Shall I or shall I Not

[sk546]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

Fair point about the comfort levels varying depending on what spec you have.

However, I disagree in certain aspects. Driving an XC90 is different to driving an XC60. Its not just size that's the difference, its built different in terms of soundproofing for example. XC90's aren't just dearer because they're bigger... The same applies to other models. You have the flagship model, then the models below. That's not being harsh, its the reality of it. A flagship model isn't the same as the models below. It may seem that cars are identical, but they aren't. You can't just sit in one and say "Oh, its the same". There's a price difference for a reason, and, that isn't simply due to size.

For example with my own car. I've driven an S60, which looks similar, but not as big as the S80. I can assure you that my car drives different... its better insulated for a start. Not that there's anything wrong with an S60, but you can tell the difference to the flagship model then to the one below it.

I don't disagree that manufacturer have 'flagship' models and these cars are usually the ones the manufacturer throws all the bells and whistles at, however, the manufacturers that do this dont usually build all of its cars off the same scaleable architecture (as Volvo do with the SPA's).

I have driven a top spec XC90 (at the time an Inscription Pro T8) and I could tell no noticeable sound proofing or quality difference between that and my XC60 except that the XC90 felt and drove like a much bigger car which it is.
Pretty every other Volvo (apart from the S60 & V60 Polestar Engineered models that is) are far to soft and 'boatie' for my preference and the larger size of the XC90 combined with the air suspension made it feel even bigger and more cumbersome than the normal XC60's to drive but my XC60 (with the Polestar Chassis and suspension improvements) drives like a sports car in comparison.
Most Volvo owners probably much prefer the 'comfort' levels in such cars but its not for me which is why I chose the 'flagship' Polestar Engineered car (as they only made them in the 60 size cars and not 90's) so yes, I do know how a flagship model feels in comparison to the models below.

[Kugaman1]

Sorry but its simply wrong.

My XC60 R Design pro is every bit as quiet as my workmates XC90. Both are B5 mild hybrid models.

The interiors are of identical quality.

Apart from being slightly smaller, there is not a single thing you can point to that makes the xc90 a flagship model over the xc60.

Maybe its because I have the R design pro that mines feels very plush? Dunno but theres no way an xc 90 is better soundproofed or better design quality in any way whatsoever.

Its a slightly bigger car and thats the only difference. Certainly no difference in quality.

[James77]

Absolutely 100% wrong. My 60 is incredibly quiet and refined and the seats excellent every bit as a 90. Price is size and kudos not build quality. Same parts same build processes. This isn't the 1980s

[Kev0607]

I take your points onboard and they're interesting. Maybe that's the difference then... Volvo build to a scalable platform, carrying over parts/quality between cars. Other manufacturer's do the same to an extent, but don't carry as much across, which means there's often big differences in quality between models.

For comparative purposes, take Mercedes for example... The difference between the C class, E Class and S class is night and day, its not just size. An S Class its a top spec luxury saloon, which none of the other saloon models they make come close to in more ways than one (comfort, refinement, interior quality, space and price). BMW are the same on this front, as are Jaguar and Lexus. Before anyone tells me an E Class is the same as an S Class and size is the only difference, I can assure them in the nicest way possible that they're totally wrong. I know this from experience, as my family have owned a variety of Mercedes over the years including E Class' and S Class'. Put it this way, if I had a blindfold, I'd know which one I was in. The same applies to the SUV's that they make, there's differences between models, not just size.

Maybe the SPA cars are different. Maybe because I was driving the daddy of the SUV's (XC90), it felt different to the XC60... that could well be all in my head. On previous platforms though, you could tell the difference between models in my opinion. Other manufacturers do things differently I guess.

[Kugaman1]

You do make a fair point with other brands and Volvo are the same to a degree…..

The XC40 is noticeably lower quality in several areas of the interior.

However, as I said earlier, I can see no difference at all between the xc60 and xc90.

[Philip Fisher]

Originally Posted by Kugaman1

You do make a fair point with other brands and Volvo are the same to a degree…..

The XC40 is noticeably lower quality in several areas of the interior.

However, as I said earlier, I can see no difference at all between the xc60 and xc90.

Whenever I get in an XC40 and pull down the sun visor I feel the cheapness....

[James77]

Originally Posted by Philip Fisher

Whenever I get in an XC40 and pull down the sun visor I feel the cheapness....

Agreed had XC40s as loaners and very different experience.

[Philip Fisher]

Originally Posted by James77

Agreed had XC40s as loaners and very different experience.

Actually I find them not bad cars (and that is coming from a T8 XC90) just a bit bouncy and cheap sun visors, but other than that not at all a bad place to sit. Volvo do seem absolutely on it with lovely interiors these days.

I know my EX30 is going to built to a price, but I hope that I like it. My XC90 is just about to clock over to 170k miles so it is definitely time for a change and I couldn't face the big money of an EX90.

[MCV60]

From memory the sun visors on the S/V60 were cheap in comparison to V/S/90 and distinct lack of integrated rear sun blinds and door pocket liners in the V/S60 over the 90

Do the XC/V/S60 come with adaptive cruise control and pilot assist as standard?

[rmvm]

Interesting to read all the varying comments and opinions with regard to the various Volvo models. All I can say is the XC60 inscription plus feels special, my previous car a V90 Cross country felt special too but in a very different way and if I am being honest I do prefer the XC60. Thanks to everyone for a very interesting thread. Roy