2015 XC90 Pictures

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Discussion

Acamp76144

65 posts

121 months

Sunday 5th April 2015
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I think there will be a big risk re residuals on the hybrid. The tech for hybrids is very early so by definition the t8 will 'date' more quickly. The Diesel engine is much lower risk, and will make up the vast majority of sales. Doesn't mean I'm not tempted as my mrs will mainly do the school run in it, but is a heart decision not a head one...

After_Shock

8,751 posts

219 months

Tuesday 7th April 2015
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Acamp76144 said:
I think there will be a big risk re residuals on the hybrid. The tech for hybrids is very early so by definition the t8 will 'date' more quickly. The Diesel engine is much lower risk, and will make up the vast majority of sales. Doesn't mean I'm not tempted as my mrs will mainly do the school run in it, but is a heart decision not a head one...
Lexus/Toyota seem to do ok with older hybrids. Personally id still take the T6 over the T8, but that's personal.

If it was a company car or I owned a company for BIK reasons the T8 would be the way to go.

After_Shock

8,751 posts

219 months

Tuesday 7th April 2015
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kryten22uk said:
The idea of RSE to me means it must be permanent and integrated. I don't want to have the hassle of remembering to take separate iPads into the car each trip, nor worrying about hiding them when we get to the destination.

Let's hope they come up with a decent solution next.
The I pad holders are available to order from Week 17 with planned delivery from Week 22 so they must have sorted that crash safety issue with them.

Looket

688 posts

120 months

Friday 17th April 2015
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mybrainhurts

90,809 posts

254 months

Saturday 18th April 2015
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Can't say I like the styling. Compared to the previous one, it's a big step backwards and the previous one hasn't been here very long, has it?

BlackLabel

13,251 posts

122 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
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mybrainhurts said:
Can't say I like the styling. Compared to the previous one, it's a big step backwards and the previous one hasn't been here very long, has it?
The previous XC90 has been around since 2002.

mybrainhurts

90,809 posts

254 months

Friday 24th April 2015
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BlackLabel said:
mybrainhurts said:
Can't say I like the styling. Compared to the previous one, it's a big step backwards and the previous one hasn't been here very long, has it?
The previous XC90 has been around since 2002.
Yes, I noticed that, but thanks anyway. The most recent styling facelift is what I'm talking about, which I think looks far better than the blandness of the new one.

After_Shock

8,751 posts

219 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
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mybrainhurts said:
The most recent styling facelift is what I'm talking about,
Which is almost identical to the 2002 car, its literally not changed!

Acamp76144

65 posts

121 months

Sunday 10th May 2015
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The new XC90 looks night and day different to the old one - are you blind?!

I've just ordered one (R-Design D5 which I will Polestar when available) as our "family" car, which will replace an X5. Other potentials were a RR sport and the new Q7. On balance it was the design,tech features and spec that swung it - and a desire to get something different from the usual choices (which have become somewhat predictable and maybe even boring). I never would have considered a volvo before. I suppose thats what $10bn+ of Chinese cash can do for a brand

Acamp76144

65 posts

121 months

Sunday 10th May 2015
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The new XC90 looks night and day different to the old one - are you blind?!

I've just ordered one (R-Design D5 which I will Polestar when available) as our "family" car, which will replace an X5. Other potentials were a RR sport and the new Q7. On balance it was the design,tech features and spec that swung it - and a desire to get something different from the usual choices (which have become somewhat predictable and maybe even boring). I never would have considered a volvo before. I suppose thats what $10bn+ of Chinese cash can do for a brand

oop north

1,592 posts

127 months

Tuesday 12th May 2015
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Have you driven one or seen on yet? My local dealer has their demonstrator arriving by the end of this month I think - looking forward to trying it out

Nick644

241 posts

266 months

Thursday 14th May 2015
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Meant to be test driving an XC90 tomorrow, (Friday). Awaiting confirmation it will be available. Will report back if I get to drive it.

