Discussion
I have pretty much decided the next big estate is going to be a 520d G31 BMW, however spec, interior and looks wise the v90 looks to be the better car, for those that have owned, driven either by or Volvo what’s your thoughts. Am I going to be disappointed with a Volvo ? Budget is going to be d4/5 so around 17k give or take.
They're a very nice place to spend time, I had a V90CC on a cheap lease deal 5 years ago, would have another tomorrow.
Can't comment on the diesel engines, mine was the T5 and liked a drink, but ~7s to 60 made up for that. Despite what people think it could be hustled nicely and the ride comfort was lovely.
Try and look for either the amber or blonde interiors, they do lift the cabin.
Can't comment on the diesel engines, mine was the T5 and liked a drink, but ~7s to 60 made up for that. Despite what people think it could be hustled nicely and the ride comfort was lovely.
Try and look for either the amber or blonde interiors, they do lift the cabin.
Own a 71 plate 530e touring and drove a v90 on hols for 2 weeks.
Appreciate the v90 was rental spec (which may have been a huge factor) but the V90 was somewhat behind the BMW in tech, looks, ride, steering feel and quality.
I'm not sure boot space was any better, due the v90 slopping boot lid, shame they dropped the v70 square cut.
Where as my 2005 v70 D5 (from many years ago) competed favourably with the 2012 BMW 520d that replaced it (even though it was half the price).
Appreciate the v90 was rental spec (which may have been a huge factor) but the V90 was somewhat behind the BMW in tech, looks, ride, steering feel and quality.
I'm not sure boot space was any better, due the v90 slopping boot lid, shame they dropped the v70 square cut.
Where as my 2005 v70 D5 (from many years ago) competed favourably with the 2012 BMW 520d that replaced it (even though it was half the price).
Volvo way cooler. Looks nicer. So much more comfortable, packed full of autonomous tech (adaptive cruise, self steer, collision detect).
BMW quicker, more powerful.
I dislike Volvos, brought a v90 purely as it was cheap, but it was brilliant for 30k miles of ownership - will buy another
I had a T4 on one of those cheap lease deals from 2020 to 2022.
They seem to come well equipped as standard. Mine was a Momentum spec and it came with radar cruise control, rear view camera, hands free tail gate, heated seats etc. I added the winter pack (heated steering wheel and windscreen, remote start) which was great in the colder months.
It's a great car and I enjoyed my "ownership". Tempted to get back into one after my current lease is up and keep hold of as they've been discontinued in the UK.
Downsides? Size if you frequent tight multi storey car parks. The engine is also very much a white good - circa 30mpg was the average I saw.
They seem to come well equipped as standard. Mine was a Momentum spec and it came with radar cruise control, rear view camera, hands free tail gate, heated seats etc. I added the winter pack (heated steering wheel and windscreen, remote start) which was great in the colder months.
It's a great car and I enjoyed my "ownership". Tempted to get back into one after my current lease is up and keep hold of as they've been discontinued in the UK.
Downsides? Size if you frequent tight multi storey car parks. The engine is also very much a white good - circa 30mpg was the average I saw.
Late to the party but I had a T4 V90 Inscription on one of the legendary PH lease deals
It was lovely inside, stupidly I went for the Blonde interior which was stunning and to my huge surprise after running it as dads taxi with 2 teenagers it was still stunning after 18 months. Kit was good, seats astonishing, autonomous steering a hoot, adaptive cruise a bit wussy and one of the best stereos Ive ever had in a car as standard.
Obvs the handling was poor, fuel consumption diabolical - compensated by the lease being cheap as chips - and performance abysmal. On an A road you drove at the speed of the car in front as overtaking was a challenge and on the motorway accelerating from lane 2 to lane 3 was similarly duff so I mostly told the standard adaptive cruise to follow whatever was in front of me. Speaking of which despite having the speed of an asthmatic snail it chewed miles easily - the cabin was a glorious place to sit and the hifi and seats made mile munching a joy. Shame about the small tank, duff mpg and more frequent fuel stops than would be ideal
Ive been in a 530d G31 for the last 3y and its a world of difference......
50mpg with a resulting range of several bladder stops and enough welly to smoke most cars away from the traffic lights. On a trip to Germany I saw Vmax on the autobahn whilst my non petrol head partner slept in the passenger seat without complaint. Mine has the comfort pack with leccy seats plus the HK stereo upgrade all of which Id consider compulsory, and all of which are effectively standard on the V90
Which do I favour over the other???
Tough question, the Volvo was stunning but engines suck. The BMW is faultless but the V90 interior is nicer and you need to throw ££££ at BMWs when filtering spec to avoid the feeling of getting something the middle manager of a photocopier company would drive.
Cheers
I had an F10 520D some years ago and I now have a V90 D5. The V90 is quicker, but still not very exciting from a performance or dynamic perspective.
I had a shortlist of a G31 530D and the V90 when changing cars. I have no doubt that the BMW would make the more exciting car to drive. However, I really loved the look of the Volvo, I think it looks very elegant, especially in the Inscription trim with 20” wheels. The interior too, in my eyes looks much better than the BMW. It’s a really comfortable cruiser, plenty fast enough if I’m honest, bearing in mind todays traffic, speed cameras and potholes and the tech is great and works well. I routinely get 45+mpg on a motorway/A road run.
I’ve had mine 18 months now and plan to keep it long term. Would I have another? Probably not. I’ve never followed one car with a newer one of the same model. Would I recommend one? Definitely.
Oh, one thing to be aware of is the road tax is eye watering unless you find one that was less than £40k when new, but you’d be in the same boat with a 520D I guess?
I had a shortlist of a G31 530D and the V90 when changing cars. I have no doubt that the BMW would make the more exciting car to drive. However, I really loved the look of the Volvo, I think it looks very elegant, especially in the Inscription trim with 20” wheels. The interior too, in my eyes looks much better than the BMW. It’s a really comfortable cruiser, plenty fast enough if I’m honest, bearing in mind todays traffic, speed cameras and potholes and the tech is great and works well. I routinely get 45+mpg on a motorway/A road run.
I’ve had mine 18 months now and plan to keep it long term. Would I have another? Probably not. I’ve never followed one car with a newer one of the same model. Would I recommend one? Definitely.
Oh, one thing to be aware of is the road tax is eye watering unless you find one that was less than £40k when new, but you’d be in the same boat with a 520D I guess?
Gassing Station | Volvo & Polestar | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff