Should I buy an XC90?

[Neil_]

We used to have a zafira and I didn't feel that safe putting the kids in the third row, there really wasn't much car between them and outside world.

I don't know much about car prices, but when we wanted a replacement for the zafira the xc90 was better value than the other high mileage diesel people carriers we were looking at (galaxies, sharans etc). Although that might have been because we ended up with a petrol.

We didn't set out to get the xc90, we had a list of people carriers to go and look at, but (in my opinion) the other people carriers really didn't compare.

Oh, and don't discount a 2.5T petrol if you can find one

[aland]

Originally Posted by S60D5-185

I recently sold my 2005 Euro 3 XC70 to buy my 2007 XC90 as I needed the extra seats for grand children and more weight for towing the caravan.

I feel that the overall build quality of the XC70 was better than the XC90 BUT the XC90 is streets ahead when towing the van and as Tannaton said it's just a nice thing to waft around in.

All in all I'm happy that I made the change as the XC90 suits my needs better.

That said, I'm pretty proficient with the spanners so I'm able to keep costs down.

Agree with you here.
In my case towing a large caravan with a V70 vs XC90, and build quality.
BUT - I feel the Euro3 engine is better than the Euro4 (I have both).
It's more efficient, has far less to go wrong, and doesn't have an appetite for expensive parts like swirl flaps, DPF etc.

[drmanny3]

Originally Posted by XJSDriver

Totally agree with Clan - we had decided on the XC60 but then discovered our biggest dog would struggle in the back; really surprising but then all the midrange SUVs are similar and did not work for us. The XC90's boot is huge but high which could be an issue for some.

We were getting ready to replace a 2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, so I have been looking for a while. At first I wanted the XC90 T8 but could not seem to find a low enough lease to make it a go. I decided to look at the XC60 T8 and was disappointed that the rear area was going to be a tight fit for our Great Pyrenees Frankie. So back to looking for replacements. I considered the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and actually had one on order. Then along came our 2017 XC90 T8 with everything I wanted. When I compared the two it was no contest. Given the rear climate vents where the Mitsubishi did not even have vents for the back seat let alone for the rear compartment and the decision was made. And they say we don't do enough for our pets...…….

Thus far I love this car. The Bower Stereo upgrade is one of the auto systems I have ever had in a car. The air suspension is super. The leather is fantastic. My wife turns on her seat massage and heat every time she gets in the car. She is not a techie but just loves how it works. I usually only get this excited about sports cars. I think Volvo hit a home run with this vehicle.

[S60D5-185]

Originally Posted by aland

Agree with you here.
In my case towing a large caravan with a V70 vs XC90, and build quality.
BUT - I feel the Euro3 engine is better than the Euro4 (I have both).
It's more efficient, has far less to go wrong, and doesn't have an appetite for expensive parts like swirl flaps, DPF etc.

I totally agree.


The problem that I had was that I wanted a facelift model in order to get the 6 speed auto and uprated angle gear so Euro 4 was the only engine option.


I never found my Euro 3 XC70 inadequate power wise and when I sold it with 182k on the clock it was running like a swiss watch.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by aland

Agree with you here.
In my case towing a large caravan with a V70 vs XC90, and build quality.
BUT - I feel the Euro3 engine is better than the Euro4 (I have both).
It's more efficient, has far less to go wrong, and doesn't have an appetite for expensive parts like swirl flaps, DPF etc.

I have the E3 in the XC90 and the E4 in the XC70. The E3 is much smoother and refined.... and the 15 year old 170k XC90 is more economical than the E4. Butt the 5-speed auto isn't great compared to the 6-speed in the XC70.

Utopia would be a E3 D5 and 6-speed TF80... but it doesn't exist.

[S60D5-185]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

I have the E3 in the XC90 and the E4 in the XC70. The E3 is much smoother and refined.... and the 15 year old 170k XC90 is more economical than the E4. Butt the 5-speed auto isn't great compared to the 6-speed in the XC70.

Utopia would be a E3 D5 and 6-speed TF80... but it doesn't exist.

My thoughts exactly!

[abnxc90]

My wife and I have have owned our 2003 XC90 D5 since 2011 and it has now done 127K miles. We were looking for a 7 seater auto and this is what we ended up with. I've never owned a Volvo previously and I wouldn't buy another. As an earlier poster has said, the XC90 seems very fragile (mechanical and electrical) and constantly needs parts which are generally quite expensive. Compared to my previous peolpe carrier (Mazda MPV), the handling on road is poor but I presume this is a compromise for all SUVs which have off-road capability. On the plus side, the body seems well protected from corrosion, the seats are comfy and it's really good in the snow (after replacement of the splined collar).