XC90 T6 or B6 (circa 2018/19)
Discussion
I've decided on a XC90 (circa 2019 model). Just what I am looking for. I'm having difficulty deciding on the engine. Hoping PH may help me decide?!
T6 - supercharged/turbo charged petrol (+ polestar)
B5 - diesel hybrid (I'd probably get polestar added)
I've only owned petrol cars, - my journeys are mixed; probably 6 short journeys a (1 - 2 miles) + 2 longer journeys ( 50 - 80 miles) - per week.
Will I miss that overtaking speed that a petrol has when the revs build, - ie, will a diesel running out of puff at 5k be that annoying?
Am I right that the diesel clatter is only really noticable on cold starts? And not that audiable from inside the cabin? how about in traffic jams at slow speeds with the window down.
Obviously it's a cruiser, - but I dont want to feel frustrated because of tardiness!?
T6 - supercharged/turbo charged petrol (+ polestar)
B5 - diesel hybrid (I'd probably get polestar added)
I've only owned petrol cars, - my journeys are mixed; probably 6 short journeys a (1 - 2 miles) + 2 longer journeys ( 50 - 80 miles) - per week.
Will I miss that overtaking speed that a petrol has when the revs build, - ie, will a diesel running out of puff at 5k be that annoying?
Am I right that the diesel clatter is only really noticable on cold starts? And not that audiable from inside the cabin? how about in traffic jams at slow speeds with the window down.
Obviously it's a cruiser, - but I dont want to feel frustrated because of tardiness!?
I wouldn't have said there was any justification for picking a diesel at such low weekly mileage. Indeed, it'd probably harm the engine unless the diesel-hybrid gear resulted in the car always using electric propulsion. If that was the case, one has to question what the point is.
Would a smaller, petrol car not work better for such use?
Would a smaller, petrol car not work better for such use?
Edited by Glitzy Mitzy on Wednesday 4th March 14:32
We have a D4 V70, VEA engine which I think is the basic architecture of the diesel in that age of XC90.
Honestly, it's a bloody awful engine, IMO. Clattery and sounds like a tractor, totally unsuitable for a Volvo (5 cylinders would have been perfect, 2nd Gen XC90 is only available with a 4-pot)
We've been considering an XC90 next, but the engines are really putting me off Volvo at the moment. We've had them in the family constantly since 1993, however I think sadly our next vehicles may not be Volvos.
If you're doing short journeys, I'd suggest buying a cheap petrol estate and fold the seats down. An XC90 is a total barge, unless you need the space in which case buy a van.
Honestly, it's a bloody awful engine, IMO. Clattery and sounds like a tractor, totally unsuitable for a Volvo (5 cylinders would have been perfect, 2nd Gen XC90 is only available with a 4-pot)
We've been considering an XC90 next, but the engines are really putting me off Volvo at the moment. We've had them in the family constantly since 1993, however I think sadly our next vehicles may not be Volvos.
If you're doing short journeys, I'd suggest buying a cheap petrol estate and fold the seats down. An XC90 is a total barge, unless you need the space in which case buy a van.
Just to add: can't think the compound-charged whizzo engine in the petrol Volvo would like such treatment, either. If it regularly isn't put through a proper warming cycle, bits like the bearings in the supercharger and turbocharger are going to get gummed up with thick oil.
Do turbochargers still have variable vanes? Remember there being a problem with variable vanes getting stuck in the engines of cars which weren't frequently put through their paces.
The above assumes that either the turbo or supercharger get used during the mile long journey! If the car is cold, neither should.
Do turbochargers still have variable vanes? Remember there being a problem with variable vanes getting stuck in the engines of cars which weren't frequently put through their paces.
The above assumes that either the turbo or supercharger get used during the mile long journey! If the car is cold, neither should.
I have an XC90 B5 mild hybrid diesel and its more than adequate performance / economy wise. I think as intimated above your very low mileage may not be ideal for longevity.
Not sure I agree with the poster that describes the engine as 'awful'. I was sceptical about a 4 pot in such a large vehicle but I've been pleasantly surprised with it's ability to do the job. Having had the same motor in a V60 D4 neither have been particularly diesel'y and clattery maybe the one referenced above was a bit broken
Take a test drive in both and decide what suits your needs best.
Not sure I agree with the poster that describes the engine as 'awful'. I was sceptical about a 4 pot in such a large vehicle but I've been pleasantly surprised with it's ability to do the job. Having had the same motor in a V60 D4 neither have been particularly diesel'y and clattery maybe the one referenced above was a bit broken
Take a test drive in both and decide what suits your needs best.
