Talk me out of an XC90 PHEV/family bus

[amstrange1]

We're outgrowing the family Tiguan; and looking for something bigger to cart kids + friends around, or kids + grandparents. MPVs don't seem to exist anymore, especially ones with a bit of poke - so it's probably time for a full-size SUV.

I'm struggling to see past an XC90 PHEV, but what am I missing?

• £65k ish
• Under 3 years old
• Sub-45k miles
• 6/7 seater - with 3rd row usable for teens (Tiguan Allspace, Kodiaq etc. all seem too small)
• Big boot when 3rd row not in use
• Reasonably quick (6s to 60mph kind of thing)
• Ideally not diesel (does some short trips, so diesel PHEV could work)
• 30mpg+ would be nice, could put up with less if it was awesome
• AWD or 4WD preferred

Bonus points if it doesn't look minging, won't get nicked or break all the time.

[kiethton]

X5, or X7 if you can find one in budget.

All but the plug-in hybrid X5 have 7 seats, they can come in mild hybrid form too. Even the basic 3.0d is meant to be ok, our X5 45e (only 5 seats) has near 400bhp and goes well enough for a family bus.

Ours is also 2.5yrs old and hasn't put a foot wrong, even the tyres still have plenty of life left at 20k miles. Just be wary of the COVID spec weirdness, we're still annoyed we couldn't get the upgraded stereo as the standard one is a bit kak.

[wyson]

Won’t do the 0-60 in under 6 seconds, but I’d look at the Lexus RX-L or Toyota Highlander. Both are 5m longish cars so similar to the XC90.

Edited by wyson on Monday 21st October 22:24

[joshcowin]

SQ7 is the answer

For £65k you will get a low milage 20plate car.

Mate has one they are a great bit of kit

[a311]

I really liked both of my Volvos I had the T5 XC90 and then the smaller XC60 T8 PHEV. If you're going to do a lot of short journeys and can charge at home PHEVs make sense in a big heavy car. The Volvos are big comfy cars and will do everything you need.

However the thing that puts me off is the length of time the XC90 has been around it's been refreshed a few times bit the infotainment and tech in general is getting on now. I've recently changed to a VW and the difference is a bit like moving from analogue to digital, my Volvo was middle of the range and in hindsight really lacked a lot of things that should of been standard on a 60k+ new car, bogo cruise etc.

X7 or Audi Q7 PHEV are the obvious alternatives, left filed Tesla model X.

[wyson]

If you don’t mind full electric, VW ID Buzz GTX in 6 or 7 seat configuration. Pretty much ticks all your boxes.

VW Multivan, VW Campervan, Ford Tourneo would all work but won’t have the performance you want. They will knock the socks off any SUV for space though, especially with 7 people sat inside. Residuals on VW Campervans are rock solid, so that might be a factor if you want to own outright.

One of the dads on the school run has a JDM imported Toyota Alphard. It is HUGE inside. Again won’t have the performance you want, plus possible insurance and servicing issues. Personally, think its really cool, but I can understand many wouldn’t like it.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410185...

Edited by wyson on Tuesday 22 October 10:07

[P0PC0RN]

Volvos have some reliability issues which is a shame as they tick alot of boxes.

If I was dropping that kind of cash on a big 4x4 it would need more that 4 cylinders....

They are ugly but what about a BMW X7?

[964Cup]

We've had a T8 XC90 since 2019. I think they're excellent - great interior, decent performance, good cruise control, useful electric range for short trips. Downsides are poor economy at autoroute speeds once the battery is flat - say 26-28mpg cruising at 137kph (the max for the self-steering mode); unattractive engine noise when pushed. I will add that we have run ours on 19s and M&S tyres since new, so I don't know how the ride quality is on the default oversize road rollers. We have the inception pro, not the r performance (or whatever it's called) so no manual control of the gearbox; for our use case that really doesn't matter. I suspect if you want a driver's car, get a BMW, but as a family limo-alike with massive space the XC90 is a good fit.

[ZX10R NIN]

GLE 450dh Premium, great drivetrain:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409023...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409144...

GLS 400d:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410115...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410105...

40d mhev X7:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402076...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409204...

40d X5:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310042...

40i MHT X5:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406281...

X7:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409113...

Lexus RXL:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407252...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408243...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408062...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410024...

Petrol only but the Genesis GV70:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408152...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409274...

[a311]

P0PC0RN said:

Volvos have some reliability issues which is a shame as they tick alot of boxes.

If I was dropping that kind of cash on a big 4x4 it would need more that 4 cylinders....

They are ugly but what about a BMW X7?

This gets touted a lot on PH forums it seems but in a decade of having 3 newer gen Volvo's I've had zero issues and only costs were on consumables.

I will agree on the engine, the T8 I had 400bhp although I believe on the new models they've dropped the supercharger but upped the power so assume a bigger turbo. It's big heavy car and plenty of power for overtaking etc but never felt that it had 400bhp. Possibly the standard setting up/tuning, I never felt the need but there a Polestar tuning upgrade available which maybe gets more out of the power.

[MondeoMan1981]

OP I'm having exactly the same dilemma as you. Two kids in big car seats and need to carry passengers and luggage as well.

I've been looking at everything recommended in here and from salary sacrifice schemes to funding by cash, personal loan all sorts.

I do have less to play with cos I'm a tight Scotsman. £35k/£350pm

Another alternative I'm considering is an older MPV or SUV (2017ish) and keeping money back for a garage toy (say a 2006 Boxster etc)

[Martyn76]

I may have missed it but are you against an full EV?

The new Kia EV9 seems to be a pretty good option with the space you're after.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410074...

[amstrange1]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

X5 and Q7 are also on the list - need to read-up more on the Mercs too. Lexus/Toyota are a good shout too, at least they'd be reliable if not a little dull and worthy.

We've already got an EV in the household, but had thought about the EV9. The reality is we're not quite yet ready to switch the main family car to electric too - a PHEV probably makes the most sense.

[Rockets7]

amstrange1 said:

Thanks for all the suggestions.

X5 and Q7 are also on the list - need to read-up more on the Mercs too. Lexus/Toyota are a good shout too, at least they'd be reliable if not a little dull and worthy.

We've already got an EV in the household, but had thought about the EV9. The reality is we're not quite yet ready to switch the main family car to electric too - a PHEV probably makes the most sense.

If you’re going Q7 and it’s got a pan roof look carefully for water ingress. 2018-2021 were horrible for it requiring a full strip and roof out.

[Rob 131 Sport]

amstrange1 said:

Thanks for all the suggestions.

X5 and Q7 are also on the list - need to read-up more on the Mercs too. Lexus/Toyota are a good shout too, at least they'd be reliable if not a little dull and worthy.

We've already got an EV in the household, but had thought about the EV9. The reality is we're not quite yet ready to switch the main family car to electric too - a PHEV probably makes the most sense.

You can’t really go wrong with an Audi or BMW at this price point. Do Land Rover do a Defender variant that would suit your requirements.

[Matt_T]

I'm looking at new family wagons and keep coming back to Mitsubishi Shogun Sports - great value for money as I guess no one particularly desires one...
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/17277334

The motoring press gives them a poor review - however my 2009 Accord tourer got terrible reviews and it has been faultless over 12 years and 160,000 miles - so I take reviews with a very large pinch of salt...