Yesterday's Telegraph.

[tankplanker]

Originally Posted by Deman77

They also complained about rear visibility in that article. First car where rear headrests don't interfere with the view (I used auto drop option twice - once to test and once by accident). Unlike in many cars rear screen wiper clears large enough area, rear water squirter is always at high pressure so only need to press it once. In many cars you have to pump it several times because no pressure in the back line. Fewer distractions=safer.

My only negatives after over a year of ownership:
1) early in model cycle for very high tech model so still plenty of teething issues but manufacturer is resolving them and dealers are reasonably knowledgeable.
2) ride on air springs is patchy over poor surfaces at low speed but great versatility with extra comfort for entry exit and driving modes. Great ride on standard suspension even on 22s.
3) voice recognition is poor when moving - probably not helped by poor road noise performance.
4) road noise on 20s too high for car this good otherwise. Manufacturer has gone a long way towards making it acceptable but if it was even Good the car would be nearly faultless.
5) turbo lag on D5 at low speeds (or slow pick up at low revs low speed). Anything other than very low speeds the engine is fantastic - responsive and quiet. Going around town the accelerator just feels like there is pillow between the pedal and the true accelerator. I am not comparing to other diesels though but to other cars - I am spoiled in that department by 10 years in priuses but surprised diesels still can't get it right after all this time.
Power pulse in my17 onwards arguably improves on that but I haven't had the experience so can't comment. Unless it's a game changer I would probably convince myself to get a T8 if I was buying now.

Other than these I can gush over several pages how great the car is, but it would be not in the spirit of this forum.

For 5 I'm assuming you have tried the car in dynamic mode? If you have then it would be worth you trying the Polestar upgrade as this should further reduce the slow response, if you find it doesn't improve things then you can get your money back.

[nu11eaf]

Originally Posted by Deman77

So you think it's easier to come out of the car go round to the boot press the button to drop the headrests then go back in the car and you have better vision when reversing? I don't think xc90 missed out on anything on only being able to do it through swipe and click in the Sensus

I totally agree with you on that point Deman.

They are a handy option to fold the seats down when loading up the cargo area with a large or long load, as they are intended for, but never to improve rear view vision.
But I honestly cant see the point of the folding headrests, I have never used them or need to, reverse sensors and mirrors work perfectly ok for me and 360 cameras are even better. And such a faff on to have to get out go to the rear seats to put the headrests back up manually.

[tem]

Originally Posted by Deman77

So you think it's easier to come out of the car go round to the boot press the button to drop the headrests then go back in the car and you have better vision when reversing? I don't think xc90 missed out on anything on only being able to do it through swipe and click in the Sensus

You can lower the headrests in the Central Display menu's.
Anyway, I have a reversing camera.

tem.

[Deman77]

Originally Posted by nu11eaf

I totally agree with you on that point Deman.

They are a handy option to fold the seats down when loading up the cargo area with a large or long load, as they are intended for, but never to improve rear view vision.
But I honestly cant see the point of the folding headrests, I have never used them or need to, reverse sensors and mirrors work perfectly ok for me and 360 cameras are even better. And such a faff on to have to get out go to the rear seats to put the headrests back up manually.

To me they only block the useless bits of view - the very far edge lower corners. Hence why I never felt the need to lower them. Utterly pointless function.

Can people please explain what exactly with rear visibility for xc90 that's not good. I can see 95% of tailgate window and through it the car behind me in rear view mirror and it's not blocked by head rests or anything else. I can only not see audis which normally ride on my bumper but if tailgate opening was lower to capture them it would be blocked by second row seats. What should I see in a car with exemplary rear view visibility of this one warrants a negative point on this aspect?

[Deman77]

Originally Posted by tankplanker

For 5 I'm assuming you have tried the car in dynamic mode? If you have then it would be worth you trying the Polestar upgrade as this should further reduce the slow response, if you find it doesn't improve things then you can get your money back.

I have polestar and driving modes. It does not change how soon the power arrives at low revs just throttle response and gear holding.
I found the fastest low speed progress is to get highest revs that still keep the turbo out of it as it saps power and hence lags whilst spooling it.
I am sure for people used to diesels it will not feel slow I just find it really disappointing that in all these years diesels are still so sluggish low down. I would gladly give up some of that higher speed performance just to get it rolling sooner. Electric instant torque spoils you.