Thanks everyone.
i have tested driven a B5 but only at low speeds as the dealer is no-where near a motorway. Is there any hesitation/thinking time between burying the pedal for an overtake? I have heard there is in the D5?
I dont think short journeys will be good for either the T6 or the B5... not sure there's much pro/con either way, but I will save money on the longer trips, and the B5 i have my eye on is better specce'd than the T6, so i am leaning towards my first diesel
i have tested driven a B5 but only at low speeds as the dealer is no-where near a motorway. Is there any hesitation/thinking time between burying the pedal for an overtake? I have heard there is in the D5?
I dont think short journeys will be good for either the T6 or the B5... not sure there's much pro/con either way, but I will save money on the longer trips, and the B5 i have my eye on is better specce'd than the T6, so i am leaning towards my first diesel
Username888 said:
Thanks everyone.
i have tested driven a B5 but only at low speeds as the dealer is no-where near a motorway. Is there any hesitation/thinking time between burying the pedal for an overtake? I have heard there is in the D5?
I dont think short journeys will be good for either the T6 or the B5... not sure there's much pro/con either way, but I will save money on the longer trips, and the B5 i have my eye on is better specce'd than the T6, so i am leaning towards my first diesel
What sort of warranty are you getting? I would want a good one especially for the first while as it’s a complicated car not designed for your usage. i have tested driven a B5 but only at low speeds as the dealer is no-where near a motorway. Is there any hesitation/thinking time between burying the pedal for an overtake? I have heard there is in the D5?
I dont think short journeys will be good for either the T6 or the B5... not sure there's much pro/con either way, but I will save money on the longer trips, and the B5 i have my eye on is better specce'd than the T6, so i am leaning towards my first diesel
I mulled over hybrids (plug in) for a brief period, and had one as a hire car for a few weeks.
My research was that short journeys were perfectly fine under pure electric. Ideal for my dog walking where a trip of 1-3 miles avoids me trudging along pavements and doesn't waste my walking time getting somewhere more interesting.
I was concerned about the mechanical sympathy on an ice engine going from cold to full load - something i have always avoided doing in my 30 odd years of driving.
But the Internet tells me it's fine because
- modern oils
- modern ignition timing and computer stuff
- people used to do it anyway and the sun still comes up each morning
The twinncharge engine is probably more complicated than a typical car engine, but hopefully there's swings and roundabouts with it not being used for short journeys.
I would have stuck with petrol over diesel as I have had a bad experience with modern diesel engines having a succession of gremlins that ultimately made the car uneconomical to repair.
So the only sticking point now is price : t6 and t8 volvos are pretty pricey.
In the end my aunt was selling her low mileage v50 so I am now basking in an average mpg of 21 from the 2.0 petrol engine. But with my small annual mileage, fuel savings would never ever have offset the huge purchase price.
The geely volvos do look nice places to be though.
My research was that short journeys were perfectly fine under pure electric. Ideal for my dog walking where a trip of 1-3 miles avoids me trudging along pavements and doesn't waste my walking time getting somewhere more interesting.
I was concerned about the mechanical sympathy on an ice engine going from cold to full load - something i have always avoided doing in my 30 odd years of driving.
But the Internet tells me it's fine because
- modern oils
- modern ignition timing and computer stuff
- people used to do it anyway and the sun still comes up each morning
The twinncharge engine is probably more complicated than a typical car engine, but hopefully there's swings and roundabouts with it not being used for short journeys.
I would have stuck with petrol over diesel as I have had a bad experience with modern diesel engines having a succession of gremlins that ultimately made the car uneconomical to repair.
So the only sticking point now is price : t6 and t8 volvos are pretty pricey.
In the end my aunt was selling her low mileage v50 so I am now basking in an average mpg of 21 from the 2.0 petrol engine. But with my small annual mileage, fuel savings would never ever have offset the huge purchase price.
The geely volvos do look nice places to be though.
Username888 said:
Thanks everyone.
i have tested driven a B5 but only at low speeds as the dealer is no-where near a motorway. Is there any hesitation/thinking time between burying the pedal for an overtake? I have heard there is in the D5?
I dont think short journeys will be good for either the T6 or the B5... not sure there's much pro/con either way, but I will save money on the longer trips, and the B5 i have my eye on is better specce'd than the T6, so i am leaning towards my first diesel
Regarding the hesitation this is where the electric motor assists greatly in my limited experience comparing to the D4 motor in my previous V60. In Volvo parlance it's refereed to as an an Integrated Starter Generator (ISG). I'm no fan of start/stop either but it's almost indiscernible with the mild hybrid system so I leave that switched on also.i have tested driven a B5 but only at low speeds as the dealer is no-where near a motorway. Is there any hesitation/thinking time between burying the pedal for an overtake? I have heard there is in the D5?
