Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) XC90 T8 Twin Engine or X5M

I'm debating between the above as a replacement for our Touareg which has served us well for almost 3 years.

The XC90 is a compelling drive and is swaying me away from the X5M which was my first choice.

Any thoughts?

Robert

I've never driven either - but based on the way you see these cars driven they seem to appeal to a different demographic...

That's all I should say for fear of offending any modest, considerate X5M drivers I haven't come across yet

On the other hand, the Volvo is a very handsome car and has a more unassuming style.

As an ex Volvo owner with fond memories of them - check the service costs! Mine made BMW look cheap.

That said the Volvo had the most comfortable car seats I have ever sat in. Brilliant for long runs

I've moved back towards BMW as a brand after many years of Audi motoring (as well as an eclectic mixture of other vehicles as Aeroman knows). I purchased a new M5 in 2013 which I found a little bit underwhelming perhaps caused by being a little bit too conservative with the spec. Changed that to an M6 Gran Coupe late last year which is an altogether more appealing car. Albeit running on an almost identical chassis it is a much more tractable and enjoyable drive being just a fraction softer Style wise it also ranks as one of the prettiest cars I have owned.
Despite that I probably struggle a little bit with the blue and white propellor. Whilst the X5M is to my eyes a fine car there is just a little hesitation image wise. I've managed to have a test drive in the almost identical X6M and it drove brilliantly.

The unassuming nature of the XC90 is compelling and it's a great drive to boot which is surprising considering that the engine is a 2.0 litre four. I drove the diesel version last week and was very impressed having expected to be far from taken by the car. We've also go a Volvo V60 D6 AWD (the PHEV now called Twin Engine) which has been a revelation - 232 mpg and over 600nm of torque available although not necessarily at the same time! I share Howard's observations - the dealers do know how to charge! 5 years servicing cost £599 for M6 whilst the first year oil change for the Volvo was not that far from half of that. I agree that the seats are brilliant. That's tempered by negligible fuel costs - it reminds me of the old VW TDI advert of the 90's where the driver forgets how to refuel the car as the mileage is so good.

The Twin Engine XC90 which is the only one that I would consider produces 320bhp from petrol engine and 87bhp from electric motor with over 600nm torque. The overall package is slick. However the dealers are a bit of a worry. Not sure if they're up to the product.

The rest of the fleet at present includes an Abarth 595, Nissan Leaf and the Touareg.

Finally it's nice to be back on the forum after several years having drifted away after selling my Aero 8. Hello to all my old friends!

Robert

There's a very good review of the XC90 in today's Sunday Times.

First let me state that I find the XC90 T8 an appealing car, and I can imagine people choose it over i.e. a X5 40e PHEV, as a direct rival. But, the X5 has a totally different set-up. It's designed as a real AWD car, as the XC90 is a front wheel drive car where the rear wheels are supported by an electro motor. So it drives as a front wheel drive, and that set up delivers some problems with the management of the torque of the front engine.
A BMW X5M is a performance car, and needs and uses its four wheel drive capacities. So they are not really comparable.
I've owned a Volvo and 2 BMW's, found the BMW's the better cars, more reliable. Now over to Tesla.....!
Succes!

Jag have brought out a competitor?
Can't remember the name but saw something last weekend.

If it is a company car then the Volvo is better.
Do you really need the extra height.

A6 Allroad DiBiTurbo 320bhp ?
Or a FULL freaky RS6 ?

Damn the petrol.