Where do you see Volvo against other marques?

[Rawas]

XCeed,
Knowing that beauty is not on your priority list, how would you rate the aestatics of your XC60? Do you think that it is a well designed vehicle?

[Volvo2002]

Originally Posted by GMad

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that.
Although I agree that some Japanese designed cars can be a little bland, Honda quite often being an exception to that rule.
But I've got to say, I don't think my S60 is a particularly good looking car!
From the side it's good, from the front it's OK and as for its bum!!! I'm glad I don't have to look at the back of it when I'm driving it, because it is pig ugly.
Fortunately I don't generally buy my working cars for their looks

I disagree, I think the S60 is a fantastic looking car. Both the 2001-2008 model and the latest. I love the lines and the rear shoulder design has allowed the original to age very well.

As you say though, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[GMad]

Originally Posted by Rawas

XCeed,
Knowing that beauty is not on your priority list, how would you rate the aestatics of your XC60? Do you think that it is a well designed vehicle?

I actually have an S60.
As for the ergonomics of said vehicle, in the drivers seat, very comfortable with only the light controls in a bit of a moody position. There are also too many very large blind spots. A and C posts being the main culprits.
Externally and underneath my only main niggles are, severe lack of steering lock, very poor front suspension design and the beam pattern of the headlights leaves alot to be desired (a common Volvo problem in my experience).
So over all, I would rate it as an average car, although an extremely comfortable and so far reliable average car

[Volvo2002]

Originally Posted by GMad

I actually have an S60.
As for the ergonomics of said vehicle, in the drivers seat, very comfortable with only the light controls in a bit of a moody position. There are also too many very large blind spots. A and C posts being the main culprits.
Externally and underneath my only main niggles are, severe lack of steering lock, very poor front suspension design and the beam pattern of the headlights leaves alot to be desired (a common Volvo problem in my experience).
So over all, I would rate it as an average car, although an extremely comfortable and so far reliable average car

Large blind spots I did notice when I was in one myself. I find my S40 has the same issue. The high boot-lid gives restricted vision when reversing and the rear pillars create large blind spots when trying to see down the street when leaving the drive-way.

[XCeed]

Originally Posted by Rawas

XCeed,
Knowing that beauty is not on your priority list, how would you rate the aestatics of your XC60? Do you think that it is a well designed vehicle?

Beauty is certainly not on my priority list - but yes, I do like what I see in the XC60.

Most 4x4s tend to be boxy (think Discovery, XC90, Jeep, MLs) which some people like. I don't. In the XC60, I see a modern, streamlined profile, never before apparent to me in a Volvo saloon. Others may see something entirely diiferent, that's fine.

(Edit - Design features - well visibility is excellent, wing mirrors are huge, blind spots acceptable (considering the bulkheads). I don't like the fiddly buttons (especially cruise control) and the speedo/dash could be better lit for dull days.)

But at the risk of repeating myself, it's the comfort, ride quality, build quality and value for money that pleases me most...

[XCeed]

Originally Posted by Rawas

XCeed,
Knowing that beauty is not on your priority list, how would you rate the aestatics of your XC60? Do you think that it is a well designed vehicle?

Since you ask, judge for yourself! Is there much not to like about this??

[Volvo2002]

Lovely car Xceed.

[Rawas]

Originally Posted by XCeed

Since you ask, judge for yourself! Is there much not to like about this??

On the contrary, I think that the XC60 is a beautiful car, it is a refined piece of engineering that is got a lot of charm and charisma. Actually my younger brother has one, it is a T6 though.
The whole point was to underline the differences between the cultures of the east and west and their different approaches of making cars, and how do we perceive that from a design point of view.
What I really wanted to do next was to discuss two different products that belong to the same "western school" of thoughts to show why we can not compare a Mercedes to a Volvo and vice versa.

[Crockers]

My last cars have been - starting with what I have.
Volvo V60
Mercedes C320 CDi
Volvo S60
Audi A6
Saab 9-5
Mercedes E240
Mercedes C200
Audi 80 V6

So I loved the ride of the Mercedes - very smooth. I loved the performance of the C320 CDi engine. I hated it's reliability and the way it ate rear tyres @ 12-15k. Stayed on drive in snow.
The audi A6. Horrid seats. But pretty car. Prestige - no way.
Saab - fantastic seats - great cruiser. Loved it. But not reliable. Ate 3 ECUs.
Volvo - S60 nice. Prestige - no. Quality -yes. Loved the seats hated the steering lock. Really hated that.
Current V60. Love the lines. Get many compliments. Great cruiser. Ride ok. Maybe would be better on 17" wheels. I wouldn't have chosen 18" but they were on the car. Mpg ok - Merc was as good. Handling - would leave Merc for dead over a feisty back road. Performance - ok. Prestige car? I think it's up there with them now. Build quality is as good.

All IMHO of course.

[volvorocks]

Originally Posted by Rawas

Thank you Volvorocks and Volvo2002, also many thanks for any other member who wish to contribute.
Before we reach any assesments or conclusions, may I ask you another related question? Do you agree with me that there is a certain static and dull qualities to the design of a 1998 Toyota Camry compared to a dynamic and sharp qualities to the design of a Volvo S70 of the same year?
Photos attached.

Japanes cars tend to 'serve a purpose' - a bit like a washing machine or a fridge!. They lack emotion. Regards the Camry and the S70, I think neither car 'raises the pulse' really, although I like the sound an S70 makes.

Originally Posted by Volvo2002

Large blind spots I did notice when I was in one myself. I find my S40 has the same issue. The high boot-lid gives restricted vision when reversing and the rear pillars create large blind spots when trying to see down the street when leaving the drive-way.

Thats an understatement! Reversing in the S40 due to the high bootline is at best 'difficult'..!!

Originally Posted by XCeed

Beauty is certainly not on my priority list - but yes, I do like what I see in the XC60.

Most 4x4s tend to be boxy (think Discovery, XC90, Jeep, MLs) which some people like. I don't. In the XC60, I see a modern, streamlined profile, never before apparent to me in a Volvo saloon. Others may see something entirely diiferent, that's fine.

But at the risk of repeating myself, it's the comfort, ride quality, build quality and value for money that pleases me most...

I tend to agree with you regards the XC60 design,although wouldn't go as far as to suggest the car is 'value for money'..!! improvements could be made with the way some of the technology works.

Originally Posted by Rawas

On the contrary, I think that the XC60 is a beautiful car, it is a refined piece of engineering that is got a lot of charm and charisma. Actually my younger brother has one, it is a T6 though.
The whole point was to underline the differences between the cultures of the east and west and their different approaches of making cars, and how do we perceive that from a design point of view.
What I really wanted to do next was to discuss two different products that belong to the same "western school" of thoughts to show why we can not compare a Mercedes to a Volvo and vice versa.

Aren'y you agreeing with Xceed as oppose to disagreeing? yes the XC60 is a nice car to look at, and I agree it has a certain charm and charisma.there are many areas that could be improved though.Design in Volvos is very simple, and I like this.Less is in some respects more.

Regards