Diesel crossovers - are they all hateful?

[thelawnet1]

So the Mrs. says she doesn't want another V8 luxury saloon, cos saloons look old-fashioned innit, and what we need is a crossover cos they look trendy innit.

So we had a look around and she liked the look of the Volvo XC60 and apparently there are only 3 petrol old shape examples anywhere in the country so we would have to make do with the devil's fuel.

Went to look at a (182bhp) D5 auto, and it rattled like a tractor, fairly slow, and same VED as a petrol V8 Audi A8 (£305). So basically utterly hateful. In theory we were getting a good deal to change but it didn't feel like a deal to me.

Are they all this bad, or should I just buy a LWB A8 when she's out shopping for handbags?

Edited by thelawnet1 on Saturday 11th November 22:09

[carl_w]

Maybe look at a 6-pot or 8-pot diesel mated to a decent auto box?

[MorganP104]

What's your budget, OP?

I can think of some quite nice SUVs with cracking petrol engines, but I'll hold my tongue until I know how much you have to play with.

[thelawnet1]

MorganP104 said:

What's your budget, OP?

I can think of some quite nice SUVs with cracking petrol engines, but I'll hold my tongue until I know how much you have to play with.

£10k max.

Wife doesn't want a 'Move bh Get Out The Way' Q7-type SUV, either. Something sort of mid-sized and reasonably modern in styling.

Edited by thelawnet1 on Saturday 11th November 22:13

[SWoll]

The choice of Volvo seems to be the biggest issue here.

A 3.0 petrol or diesel X3/5 would be considerably quicker and more refined from an engine perspective.

[Jack69]

Something like this OP?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[thelawnet1]

SWoll said:

The choice of Volvo seems to be the biggest issue here.

A 3.0 petrol or diesel X3/5 would be considerably quicker and more refined from an engine perspective.

We had a 2003 S80 T5 previously and it was great. But maybe a 2009 D5 is not up to par with a 2003 T5 (despite being slower and no more fuel efficient and based on basically the same platform).

[LasseV]

Yeah,tbh they are crap cars compared to similar saloon and wagons. For example xc90 is not as comfortable or as good to drive than v70 or s80. Yeah i know, boring and not as trendy etc but we test drived a lot of suv's and they all were "notgood". We bought wagon and we are happy because it drives well and it has lot of luggage space. Our next car is maybe v90, we doesn't even consider xc60/90 anymore... For me the biggest problem is that xc they suck if you need proper 4x4 but you still need to pay higher gas bills. Powerful petrol saloon is more fuel efficient than v6 diesel suv in fast paced long distance run...

[SWoll]

thelawnet1 said:

SWoll said:

The choice of Volvo seems to be the biggest issue here.

A 3.0 petrol or diesel X3/5 would be considerably quicker and more refined from an engine perspective.

We had a 2003 S80 T5 previously and it was great. But maybe a 2009 D5 is not up to par with a 2003 T5 (despite being slower and no more fuel efficient and based on basically the same platform).

The joys of having a wife that wants an SUV.

Mine's the same, looking at changing her lease car next year and struggling to convince her that a fully loaded E-Class Mercedes is a far better car than a standard spec GLC, and costs £100 less a month..

[David87]

They’re pretty dull, but so are the petrol ones, to be honest. It’s not like a petrol XC60 is optimised for the Nürburgring.

[MorganP104]

If the wife wants something that will give her a bit of kudos amongst the chattering classes, one of these should fit the bill.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

The mileage is a bit chunky, and I'd prefer an automatic gearbox, but it certainly fits the brief.

Or maybe something from the chaps at BMW?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Straight six 2.5, Si model (so a bit of extra grunt), automatic, and in a nice colour. If I'm being picky, I'd like leather.

[thelawnet1]

David87 said:

They’re pretty dull, but so are the petrol ones, to be honest. It’s not like a petrol XC60 is optimised for the Nürburgring.

