Volvo XC60: new, used, or..?

[ollyh1988]

We are looking to buy a mid-sized SUV and think the XC60 is one of the best options.
Had originally intended to buy one of the older shape cars for about £18k, but a look on carwow shows big discounts on the new model and very low rates of finance. A B5P (petrol version) would come in at £6k deposit and £329 per month. The new version is a nicer car, particularly the interior and has more room in the back, and it would be nice to have the car new if we plan to keep this a long time.
We are trying to decide between old and new, so just wanted to see if the new car deal seemed sensible.
Or, are there any better options any one can think of?
I didn’t want to go for anything older than 3 years and more than 35k miles (I’ve just sold a high mileage BMW that was costing a lot to keep going so would be nice this time to have something newer and more reliable).

[mikeiow]

ollyh1988 said:

We are looking to buy a mid-sized SUV and think the XC60 is one of the best options.
Had originally intended to buy one of the older shape cars for about £18k, but a look on carwow shows big discounts on the new model and very low rates of finance. A B5P (petrol version) would come in at £6k deposit and £329 per month. The new version is a nicer car, particularly the interior and has more room in the back, and it would be nice to have the car new if we plan to keep this a long time.
We are trying to decide between old and new, so just wanted to see if the new car deal seemed sensible.
Or, are there any better options any one can think of?
I didn’t want to go for anything older than 3 years and more than 35k miles (I’ve just sold a high mileage BMW that was costing a lot to keep going so would be nice this time to have something newer and more reliable).

Can’t speak to the new one...I bought a D4 auto from new, all the toys, over 6 years ago...generally keep motors about 3 years but have held on!
Now at 80k miles: it is super comfy. The active headlights are awesome, adaptive cruise very smooth. Highly recommended, but some (few) owners have had some EGR issues with the D4 VED - mine has been perfect!

We got a Kona EV 18 months ago to replace our other car, and that gets more use now, so might hang on to the XC for a few more years: great for lugging gear about, tip runs and also longer runs (eg to Les Arcs....now missing a second year ).

BUT.
Given your statement, that deal sounds okay. Newer would make more sense to me today.
Do you own it at the end, or does that need factoring in? My preference has always been to own my cars, but I do see that as being a bit “old school” nowadays.

A decent Volvos forum at https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/ - you might find more who have moved from old-to-new to give you thoughts there

The Volvo seats remain amongst the most comfortable ones on the planet....I doubt you would regret either model!

[ollyh1988]

mikeiow said:

Can’t speak to the new one...I bought a D4 auto from new, all the toys, over 6 years ago...generally keep motors about 3 years but have held on!
Now at 80k miles: it is super comfy. The active headlights are awesome, adaptive cruise very smooth. Highly recommended, but some (few) owners have had some EGR issues with the D4 VED - mine has been perfect!

We got a Kona EV 18 months ago to replace our other car, and that gets more use now, so might hang on to the XC for a few more years: great for lugging gear about, tip runs and also longer runs (eg to Les Arcs....now missing a second year ).

BUT.
Given your statement, that deal sounds okay. Newer would make more sense to me today.
Do you own it at the end, or does that need factoring in? My preference has always been to own my cars, but I do see that as being a bit “old school” nowadays.

A decent Volvos forum at https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/ - you might find more who have moved from old-to-new to give you thoughts there

The Volvo seats remain amongst the most comfortable ones on the planet....I doubt you would regret either model!

Thanks for that - had been looking for the D4 if used as has the 8 speed gearbox, if I’m right?

Yes I would plan to own at the end - it is a 14k balloon, so would look to pay that and then keep the car. I can’t think what we would need to replace it with as don’t want anything bigger than this.

[mikeiow]

ollyh1988 said:

mikeiow said:

Can’t speak to the new one...I bought a D4 auto from new, all the toys, over 6 years ago...generally keep motors about 3 years but have held on!
Now at 80k miles: it is super comfy. The active headlights are awesome, adaptive cruise very smooth. Highly recommended, but some (few) owners have had some EGR issues with the D4 VED - mine has been perfect!

