XC90 to XC60 migration - any advice?

Arianne · Nov 19th, 2013, 16:19

Hi folks, I am on the cusp of doing a deal on a factory order XC60 R-design Lux D4 (181bhp) FWD, manual gearbox and with some modest extras. Any advice from existing owners, especially anyone who has driven the new 4cyl 181bhp D4. My dealer has none in stock........

We've owned an XC90 D5 185bhp for a few years but we don't need such a big SUV now and we want some driving fun mixed with the SUV body. We think the R-design chassis & suspension is a good balance. The stats for the new D4 engine look very impressive with performance almost as good as the D5 215bhp AWD but running costs seriously cheaper (VED at £35 and MPG claimed to be up to 67MPG - so real world in the low 50s then!)

Any advice or comments would be much appreciated.

David

BilboBaggins · Nov 19th, 2013, 20:39

Hi
The engine has just been announced and will start rolling off the production line very soon. There are none of these on the road yet. I would say January might be the earliest we see them over here.

Brodick · Nov 20th, 2013, 00:43

Have you test driven the car wit different engine? it would at least give you an idea of who it handles.

You may notice difference going from car with AWD to a FWD car

davidash · Nov 20th, 2013, 07:51

We have two XC60's. a D5AWD and D3FWD. The FWD feels different to the AWD. It is lighter and has plenty of power. I am concious of the slip in front when pulling off at an angle - unlike the AWD.
However, as an all round vehicle, the FWD D3 which is a 2l diesel, it is great to drive. Most folk woiuld probably not notice any difference.
Mu son has an XC90 which I have driven a few times. I find it feels much bigger and heavier. It certainly does not go as quickly as either of our XC60's.
If you look at the specs, the XC60 has slightly more legroom than the XC90!
Good luck.

Arianne · Nov 22nd, 2013, 22:32

Thanks guys,

We've taken the plunge and ordered the D4 181BHP FWD in R design Lux trim with a few extras.

Drive the Deal offered us a package that my local dealer couldn't get near to matching.

So it's a factory build and due for delivery in March 2014. The reason we went for the FWD was partly to secure the first of the 'new generation' 2.0 Volvo engines - the power and efficiency is a turning point for Volvo. The AWD versions won't get the new engines until much later. And our XC90 is AWD but we have found that, as long as we have winter tyres mounted, FWD is almost (almost) as good as AWD in the snow & ice.

The dealer let me try a 163bhp car which was quite good. And they let me try the D5 AWD 215bhp car too. On balance, we think we've made a good choice but we'll have to see when we get it delivered.

I agree with the feedback about the XC90. A lovely car and very roomy but just no fun on the winding Scottish roads where we live. It's a super motorway cruiser or trunk road machine.

Looking forward to joining the XC60 forum very soon

David

Crockers · Nov 22nd, 2013, 22:36

Bet it takes. AGES for March to arrive. Looking forward to hearing about the car. Is it manual or the new 8 speed auto? What extras you go for ? What colour?

Arianne · Nov 22nd, 2013, 22:53

Crockers,

Passion Red, manual (SWMBO refused to drive auto box and I console myself that the efficiency of the manual is my 'silver lining', albeit I personally would have preferred the auto).

Privacy glass, winter pack, front sensors, heated rear seats.

Fancied the 20" wheels but frightened about kerbing them and the extra cost of tyres and the £1200 option cost swung it in favour of the 18" standard diamond cut wheels.

March will come slowly, 'tis true, but we have our old XC90 to sell and it gives us time!

Regards, David

volvorocks · Nov 23rd, 2013, 01:19

Arianne

Once you have your XC60 you must let us all know what it is like to drive with the new VEA engine!

All the best

Arianne · Nov 23rd, 2013, 07:44

Volvorocks,

Will do.....but it'll be March!

That's one review that we'll very much look forward to. We'll use the experience of driving the 215bhp R-design AWD and my current XC90 185bhp AWD as the comparison.

Book me some space in the 'motoring section' of the March edition.

David

volvorocks · Nov 23rd, 2013, 15:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arianne

Volvorocks,

Will do.....but it'll be March!

...if Volvo deliver on time...!! Won't be long till March though, can't believe it is nearly Christmas - again!