No indeed, but it felt more like a Spanish rental car than a supposed luxury SUV. More lack of refinement than performance.

[SWoll]

thelawnet1 said:

No indeed, but it felt more like a Spanish rental car than a supposed luxury SUV. More lack of refinement than performance.

Their 4 cylinder diesels and gearboxes aren't the best, and TBH the XC60 isn't supposed to be a luxury model. That's the XC90.

[Burgerbob]

thelawnet1 said:

Went to look at a (182bhp) D5 auto, and it rattled like a tractor, fairly slow, and same VED as a petrol V8 Audi A8 (£305). So basically utterly hateful.

I rather like the XC60, although I've never had one and never will as I don't see the point of crossovers! - either get an estate or a proper 4x4.

But I did have a V60 with a D4 engine. I've no idea how much they are on the used market but the D4 twin turbo engine released I think in 2014 was much better than the old D5 and effectively replaced it. Much quieter, smoother, more efficient and about the same power. If you're wife drags you back to the XC60, it may be worth, if in budget, looking at this engine instead...?

[anonymous-user]

The early XC60s had the old single turbo D5 which was underpowered, especially with the auto. You ought to try an early 163bhp XC90 though, what a fking duffer. The XC60 was improved a great deal with the facelift in 2010 or so when they got a twin turbo D5 with 205, then 215 and finally 230 or so bhp and were massively improved in every way.

The later FWD D4 models are the new 4 pot VEA engine with an 8 speed gearbox and are pretty much state of the oil burning four pot art. They developed the model continuously over the years and a 2015 model may look like a 2008 model, but really doesn't feel like one to drive. There was a good reason sales just kept steadily increasing right up until last year.

The T6 is hilarious though, early ones were 280bhp and remap to 330bhp odd and the later ones were 300bhp and more efficient, and remap to 350bhp+. They make a nice noise, and the older ones are often a bargain and very highly specified. The AWD system allows for serious dheaded driving for such a lardy bus.

Edited by dme123 on Sunday 12th November 00:38

[Loyly]

I don't think they're all hateful. It depends on what you want them for. They'll never compete with an A8 for luxury! However, I had a 1.6 diesel Honda HRV courtesy car last year and I thought it was pretty good. Decent handling, plenty of grip and reasonable body control. A fairly gutsy but frugal engine and loads and loads of toys, a really impressive spec list that lifted the experience a good degree. If I had one as a company car to thump up and down motorways I'd be quite pleased.

[anonymous-user]

What about a left of centre option with the 3 or 5 series GT?

My daily driver is now a 5GT and its lovely to drive. Awkward looking but I kinda like quirky stuff thats not part of the everyday trend.

[anonymous-user]

lord trumpton said:

What about a left of centre option with the 3 or 5 series GT?

My daily driver is now a 5GT and its lovely to drive. Awkward looking but I kinda like quirky stuff thats not part of the everyday trend.

Good shout, and some bargains to be had.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say try to find a 2.5T Kuga preferably in Titanium trim:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or the X3

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or the Q5

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I'd take the Kuga as it ticks the boxes but it depends on how much SWMBO wants a badge.

[VAGLover]

thelawnet1 said:

So the Mrs. says she doesn't want another V8 luxury saloon, cos saloons look old-fashioned innit, and what we need is a crossover cos they look trendy innit.

So we had a look around and she liked the look of the Volvo XC60 and apparently there are only 3 petrol old shape examples anywhere in the country so we would have to make do with the devil's fuel.

Went to look at a (182bhp) D5 auto, and it rattled like a tractor, fairly slow, and same VED as a petrol V8 Audi A8 (£305). So basically utterly hateful. In theory we were getting a good deal to change but it didn't feel like a deal to me.

Are they all this bad, or should I just buy a LWB A8 when she's out shopping for handbags?

Edited by thelawnet1 on Saturday 11th November 22:09

It sounds easier to get a new partner....