Model designation

[volvocat]

Originally Posted by David404

Don't fancy SUV so not that keen on XC90 and looking out of budget anyway. Bit confused by 'SPA' new to Volvo, what's it mean.

Absolute boot calacity not an issue just need more space than in saloon. No kids, no dog just need more space when out with caravan.

SPA = Scalable Platform Architecture - it’s the platform all medium & larger Volvos are based on underneath - currently 60s & 90s.

Don’t worry about boot space in the V90 - sure, it’s a little less than the preceding V70 but as you’ll not be loading to max. capacity every time I think you’ll be happy with it.

One further point about trims: each level also has an extra enhancement pack available called Pro which adds little niceties like extra internal lighting, front fogs, stitched dash top & door trims etc - mostly cosmetic but nice to have and worth looking out for when buying used as it can add value that someone else has paid for!

Suggest you spend a while studying brochures and price lists on the Volvo site - or request printed copies by post - they send them pretty quickly.

Prices: decent V90s are now creeping into the mid-£20000s, although Cross Country variants (which I would certainly recommend!) are still a little more, but by the time you’re ready, they should be within your budget.

Good luck!

[David404]

Originally Posted by Quacker

I reckon you should be looking at the Vauxhall and Ford Mondeo size cars, including BMW 3 and 5 series and Mercedes Cand E Class.Audi A4 an A6 and derivatives also. Not forgetting Jaguar, which has a rather splendid range of cars in both 2wd and 4wd.

Mondeo, BMW 3, MB C, Audi A4 unlikely to be heavy enough given caravan. Jag, many years ago I used to work in fleet management and Jags were notoriously unreliable, they may be better now (I suspect they are) but sorry I just can't get over the history. Plus I like things that aren't everyday, drove Saabs for years and only went to Merc because Saab went under and I had good experiences with a 190D (W201) many years ago.

Must admit browsing Volvo site and learning more am warming to V90 lgbojhh I have yet to sit in/drive one.

For me interior style and quality more important than exterior.

[MOzS90]

In which case Volvo should win the day.

I have an S90 R Design and have owned BMW and Mercs before (inc an extended loan of an E Class) and I’m totally won over by the Volvo.

Firstly, you get a lot more car for your money, the interior quality is so close to ze Germans now there’s nothing in it and (touch wood) my Volvo has been perfect reliability-wise. My BMW or Merc was not.

The only thing the Volvo misses which I’d love to see on the car is the 9 speed auto I had on the E class loaner I had. Volvos auto boxes just aren’t as smooth (but by no means unsatisfactory).

Weirdly, the XC40 has an electronically controlled auto box (like BMW and Merc), the 60 and 90 series have a mechanical gear selector which is horrible compared.

Anyone know why???