ilovevolvo

1,832 posts

223 months

Friday 15th May 2015
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Our local dealer has one it will be in there showroom over the weekend Cambridge garage Volvo Havant

Nick644

241 posts

266 months

Friday 15th May 2015
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ilovevolvo said:
Our local dealer has one it will be in there showroom over the weekend Cambridge garage Volvo Havant
Hope you have better customer service than I have had to endure. I'm not sure the dealers realise that the new XC90 pushes them into a more premium sector and the amateur disinterested lazy sales techniques will eventually damage the marques image. I think I'll stick to Mercedes, who have in recent years understood exemplary customer service and the repeat custom it creates and wait for the updatde GL to arrive next year. Sure they'll sell loads of XC90's but I'm a bit of a dinosaur and value dealers that returns calls and gives the impression of being vaguely interested in their customers, besides, bit unsure I want to spend so much money on a 4 cylinder car.

Edited by Nick644 on Friday 15th May 19:06


Edited by Nick644 on Friday 15th May 19:08

oop north

1,592 posts

127 months

Saturday 16th May 2015
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We shall see - am struggling to think I can bring myself to buy one at the price, though will depend on the test-drive: have just specced one up with a few bits and pieces and even a D5 momentum gets to £53k very quickly (and am tempted by the B&W stereo at £3k so not included that) - I can get a D4 HSE with more spec for that (discounts are available and I get an extra discount for being NFU farmer/grower member) - and that comes with a proper spare wheel. too, though it is of course getting towards the end of the model's life

Nick644

241 posts

266 months

Monday 18th May 2015
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Ok, so managed to get a test drive in an XC90 finally, after being mucked around by the salesperson, no phone calls being returned etc... They rang first thing this morning full of apologies and I drove one later this morning.

So the guy knew almost nothing about the car with reference to how any of the controls worked. as a consequence, no idea whether it had adaptive cruise, how to operate the on board computer and due to an impending software update the touch screen wasn't fully operable. I have no idea whether it was the 'Inscription' model or whether it was running standard suspension or air suspension. I've dropped an email with these questions and hope to know more later.

First impressions? If I am being honest, a little underwhelmed. I guess having come from a previous shape well specced Mercedes S class and currently drive a Mercedes estate with every option, maybe I have unreasonably high expectations. Thought the Range Rover I test drove a few months back was significantly more luxurious with a far better ride though of course this is a more expensive vehicle especially with options. This may be because the car didn't have the air suspension, was riding on bigger wheels and didn't have the panoramic sun roof which I think is essential. Did have the blonde perforated interior which really lifted the cabin. Would have looked better with the natural walnut but had the stainless steel trim which was a bit underwhelming. However, from a practical point I suspect the blonde colour will mark badly over time. After only a couple of days of use there were a couple of marks on the blonde steering wheel trim, which wouldn't have shown on black trim. Blonde interior is stunning none the less however.

My 7 month pregnant wife was in the back and reported the rear seats were a bit uncomfortable and didn't have much in the way of thigh support and she mentioned how she felt every bump in the road, so wasn't impressed with the ride. She also mentioned she thought the exterior of the car was rather bland. The test car was black. Ember black might be a better choice as it has a subtlle red metallic which catches the light. Front occupants have no worries with comfort and the front seats are supremely comfortable. The rear occupants do have plenty of space which is impressive..the interior is far better packaged than a Range Rover and the 7 seat option is very impressive both in terms of how the seats are quite easy to access, are comfortable and fold flat giving huge boot space. With 7 seats up, less boot space than an Audi sport back, but still fine for the weekly shop. Bit too tight for large baby buggies with 7 seats up.