We got a Kona EV 18 months ago to replace our other car, and that gets more use now, so might hang on to the XC for a few more years: great for lugging gear about, tip runs and also longer runs (eg to Les Arcs....now missing a second year ).

BUT.
Given your statement, that deal sounds okay. Newer would make more sense to me today.
Do you own it at the end, or does that need factoring in? My preference has always been to own my cars, but I do see that as being a bit “old school” nowadays.

A decent Volvos forum at https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/ - you might find more who have moved from old-to-new to give you thoughts there

The Volvo seats remain amongst the most comfortable ones on the planet....I doubt you would regret either model!

Thanks for that - had been looking for the D4 if used as has the 8 speed gearbox, if I’m right?

Yes I would plan to own at the end - it is a 14k balloon, so would look to pay that and then keep the car. I can’t think what we would need to replace it with as don’t want anything bigger than this.

Yes, the 8-speed.
I bought blind - dealers had none to see, & I test drove an older 6-speed AWD....that was *very* agricultural, but I decided the new 8-spd would be a generation ahead, & I wasn’t disappointed!
Was also my first auto (owned - driven plenty in the US), so a bit of a gamble all round!

14k balloon....over what, 3 years? More than doubles that monthly payment, if you think about it like that....

[ollyh1988]

14k balloon after 4 years, which we would probably look to pay off. I can’t see it being worth anywhere near that price after 4 years, so it would be worth more to us to keep.

Trying to weigh up how much the new one would lose over 4 years vs buying a 3 year old one and running that for the same time, plus maybe paying for extra maintenance costs.

Other option is a 3 or 4 year old F Pace, but think this will be a lot more expensive to buy and run.

[ZX10R NIN]

There's a peach of a drivetrain on the XC60 that people often overlook & it this one:

Previous Gen, You'll be able to purchase a warranty from Volvo for this one

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012187...

2019 Model

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011266...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011065...

Diesel Hybrids on SUV's make a lot of sense & there are some other good options that are worth a look:

Hyundai Tucson Premium SE having a 5 year warranty helps with peace of mind.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011186...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010064...

X3h

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012036...
A diesel F Pace will cost no more to run than the Volvo so don't discount it or it's cousin the Velar.

Q7h

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008283...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011226...

Diesel Velar 240 SE

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012177...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012237...

V6d F Pace

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011025...

[Mammasaid]

If you're considering the XC60, don't rule out the V90CC, similar interior space just longer, but with better specs. E.g. V90 comes with Pilot Assist which is optional on the XC60.

If you don't do many miles a T5 is available with a 1/3 off from new.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202003048...

[ollyh1988]

ZX10R NIN said:

There's a peach of a drivetrain on the XC60 that people often overlook & it this one:

Previous Gen, You'll be able to purchase a warranty from Volvo for this one

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012187...

2019 Model

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011266...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011065...

Diesel Hybrids on SUV's make a lot of sense & there are some other good options that are worth a look:

Hyundai Tucson Premium SE having a 5 year warranty helps with peace of mind.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011186...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010064...

X3h

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012036...
A diesel F Pace will cost no more to run than the Volvo so don't discount it or it's cousin the Velar.

Q7h

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008283...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011226...

Diesel Velar 240 SE

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012177...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012237...

V6d F Pace

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011025...

Thanks for those options.

I really like the old shape XC60, just found the interior not as nice as the new one by quite a margin.

Going new means there are better deals and lower APR. For example, on the used F Pace, we would have to put a lot more down to get comparable monthly payments. Plus the car is already 3 years old (but a better car).

This is a definite budget creep after going in to buy a used XC60, so trying to work out the best solution to buying a long term family car.

We only do 8k a year so maybe diesel isn’t the best option, but the torque suits these type of cars. The Volvo is petrol and only does about 33mpg.

[ollyh1988]

Mammasaid said:

If you're considering the XC60, don't rule out the V90CC, similar interior space just longer, but with better specs. E.g. V90 comes with Pilot Assist which is optional on the XC60.

If you don't do many miles a T5 is available with a 1/3 off from new.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202003048...

