Q7 v XC90 v Discovery
Discussion
We have a boggo Momentum spec 2016 XC90 D5 which has been a fabulous car, so much so that we're just about to order the T8 Inscription equivalent for the Gen 3 XC90 out next spring. I don't know too much about the Q7 but don't know why anyone in their right mind would have a Discovery. My brother and his wife both have FFRRs and I'd contend that the XC90 is a better car than the FFRR in all areas except perhaps ride, so I can't imagine it's cheaper sibling would be better
I have a 2020 XC90 T8 Inscription with the family pack (middle booster seat) and I would not sit a 4 year old there as they will have zero side protection. Any decent impact will throw them into the hard shell of the car seats beside them. The booster is a bit rubbish to be honest as it's in the wrong place (two each side would 10x better) I have three boys 13, 11, and 4 months and the 11 year can use it, but he has shot up in hight making it almost redundant. And being higher up his not so little face then obstructs the rear view mirror. The Volvo has rear side airbags which will help the two sitting safely in their seats, the one the middle only has the regular belt which IMO is less than ideal for a small-medium size child.
The Audi I recall has three isofix points, and slightly better access to the rear rise-up seats than the Volvo, where you need to manually slide the bench and tilt the seat back forward, but both are real a pain if you have car seats installed. The Q7 has a better ride and the engine is smoother with more torque, plus the tech is slightly better in the last two versions. The XC90 is a nicer looking car and the hybrid is amazing (for 20 miles) but they had a lot of options and packs so finding a car with the things you want could be more of a challenge. I didn't compare the LR Disco as I couldn't risk the reliability, and whilst I know many are fine, my prior experience of having a brand new LR towed away with less than 300 miles on the clock told me to play it safe.
If you have to have an SUV the 5008 has three rear isofix points in the latest model as does the Citroen version. They would be decent comparables to the Freelander 2 and the Pug gets pretty good reviews. Plus you would get a much fresher car for your budget.
The Audi I recall has three isofix points, and slightly better access to the rear rise-up seats than the Volvo, where you need to manually slide the bench and tilt the seat back forward, but both are real a pain if you have car seats installed. The Q7 has a better ride and the engine is smoother with more torque, plus the tech is slightly better in the last two versions. The XC90 is a nicer looking car and the hybrid is amazing (for 20 miles) but they had a lot of options and packs so finding a car with the things you want could be more of a challenge. I didn't compare the LR Disco as I couldn't risk the reliability, and whilst I know many are fine, my prior experience of having a brand new LR towed away with less than 300 miles on the clock told me to play it safe.
If you have to have an SUV the 5008 has three rear isofix points in the latest model as does the Citroen version. They would be decent comparables to the Freelander 2 and the Pug gets pretty good reviews. Plus you would get a much fresher car for your budget.
We had a 66 plate Disco4 Landmark edition, as it was the runout model it had every option going, excellent space, especially in boot which was used for our 93Kg St Bernard. We had no reliability issues at all.
When above 2 year lease finished we changed to an XC90 R-Design Pro ( diesel) plenty of space again for the dog although not as much height as D4. It felt better bolted together than the D4 and a damn sight more modern . I loved it although the wife preferred the D4
The XC90 got swapped after 2 years for a Defender 110 HSE - boot is much smaller than both D4 or XC 90 but interior passenger space, especially in front is better than D4
When above 2 year lease finished we changed to an XC90 R-Design Pro ( diesel) plenty of space again for the dog although not as much height as D4. It felt better bolted together than the D4 and a damn sight more modern . I loved it although the wife preferred the D4
The XC90 got swapped after 2 years for a Defender 110 HSE - boot is much smaller than both D4 or XC 90 but interior passenger space, especially in front is better than D4
Out of your 3 I would go for the XC90, having had one before and now a Q5. Not driven a Q7 or Disco though.
I noticed your comment about fitting 3 seats across the back so figured I would throw some left field options in the mix - they don't really compete with the 3 in your OP, but you'd get brand-new, top-spec and change from £40k.
Peugeot 5008 - had one of these before the Q5 and much preferred it in pretty much every way other than engine power, not that it really bothered me when we had it. Interior much more interesting than the Q5 and on a par in terms of quality. 3 independent seats in the middle row each on rails plus extra 2 seats in the back that can actually accommodate adults. We had 3 big kid seats across the middle and 2 adults in the 3rd row on a few road trips.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/new...
Citroen C5 Aircross - shares a lot with the Pug 3008/5008. Smaller 5 seater but does have 3 independent seats in the back. Never driven one so can't comment on it.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/new...