Regards

Nov 19th, 2013, 16:19	#1
Arianne Premier Member Last Online: Jan 29th, 2021 20:23 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Scotland	XC90 to XC60 migration - any advice? Hi folks, I am on the cusp of doing a deal on a factory order XC60 R-design Lux D4 (181bhp) FWD, manual gearbox and with some modest extras. Any advice from existing owners, especially anyone who has driven the new 4cyl 181bhp D4. My dealer has none in stock........ We've owned an XC90 D5 185bhp for a few years but we don't need such a big SUV now and we want some driving fun mixed with the SUV body. We think the R-design chassis & suspension is a good balance. The stats for the new D4 engine look very impressive with performance almost as good as the D5 215bhp AWD but running costs seriously cheaper (VED at £35 and MPG claimed to be up to 67MPG - so real world in the low 50s then!) Any advice or comments would be much appreciated. David

Nov 20th, 2013, 00:43	#3
Brodick Master Member Last Online: Jan 9th, 2019 16:15 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Dunblane	Have you test driven the car wit different engine? it would at least give you an idea of who it handles. You may notice difference going from car with AWD to a FWD car __________________ 2015 V40 se Lux D4 manual, Bright Silver 2012 XC60 se Lux D5 geartronic, Inscription silver.(sold 03/15 - gone but never to be forgotten) 2010 XC60 se Lux D5 geartronic, Bright Silver (sold)

Nov 22nd, 2013, 22:32	#5
Arianne Premier Member Last Online: Jan 29th, 2021 20:23 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Scotland	Car ordered - delivery scheduled for March '14 Thanks guys, We've taken the plunge and ordered the D4 181BHP FWD in R design Lux trim with a few extras. Drive the Deal offered us a package that my local dealer couldn't get near to matching. So it's a factory build and due for delivery in March 2014. The reason we went for the FWD was partly to secure the first of the 'new generation' 2.0 Volvo engines - the power and efficiency is a turning point for Volvo. The AWD versions won't get the new engines until much later. And our XC90 is AWD but we have found that, as long as we have winter tyres mounted, FWD is almost (almost) as good as AWD in the snow & ice. The dealer let me try a 163bhp car which was quite good. And they let me try the D5 AWD 215bhp car too. On balance, we think we've made a good choice but we'll have to see when we get it delivered. I agree with the feedback about the XC90. A lovely car and very roomy but just no fun on the winding Scottish roads where we live. It's a super motorway cruiser or trunk road machine. Looking forward to joining the XC60 forum very soon David

Nov 22nd, 2013, 22:36	#6
Crockers Premier Member Last Online: Feb 22nd, 2024 06:49 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: North Wilts	Bet it takes. AGES for March to arrive. Looking forward to hearing about the car. Is it manual or the new 8 speed auto? What extras you go for ? What colour? __________________ XC60 Inscription Pro T5. Mussel Blue with blonde. Xenium, intellisafe pro, towbar, 4 zone , polestar, body styling pack. Apple car play.Tinted windows NOW SOLD

Nov 19th, 2013, 20:39	#2
BilboBaggins New Member Last Online: Feb 14th, 2024 22:11 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Glasgow	Hi The engine has just been announced and will start rolling off the production line very soon. There are none of these on the road yet. I would say January might be the earliest we see them over here.

Nov 20th, 2013, 07:51	#4
davidash Junior Member Last Online: Jun 14th, 2019 15:52 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Durban	We have two XC60's. a D5AWD and D3FWD. The FWD feels different to the AWD. It is lighter and has plenty of power. I am concious of the slip in front when pulling off at an angle - unlike the AWD. However, as an all round vehicle, the FWD D3 which is a 2l diesel, it is great to drive. Most folk woiuld probably not notice any difference. Mu son has an XC90 which I have driven a few times. I find it feels much bigger and heavier. It certainly does not go as quickly as either of our XC60's. If you look at the specs, the XC60 has slightly more legroom than the XC90! Good luck.

Nov 22nd, 2013, 22:53	#7
Arianne Premier Member Last Online: Jan 29th, 2021 20:23 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Scotland	Crockers, Passion Red, manual (SWMBO refused to drive auto box and I console myself that the efficiency of the manual is my 'silver lining', albeit I personally would have preferred the auto). Privacy glass, winter pack, front sensors, heated rear seats. Fancied the 20" wheels but frightened about kerbing them and the extra cost of tyres and the £1200 option cost swung it in favour of the 18" standard diamond cut wheels. March will come slowly, 'tis true, but we have our old XC90 to sell and it gives us time! Regards, David

Nov 23rd, 2013, 01:19	#8
volvorocks Rodney Last Online: Aug 4th, 2016 05:02 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: On The Street	Arianne Once you have your XC60 you must let us all know what it is like to drive with the new VEA engine! All the best

Nov 23rd, 2013, 07:44	#9
Arianne Premier Member Last Online: Jan 29th, 2021 20:23 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Scotland	Volvorocks, Will do.....but it'll be March! That's one review that we'll very much look forward to. We'll use the experience of driving the 215bhp R-design AWD and my current XC90 185bhp AWD as the comparison. Book me some space in the 'motoring section' of the March edition. David

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