Volvo XC60 / XC90 hybrid test drives

[Bart]

Good Man....Great write-up, you put the regular motoring press to shame ! The last Volvo I was in was a mid-seventies 244 DL with a caravan on the back, they've clearly come along somewhat. I imagine the 'new' XC60' will sell in huge numbers, the T8 sounds interesting.

[goron59]

Ah thanks
Last (and first) Volvo I drove was a 360GLT back in 1985 or 6. That was a pretty good car.

[Isleaiw]

Thanks for the write up. I am a Volvo man (current XC70 bought for dog shifting and house moving duties, and earlier S60s (x2), an early S40 and an 850....oh, and a short term old model XC60 as a company car fill in for a few months.

I like the new XC60 and have looked hard at the T5, as well as new SQ5, GLC43 and upcoming X3 M40i. Interestingly, I decided that if I was going sporty the Macan was it but the comparison to the Volvo was harder as very different beasts. In the end I decided GTS for now and look again at the Volvo in a couple of years if I fancy something more relaxing and when discounts are better....

[Ian.g]

I used to have an S80. Very good car. I told my wife she should have had an XC60 instead of a Discovery Sport. She wouldn't listen and so she has regular trips to the lousy dealer to sort out problems! Maybe next time.

[Wing Commander]

Probably won't. I've given myself until September to decide what to do with the Macan (keep/replace/move on)
An option for now is a nice car for general stuff and a fun car for other times.
I'm not at all precious about the Porsche badge so it needs to keep me on merit.

Sounds to me like two cars would be your ideal (if you have the space). As you've hinted at, a 'sensible' everyday car and a fun, proper sports car (maybe even another R8!?).

Yes... up until now I only had one spot for parking, but that's going to change from the New Year. For a fun car, I thought about the MX5, or maybe a pre-718 Boxster. R8? If I could find an early manual V10, that would be perfect (and they're appreciating now). It just needs to be [front]mid-engined, manual and NA.

Good news about your forthcoming improved parking situation that clearly doubles your motoring options! I can feel a return to a V10 manual R8 on the horizon...

Sure you wouldn't consider a rear-engined, PDK-equipped, turbo-charged 911!?

[goron59]

[Obebiker]

I agree that was an excelent write up!
I will admit that Volvo have come a long way. I considered the old xc60, but poor gearbox and rough d5 engine put me off big time and I ended up with a BMW X3. From sounds of things they have now nailed the gearbox and engines are a vast improvement. I would be very tempted by the hybrid xc60. Straight line performance looks good, I am just worried that it will be a bit sloppy in the corners, probably will let's be honest. So come on Porsche gives us a good EV hybrid Macan.

[goron59]

So I gather that there will be a limited UK allocation of the XC60 T8 and they're all gone, so if I did want one, I'd have to be on the waiting list for the 2018 allocation.
Should be good for residuals I suppose, but I'm still not in a position to commit.

[goron59]

This kind of makes the Q5 e-Tron a similar mechanical proposition to the XC60 T8... but about 100hp down on the Volvo.

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new- ... -late-2018

[Rigger]

There's an interesting write up of the T8 in this weeks Autocar. Competent but no F-Pace or Macan was the view in respect of handling. And for smoothness..... ".... as smooth as the father of the bride hitting the floor for the wedding dance".

Still, I have always liked the XC60 and it, or an XC40, could be a contender for the next daily car..........