I noticed your comment about fitting 3 seats across the back so figured I would throw some left field options in the mix - they don't really compete with the 3 in your OP, but you'd get brand-new, top-spec and change from £40k.
Peugeot 5008 - had one of these before the Q5 and much preferred it in pretty much every way other than engine power, not that it really bothered me when we had it. Interior much more interesting than the Q5 and on a par in terms of quality. 3 independent seats in the middle row each on rails plus extra 2 seats in the back that can actually accommodate adults. We had 3 big kid seats across the middle and 2 adults in the 3rd row on a few road trips.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/new...
Citroen C5 Aircross - shares a lot with the Pug 3008/5008. Smaller 5 seater but does have 3 independent seats in the back. Never driven one so can't comment on it.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/new...
rllmuk said:
From your list I'd say the XC90. Q7 is just meh, in every iteration. Land Rover products are a gamble more than the other two. Ultimately whichever you'll feel happier driving is the correct answer!
My suggestion, even though not what you've asked for, is the GLS. Far rarer, might stretch the budget a bit though.
That’s a really good suggestion, the GLS are really nice 4x4s even though they look huge when compared to a Disco!.My suggestion, even though not what you've asked for, is the GLS. Far rarer, might stretch the budget a bit though.
Out of the 3 mentioned by the OP I’d probably pick the XC90, if you want an LR product and don’t need the 7 seats what about the FFRR?.
I would look for a nice spec XC90. They are proper classy looking big things and I really rate the interior, which is subjective obviously I know.
Having been there done that with JLR, I would not touch another one with a barge pole. Warranty is all fine and well, but JLR UK for me have been awful to deal with and it's just not worth the hassle.
Q7's for me are proper dull, and not a great image imo.
Having been there done that with JLR, I would not touch another one with a barge pole. Warranty is all fine and well, but JLR UK for me have been awful to deal with and it's just not worth the hassle.
Q7's for me are proper dull, and not a great image imo.
I went through the same choice in December 2020. Test drove all 3, in several iterations.
Driving preference (coming from an S5 and Cupra Leon) was Q7>XC90>Discovery
My wife hated the way the Disco drove, it was too boaty/clumsy. And the test car suspension failed (and generally dealer was crap).
The Q7 was too stiff and noisy, and their options packs meant if you wanted a specific option that happened to be on the top spec, then you had to order the top spec and get all the bits you wouldn't necessarily have chosen.
We chose an XC90 T8 Inscription Pro. It's been perfect, and spends most of its time running on electricity.
Driving preference (coming from an S5 and Cupra Leon) was Q7>XC90>Discovery
My wife hated the way the Disco drove, it was too boaty/clumsy. And the test car suspension failed (and generally dealer was crap).
The Q7 was too stiff and noisy, and their options packs meant if you wanted a specific option that happened to be on the top spec, then you had to order the top spec and get all the bits you wouldn't necessarily have chosen.
We chose an XC90 T8 Inscription Pro. It's been perfect, and spends most of its time running on electricity.
rallycross said:
Buy a high spec smax and enjoy how much money you saved and benefit from a far better driving experience and much lower running costs vs any of the above.
I'm in the market for an AWD (proper 4x4 not really needed) large family car and i'm interested in more opinions on the smax/galaxy vs the SUV's mentioned. The smax galaxy seem to be the only MPV available in AWD but don't get compared to SUV's much.Has anyone gone from XC90/Q7/Disco to or from a SMAX/Galaxy?
Obviously the image is totally different, but realistically you buy these cars to serve a purpose, and seems that realistically for the majority of use cases the MPV might do the job better?
The other option could be a 4Motion VW Caravelle
ClaphamGT3 said:
I don't know too much about the Q7 but don't know why anyone in their right mind would have a Discovery. My brother and his wife both have FFRRs and I'd contend that the XC90 is a better car than the FFRR in all areas except perhaps ride, so I can't imagine it's cheaper sibling would be better
Disagree - spend most time split between a late SDV8 L405 and a late TDV8 L322, and have the use of a 2016 XC90 D5 (used that solely for a week over New Year) - the Volvo is more car-like in its handling, if that’s a positive (unsurprising given it’s just a tall estate car), and it’s possibly just a little bit more refined overall than the old RR, but that’s it. It’s a good car, but an entirely unrewarding thing to drive - both RRs are far more appealing. I’d much rather have a Discovery 5 than it (and the Volvo is a non-starter if you ever go near a field). Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff