8 speed auto or manual?

[Harvey1512]

Don't forget the price difference. I would happily go Auto but the extra price is around £1,400. Add to that the extra emissions, bad for company car drivers, and it still makes manual the better financial choice by quite some way.

[Flux]

Originally Posted by andymcp

Although not an XC60, I ordered my V60 in manual. Not because I necessarily wanted manual but because the difference between manual and auto on the V60 fuel economy numbers is significant. Yet the same engine/gearbox comparison on the XC60 shows virtually no difference. Strange....

You're correct on this and I hadn't realised until you brought it up. I wonder why there is a difference of some 7mpg on V60 vs 2 MPG on XC60 given that it will be the same gearbox and engine?

Hopefully someone will enlighten us on this.

Despite this though the V60 does on the face of it (real World accepted) post some pretty impressive figures but must admit the choice of manual vs geartronic might have been more of an issue if I was thinking of ordering one (have ordered XC60 R Design Lux Nav Geartronic FWD).

add - Harvey1512 does make a valid point only I fancy a change from manual and appreciate it will cost me more going geartronic - will save a bit on shoe leather though! - seems strange but I have already gone into 'geartronic mode' in anticipation of my new car as I keep on forgetting to change gears on my current manual car - the time is obviously right for me to change.......or maybe I'm in some way endeavouring to justify my impending purchase!!

[Ninja59]

Hmm I would treat any mpg figures and try them out for real, in testing the auto can be told and configured to change up for emissions and mpg more easily don't forget.

Although from my point of view the s/v/xc 60 range suit automatic over manual.

[Stevepvolvo]

I personally really enjoy the geartronic in todays traffic. I have had sporty manual cars in the past but for overall driving pleasure I think the geartronic provides the right balance for todays driving environment
If you are considering such options as active cruise control (which until I got on a used xc60 I had not really thought much about but would now never be without) then I believe that is available only on an auto (and makes sense to only have on an auto).
If you ever decide to tow then it is definitely an auto in my opinion.
With the option of an 8 speed auto (I am on the 6 speed) then that will be a an even better gearbox and you can always enjoy the manual control which I do use probably 5% of the time but is excellent when you do need to be in the right gear ready for that fast overtake and don't want to wait for the auto kick down lag (even though that is minimal!)
Steve

[Daleman]

Get an Auto the difference is a revelation with an Manual in a luxury car. the Manual Gearbox is stone age in driving comparison .

[velocette]

Just as a matter of interest my V60 D5 auto is currently delivering around 43 mpg, last fill up it was 44.27 (not that i am nerdy about these things). This engine with the auto box is as smooth as silk. If you need the power it is faultless in pick up and delivery. In this respect one of the best cars i have had, with the exception of a Rover SD1 with the V8. Manual - why would you?

Velocette

[MtillingVolvo]

I have a customer who has just taken delivery of a D4 2WD (181BHP) with the new gearbox and is reporting early 50MPG to me... not bad considering its only done about 200 miles.... he does about 30,000 miles a year so will try and see how he is getting on in a few weeks.

[andymcp]

That's impressive so early in a new engine. I'm a pretty steady driver so naturally tend towards the upper end of claimed mpg (40mpg on my current 2.2TD4 Freelander), but even still had marked down a realistic 50mpg for the auto D4. I do around 20-25,000 a year so if it's reporting that number just out the wrappers, maybe I need to rethink.... Dammit!

[AngloScot]

I have ordered the Geartronic on my new XC60. I have been driving auto in my Golf for the last 13 years. In fact all our family have Automatic in whatever car they have. Also I think in America somewhere in the region of 95% of all cars are automatic. Who in their right mind would want to change gear when the car does it for you.

[ChrisL]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

When I first booked the test drive an auto was manual, but it appears my work put me down for the wrong car grade and now it's been resolved I have a much wider choice of XC60s. Had considered sorting another test drive but as it's a new box and engine probably not very representative.

The replies all are positive, first impression on the XC (163bhp) has been positive this evening, but only done 10 miles, will get a better test over weekend.

Mpg not an issue for me as pay my fuel on a card and get cross charged personal miles at a fixed rate.

I am leaning more towards the auto at the moment, must just stop thinking the additional tax over the 4 years!