could be hustled along a bit faster than ours.
Good luck.

[Varko]

Don't hesitate, get the Geartronic. I'd never go back to a manual car now I've driven the XC90 in the automatic version. Very smooth driving but powerful enough when needs be. Handles off-road driving through mud, snow, ice, no problems whatsoever. In any case you can swop over to the manual position if you're driving through the french alps for example and need the engine brake a bit more.

[adonis kebab]

I have a manual xc90 which although a stunning drive and very responsive is a pain in the butt when it comes to the footbrake/handbrake set up. I find myself holding it on the clutch rather than trying to apply the footbrake and then releasing with the deafening clunk, which sounds as though something has broken each time you release it.
Without a doubt the XC90 is set up for an automatic gear box, although reading the threads on automatics hesistating on pulling away makes me glad i have a manual. Hope this helps.

[XCF]

I went for a new manual for a few reasons..

1) Always driven manual
2) Concerns on hesitation expressed by owners of auto
3) Purchase price of the Auto
4) Acceleration on manual is marginally faster
5) MPG on manual is marginally better
6) Plan on keeping for while so not concerned with arguments over resale (ability or value)


I agree on the footbrake noise - not good at all but hopefully will get used to softening the release with my foot. It's clear that Volvo don't do any type of usability study on their cars as I don't understand why the release cable isn't damped or on a spring return. I am wondering if some foam padding etc on the foot brake arm might dampen the noise.

[wagga]

AUTOMATIC.

You buy XC90 coz it is safe car. Let the DSTC be active.

ANyway, it is Geartronic. U can always select to manual if you feel like it.

[Sportwag]

Based on my experience, Geartronic models are favoured above manual models 2nd hand and appear to hold on to a larger chunk of their resale value - manual models are quite a bit cheaper than Geartronic used. I would go Geartronic - the drive is effortless, you can select gears manually if you want to and you avoid using the stupid handbrake (no worries about holding the car on an incline)!

[nidge]

thanks everyone for your replies. It may now be auto but still a tough choice. At least i know i want a XC 90!

[Luca]

I just got my MY2010 XC-90 D5 (Summum + some extras - dynaudio, RTI, dark side windows, I guess similar to SE LUX in UK) with Geratronic. Before buying, I was also afraid of the way the autobox woud behave, in particular after having testdriven an XC-60 163 cv with the same auto gear.


Driving is very relaxed but if needed, the car can pick up speed very fast with, to my still very little experience on it, just a little hesitation. I wonder if this could not be cured by a RICA upgrade. But I can live with it as it is.

Behaviour of the car and the automatic gear in snow (5 inch fresh) with OEM (summer) conti tyres has been excellent, even on steep roads (up to 10% rise). I don't know how much was due to the automatic gearbox and its winter mode, but I think it helped.

Personally, I have not liked much the artificial 'manual' mode. I much prefer the full auto.

A colleague of mine has a 2006 D5 Summum with manual gear. I found the engine noise more present than in my car.

By the way, this is my first automaitc car. my previous was an Alfa Romeo 156 1.8 TS

Overall, I love my XC-90 and I am very happy I got the auto in it. Hope this helps in your choice.

[EES3DC]

Don't buy a manual:

1. Just look at the 2nd hand XC90s on volvo website and filter on manual. No one wants them!

2. Considering the above, you have to pay a bigger deposit because its harder for the dealer to shift

3. Its a big heavy car and you dont want to be working the gears all the time (been there!)

4. Its much more relaxing and less stressfull with screaming kids on board. Also good for crawling in traffic and the Mrs can pass you a flash of tea and you can drink with one hand

5. Pulling away on inclines is harder

The is my first auto and I too was a little unsure at first. Now I love it. However, Volvo should have added VW's autohold - that is brilliant for autos as its gently applies the brakes when still.

So my 2 minor faults are this autos in general (not VW) that is having to keep foot on footbrake when stopping at lights. Humal can change gear more efficnetly that this auto - but learing to ignore the latter.

get the auto!