SE vs R-design

[XC60Monkey]

I'm currently an XC60 owner looking to trade up in size due to the arrival of extra kids and thus with great reluctance I'm going to have to say goodbye to my D5SE. I'm currently considering a new XC90 SE or R-Design and was wondering if anyone who has driven them side by side can tell me if there is much difference. I'm no bothered about a sporty ride, just smoothness, comfort and the ability to iron out London potholes. I'm guessing the SE would be the sensible choice but I much prefer the look of the R-Design.

[MtillingVolvo]

I don't think there is a huge difference in the ride. Obviously the R-Design is a little firmer with the 19" Alloys (which means slightly higher tyre prices when it comes to changing them) and slightly stiffer suspension.

The R-Design also comes with Speed Dependant Steering as standard, which is nice at slow speeds, but gives a little less feel at around 30-50mph in my opinion. Active Xenons are nice item to have as well, but more use around dark, bendy, country roads, rather than in London.....

Get down to your local dealer and have a drive in both!

[AB-UK]

If comfort and pothole navigation is important to you, don't go for the Exec or R models - the compulsory minimum 19" wheels make for a harder ride - you will definitely feel every pothole as I do!

[JimG]

Originally Posted by AB-UK

If comfort and pothole navigation is important to you, don't go for the Exec or R models - the compulsory minimum 19" wheels make for a harder ride - you will definitely feel every pothole as I do!

Are you not able to spec smaller wheels when you order an Exec? I would want a smooth and comfortable ride if I spent the money on one.
Exec = Luxury - R model = Sporty, surely.

[t5_monkey]

Originally Posted by XC60Monkey

I'm currently an XC60 owner looking to trade up in size due to the arrival of extra kids and thus with great reluctance I'm going to have to say goodbye to my D5SE. I'm currently considering a new XC90 SE or R-Design and was wondering if anyone who has driven them side by side can tell me if there is much difference. I'm no bothered about a sporty ride, just smoothness, comfort and the ability to iron out London potholes. I'm guessing the SE would be the sensible choice but I much prefer the look of the R-Design.

If you want smoothness and comfort go for the SE.

R-design is fine but it's a bit all frock and no undies unless you have some welly under the bonnet

[CherokeeDriver]

I live Surrey, and drive in London. I put the 20" alloys on my R-Design for better "pot holing" and ride in a straight line. The R-Design is great but be warned; it's wide, and doesn't have a great turning circle, so it's not an ideal town car. It's fine for me to drive into my work parking space, but I'd hate to park it on street, or in a tight car park.

[AB-UK]

I had an SE previously (when the SE spec was much better than it is now) and so I thought I'd have a go at the more "luxury" end, with the Exec.
I asked when at the dealer if I could have 18" wheels, but I was told that I couldn't.
Okay, the Exec has more bells and whistles than my 2003 SE (and notably an inferior sound system), but the ride is much harsher, which I put down to stiffer suspension and thinner rubber on the 19" wheels.

I love the car (as I did my previous XC90) but I thought the Exec model would provide a more comfortable ride.

[MtillingVolvo]

Originally Posted by CherokeeDriver

I live Surrey, and drive in London. I put the 20" alloys on my R-Design for better "pot holing" and ride in a straight line. The R-Design is great but be warned; it's wide, and doesn't have a great turning circle, so it's not an ideal town car. It's fine for me to drive into my work parking space, but I'd hate to park it on street, or in a tight car park.

How does putting 20" Alloys on a car make it better for potholes? Surely you want as much tyre between you and the pothole, not lower profile tyres.

The R-Design is no wider than any of the other models, and the turning circle probably isn't helped by the "upgraded wheels" either

[The Painter]

Originally Posted by MtillingVolvo

I don't think there is a huge difference in the ride. Obviously the R-Design is a little firmer with the 19" Alloys (which means slightly higher tyre prices when it comes to changing them) and slightly stiffer suspension.

The R-Design also comes with Speed Dependant Steering as standard, which is nice at slow speeds, but gives a little less feel at around 30-50mph in my opinion. Active Xenons are nice item to have as well, but more use around dark, bendy, country roads, rather than in London.....

Get down to your local dealer and have a drive in both!

Good advice with the test drive

There is a massive difference in ride comfort, I love the looks of the R Design but the ride is very different to the SE, from a personal point of view I found the handling of all XC90`s to be very good, far superior to a Discovery.

[Fradders]

Test drove an exec and thought it was superb over rough surfaces so I went for that model - mind you I'm coming from an A6 s-line which thumps over white lines never mind potholes!