Mechanical Reliability

[Llwyndy]

I've got a budget of £12,000 and im torn between an xc90 or an xc60. Main criteria is caravan towing (1600kg), also 2 dogs in the boot. Having been stung by a crap Land Rover Disco Sport, im looking for the most bullit proof version of either vehicle, any advice?

[Moose Test]

I don't think either came with dogs in the boot but there are plenty of horses up front.

I've not owned an XC60 but I did have a late era XC70, which is based on the same "P3 Platform". I've also owned a couple of (earlier, Platform P2) XC90s.

All were well maintained by both previous keepers and myself (this is, I believe, an important indicator of future reliability and maintenance costs) and none experienced any major issues in upwards of 70k miles.

From a reliability standpoint, I'd therefore recommend you choose whichever you prefer and best meets your other criteria.

[GrahamBrown1]

XC90 would be my choice.

Far superior belt set up on the engine. Heavier duty AWD system and far less FoMoCo stamped on everything. Not that there is anything wrong with the XC60 or any of the P3 cars of which I’ve had many but going by your wording I would say XC90. It will also be far more spacious inside. Depending if you’re looking for manual or auto but manual XC90s are a rare thing now especially later ones.

[Forg]

If it helps, you can't get anything much in the entire world that's less reliable than a Range Rover or Land Rover ... really cheap rubbish from CCP Land (which would have you topping yourself if you were subjected to needing to operate it daily) is more reliable.

Of the same age I don't think there's much difference between "an XC60" and "an XC90".
The differences WRT reliability are more related to powertrain; I'm in Australia so I have no idea how the various diseasal engines last, but definitely avoid any dual-clutch gearbox. I'd also avoid a turbo 6cyl petrol engine. I don't know if the 2.5 petrol turbo is too old, but that's a pretty reliable engine & matched with the conventional auto or a manual I think that's the best petrol bet ... but I don't know whether your £12k buys something newer & more frugal.

[Tannaton]

I've had two XC60's and two Mk 1 XC90's and have on my drive a 2011 XC90 D5 Exec and a 2015 XC60 SE Lux (and have had for a year).

Both are brilliant cars and in D5 version will tow you van with ease.

I prefer the XC90 as it is quieter and more comfortable than the XC60 - it's not that the XC60 isn't, but the 90 is sublime.

However.... I've found the XC60 to be more reliable. It may be that the youngest XC90 Mk 1 are at least 10 years old now but my XC60 (I am the second owner but have full history and invoices) has had two springs, a drivers seat heating pad and a ABS sensor in 154k miles - that's it.

The XC90 in my year of ownership with 120k on it has had a steering angle sensor, 2 engine mounts, spare wheel which, CD player audio module, door wiring repair and a front strut top mount. And it needs probably 2 more engine mounts to restore its silky smooth feeling.

The gearbox and AWD systems on both cars are identical, XC60 is a good airy cabin but the XC90 has massive amounts of space and versatility with the 7 seat format where you can lower both rows of seats on one side only.

To summarise I would say the XC60 is slightly more robust due to tougher suspension components but that makes is slightly less comfortable. Hence XC90 will need more maintenance but it's just the best thing to sit in and carry your family around on holiday.

Tech is older in XC90 also - no DAB radio and old SAT NAV but post 2011MY cars have I-phone connectivity so can use apps on your phone.