I do prefer an estate but my wife had a broken hip which means she finds getting into a properly raised car much easier.

[ZX10R NIN]

Have you considered an A4 All Road the extra height may suit access for your wife.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011025...

[ollyh1988]

ZX10R NIN said:

Have you considered an A4 All Road the extra height may suit access for your wife.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011025...

Yes and the A6 Allroad - a friend has one and it’s a lovely car, but not as high as a proper SUV. The A4 is too small as we are replacing my old 3 series estate and just want something a bit bigger but not huge.

[yellowbentines]

Mammasaid said:

If you're considering the XC60, don't rule out the V90CC, similar interior space just longer, but with better specs. E.g. V90 comes with Pilot Assist which is optional on the XC60.

I've been keeping an eye on XC60 / V90 CC prices for a few months and noticed the same, a V90 CC Plus with winter pack is all the car I'd ever want/need.

Another big consideration (well, for me anyway), is that all V90CCs are 4WD, not all XC60s are - the number of XC60s I've seen that look a good deal until I find out they are only FWD....

[ollyh1988]

V90 is a great looking car, and if it was up to only me it’d be my choice, but just not high enough.
FWD doesn’t bother me, the one on the deal I mentioned was the petrol FWD.

Some really nice looking F Paces on autotrader are tempting, but most cars are miles away from us (in Cornwall) and not possible to go and view one and then buy.

[mikeiow]

FWIW, ours is FWD, & we have some Thule easy fit snow chains to go with a winter set of wheels/tyres....they’ve seen us up Les Arcs in a heavy blizzard.
Actually I’m pretty sure our winter tyres would have got us up, but for two stranded vehicles approaching a hairpin...with a bus coming down, we had to stop, so the chains had to go on.
Literally 15 minutes later, we were heading past the stranded ones, faffing with their normal chains, on our way up!!
But only after a cheeky snap before returning to the heated seats, steering wheel & lovely seats!)

[Mattt]

Lexus NX? Decent residuals, solid reliability.

[lornemalvo]

I drove a previous generation XC60 some years ago and didn't like it at all. I thought it was an awful drive. Does anyone know if the new model is better to drive?

[Deerfoot]

lornemalvo said:

I drove a previous generation XC60 some years ago and didn't like it at all. I thought it was an awful drive. Does anyone know if the new model is better to drive?

I briefly had a 59 plate D5 XC60, it was dreadful. Build quality was awful as were Volvo dealers. It was plagued by electrical issues and the windscreen leaked despite being original.

I replaced it with a V60 which was much better. A decent Indy looked after it and apart from a broken fuel pump that stranded me in a Salisbury car park it was faultless. People rave about the previous gen XC60, I thought it was st...

[ollyh1988]

Thanks for all the advice so far.

Waiting to hear back from the local Volvo dealer on the new car to confirm prices and availability.

Also going to go to Jaguar to test the 2.0d F Pace, as I’ve never driven one and want to see how the space in the back compares to the Volvo. Maths shows I can get a 1-3 year old example, instead of the Volvo. Lockdown might make things a bit difficult to find a good one and trade our other car in as well, so will have to see what we can do.

[WishYouWereaZonda]

I’ll chime in regarding the old XC60. Back in 2015 I was choosing between an XC60 or XC70 (which is now the V90CC), and I found the ride of the XC60 too bouncy, probably due to the short wheel base to height ratio - same problem on most small SUVs, so not unique to the Volvo.

Not sure if the new one is better, but something to keep in mind when testing.

[ollyh1988]

To conclude this - lockdown got in the way of looking for a car so it’s only now that we actually ended up getting one.

Didn’t end up with a Volvo but a 2017 Jaguar F Pace. Tried the Volvo and personally found the steering quite light and thought the leather of the momentum trim wasn’t as nice as other cars. The R Design was out as my wife found the side bolsters too high to climb over. Also, 9/10 used ones that came up were grey - my least favourite colour. Volvos colour choice is pretty lacking and made the car look dull.

This Jaguar had a great spec (opening panoramic roof, two tone interior, 22’ wheels) and was on at a really good price, so I’m happy with this choice.