XC90 and its dated engine, Volvo need to buckle up

[RoyMacDonald]

Originally Posted by Banzai

Current X5 has 7 seats AFAIK.

It looks interesting. I can't find info on sizes on the BMW web site though. The site is all very pretty but lacking in basic info. I like the heads up display. Not sure about the lack of ground clearance but that might just be the photos as there is no info posted.

It's not as ugly as the Q7 but I still prefer the looks of the XC90, but I wouldn't dismiss it without a good look in the metal.

Are they full size seats?

[TWPC]

Picture here of the X5's boot with the 3rd row seats up: http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/....0d-SE/225524/

The comment from the Autocar review is "BMW recommends the rearmost seats are suitable for passengers up to 1.7m in height – about 5ft 7in – but even this is a squeeze. Boot space ranges from 200 litres to 1750 litres, which is less than the longer Audi Q7 and Merc GL provide, and marginally less than the Volvo XC90. The middle-row accommodation is adequate if not exceptional."

[RoyMacDonald]

That's a good article. Says the wade depth is 500mm and it's 187mm longer and 17mm wider than the old model. All the figures look good, on paper at any rate. The AWD is optimised for road use though.

[gillberry]

On an episode of top gear (an old one ) Clarkson had the extra seats up in a Disco and an xc90 , on the xc90 he could get a childs bike in behind the seats and shut the boot but in the Disco he couldn't .

When we looked into getting our xc90 we wanted the boot space for our 2 gsd's and looking at the x5 etc they did not have as much space as the xc90 . On top of that we like the styling and with a massive price difference the xc90 wins hands down . As to the performance figures if you're only interested in a 0-60 time surely your looking at the wrong type of car . Our is a 185 and for overtaking and cruising she is great and when pulling away the way the awd system works it's like having a launch control so we find for the size of car performance is more than adequate .

[polar bear]

I test drove 2 second hand Q7,s and neither were over 18mpg on trip computer when i started them. so much for quoted figures

[The Painter]

Can`t comment on the Q7 because it is ridiculously expensive, I can comment on the Q5 because I looked in depth at one, my local dealer got me a demonstrator and it was a horrible soulless lump to drive even with the 3.0 diesel, i like a car to have character and the Xc90 with it`s 5 cylinder diesel has plenty of it.

Plus and it is a big plus as far as I`m concerned, you don`t look a knob in the XC, I will leave it there.

[yeoman]

Originally Posted by TWPC

Picture here of the X5's boot with the 3rd row seats up: http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/....0d-SE/225524/

The comment from the Autocar review is "BMW recommends the rearmost seats are suitable for passengers up to 1.7m in height – about 5ft 7in – but even this is a squeeze. Boot space ranges from 200 litres to 1750 litres, which is less than the longer Audi Q7 and Merc GL provide, and marginally less than the Volvo XC90. The middle-row accommodation is adequate if not exceptional."

The 3rd row of seats in the beemer are pretty useless. I mad the mistake of trying them out and almost went into cramp EVERYWHERE trying to get out.. 1.7 metres ??? I think not !!!The only person who will be relatively OK in that row is a bilateral ( above knee) amputee. !

[Clan]

Originally Posted by npw

Don't forget, the XC90 was never intended to last this long in it current form. It should have been pensioned off a couple of years ago, but because of Volvo's lack of funds and subsequent sale to the Chinese, the replacement is still some way off. Because Volvo got the original design so right, and it still sells like hot cakes, particularly in America, they have recouped their tooling and R&D costs long ago, allowing massive discounts. When the new car does arrive, expect a modest retail price increase and 'normal' discounts. So where as you can now get an exec for £32k ish, think 10 grand more, and then Volvo will have really stiff competition, and many of us on this forum will probably look elsewhere.

Just my thoughts for what they are worth

The XC90 had record sales in UK last year ... so people must want them , if they want a BMW or an Audi let them ... If they like volvos and have the need for 7 seats a XC90 is just the job ..

[RoyMacDonald]

The resale value is great as well. I just paid £2,700 for a V70 D5 SE but an equivelant D5 XC90 would have been more like £10,000, otherwise I'd have added another XC90 to the collection.

[galloot633]

would someone tell where they find the xc " lacks performance " are you talking about hill climbing or towing ? 'fraid I dont do that , so i cant tell , but if youre talking about motorway performance i find they have more than enough and have never yet run out of steam , how fast do you want to go ? anything over a hundred and you'll soon have the blue flashing lights in your rear mirror , as for comparing volvo's to audi's dont make me laugh , i bet someone must own a trouble free audi , but knowbody I know !
dave
ps I'm quite happy with the economy 'till Roy tells us about his 165's, Ha !