The D5 engine was very refined, with plenty of torque and the auto box matched the engine very well always in the righ gear maximising torque, translating in extremely smooth effortless progress. You'd never know it was a diesel, so well insulated from the cabin it is. More than powerful enough for all situations. If you want a car to hoon around in, a two tonne 7 seater is probably not the car for you. Very smooth on motorways, very car like and easy to place on the road. If you push it around corners, you quickly feel it's bulk and the steering becomes a little woolly, which is to be expected. Very relaxing to drive, but not the calming insulation you feel from an S class or latest Range Rover. I suspect this car didn't have air suspension, which brings me on to my final point.

The sales executive rather put a downer on the whole experience, from mucking me around with the original test drive, to not returning calls and then when we met eventually, having almost no idea about the specs and how the controls on the car operate. Didn't instill me with a huge amount of enthusiasm to put a deposit down. They had the car since Thursday last week. If it had been me, I would have asked my manager to spend a couple of hours in the car after work to learn how everything works, from the touch screen to the steering wheel controls. There is a lot of tech on this car, most of which I have had on previous cars, but I would have liked to have seen how it works on this car. Much of it looked quite complicated and non intuitive, but no doubt after a week it probably would be second nature. After the drive, together we worked out how to access the computer to work out what mpg the car has been averaging over the past three or four days, 31-32 mpg. So not fantastic but probably on a long motorway run you're likely to see late 30's, early 40's, depending on what you're carrying.

Would I buy one? Wife not that impressed. I could be tempted but wasn't wowed. Probably wait and see what to Audi Q7 Etron is like and keep an eye on what Mercedes will do with the GL. I liked it but will probably wait six months and see.

Edited by Nick644 on Monday 18th May 15:24

Nick644

241 posts

266 months

Monday 18th May 2015
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kapiteinlangzaam said:
Which dealer did you use?

Other demonstrators I have seen look to be D5 Momentum spec, which is absolute base spec and NO air suspension.

Every review I have read so far suggests that the air-ride is an absolute must.

I also think its a little unfair to compare it to a RR or RRS, they are not the same market segment.
Don't want to name and shame the dealer. Just had confirmation that it didn't have the optional air suspension. Definite must in the UK I suspect. I did drive it in the rain, so road noise would be higher. I would still expect the XC90 to be significantly quieter than a C class Mercedes or Audi Sportback, unfortunately, on standard suspension, it isn't. I think I would also opt for 19inch wheels, which are 235 55's as oppose to the 275 40's. Will further absorb potholes and typical UK road imperfections and less tyre roar with the smaller foot print, not to mention cheaper tyre replacements.

Edited by Nick644 on Monday 18th May 21:38

kryten22uk

2,344 posts

230 months

Tuesday 19th May 2015
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kapiteinlangzaam said:
Which dealer did you use?

I also think its a little unfair to compare it to a RR or RRS, they are not the same market segment.
Why not? I think it is in the market with RRS, along with Q7, ML, X5. If its not, then what is in its segment?

djone101

942 posts

283 months

Tuesday 19th May 2015
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kryten22uk said:
Why not? I think it is in the market with RRS, along with Q7, ML, X5. If its not, then what is in its segment?
I'd tend to agree with kapiteinlangzaam that the comparison isn't entirely fair.
Based mainly on price; XC90 starts at circa £45k, RRS starts at £62k and RR at £75k.
It's much closer to Q7, X5 and ML pricing in my opinion.

I loved the XC90 when I saw it at Geneva and am looking forward to driving it soon followed by doing the man maths to justify it replacing our XC60.

kryten22uk

2,344 posts

230 months

Tuesday 19th May 2015
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kapiteinlangzaam said:
Q7, ML, X5, LR Disco certainly.

RR and RRS are a price class above.
The RRS base price includes more as standard compared to what you get in the Q7/X5/ML. So they’re more similar priced once spec’d. All are more expensive than XC90. Either way, I don’t think the price dictates the segment as much with this class. The class is for a 7-seat 4x4, for which all of the above compete. The new XC90 is currently competing by pricing lower, acknowledging its probably lower quality, but its still in the same segment.