I dont think short journeys will be good for either the T6 or the B5... not sure there's much pro/con either way, but I will save money on the longer trips, and the B5 i have my eye on is better specce'd than the T6, so i am leaning towards my first diesel
In terms of spec they all come pretty well loaded only must haves for me were heated steering wheel, upgraded HK sound system and the 360 cameras. I think the model year you are looking at will already come with Carplay / AA. Edited to add: you might be at the changeover point for carplay etc so worth checking.
Edited by BlackStang5point0 on Thursday 5th March 07:27
Thanks for the feedback on the B5, - very interesting to read.
Going to get a quote for warranty, but I'm not fussed. Will get car inspected before purchase and then probably self insure.
Been asking AI about diesel short drive issues. It gave a lot of detail, but in summary:
For a 2019 XC90 B5 mild-hybrid diesel with ~6 × 1-mile short journeys/week (consistent but minimal mileage impact) + 8–9k annual miles mostly from longer trips (including motorway runs):DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter): Low risk. The later VEA diesel's regen system is robust and more forgiving than older models—passive regen occurs in mixed driving, active regen can complete during your longer motorway runs (ideal for heat/flow). Many XC90 B5/VEA diesel owners with similar mixed/short-trip patterns report no DPF issues over years/ tens of thousands of miles, even with mostly short journeys supplemented by occasional longer ones. Your dominant longer trips should easily prevent buildup or forced warnings.
Oil dilution (fuel in oil from incomplete combustion/short cold starts): Low-moderate risk, but mitigated by your pattern. Short 1-mile runs contribute some dilution (rising oil level, diesel smell, thinned oil → potential wear if unchecked), but they represent <4% of your total miles—the longer/hot runs burn it off. Some 2019–2021 B5 owners note minor oil level rise (e.g., 2–3 bars over a year) as "normal," with rare serious cases tied to heavier short-trip use or interrupted regens. Far fewer complaints than pre-2018 VEA diesels.
Overall advice: The B5 suits your use well—torque/economy advantages shine with loaded equipment + motorway efficiency, and diesel concerns are overstated for this balanced pattern. Proactive steps minimize any issues:Monitor oil level monthly (via dipstick/computer) for rises/smells.
Stick to (or shorten) services: oil change annually or every 10k miles (use Volvo-spec).
Use premium diesel + occasional additive for cleanliness.
Pre-purchase: Get inspection scanning codes, checking oil condition, EGR/turbo health.
If diesel niggles persist, the T5 petrol avoids these entirely (no DPF/AdBlue/dilution risks), but you'd pay more in fuel. The black B5 remains the economical, capable choice here.
Going to get a quote for warranty, but I'm not fussed. Will get car inspected before purchase and then probably self insure.
Been asking AI about diesel short drive issues. It gave a lot of detail, but in summary:
For a 2019 XC90 B5 mild-hybrid diesel with ~6 × 1-mile short journeys/week (consistent but minimal mileage impact) + 8–9k annual miles mostly from longer trips (including motorway runs):DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter): Low risk. The later VEA diesel's regen system is robust and more forgiving than older models—passive regen occurs in mixed driving, active regen can complete during your longer motorway runs (ideal for heat/flow). Many XC90 B5/VEA diesel owners with similar mixed/short-trip patterns report no DPF issues over years/ tens of thousands of miles, even with mostly short journeys supplemented by occasional longer ones. Your dominant longer trips should easily prevent buildup or forced warnings.
Oil dilution (fuel in oil from incomplete combustion/short cold starts): Low-moderate risk, but mitigated by your pattern. Short 1-mile runs contribute some dilution (rising oil level, diesel smell, thinned oil → potential wear if unchecked), but they represent <4% of your total miles—the longer/hot runs burn it off. Some 2019–2021 B5 owners note minor oil level rise (e.g., 2–3 bars over a year) as "normal," with rare serious cases tied to heavier short-trip use or interrupted regens. Far fewer complaints than pre-2018 VEA diesels.
Overall advice: The B5 suits your use well—torque/economy advantages shine with loaded equipment + motorway efficiency, and diesel concerns are overstated for this balanced pattern. Proactive steps minimize any issues:Monitor oil level monthly (via dipstick/computer) for rises/smells.
Stick to (or shorten) services: oil change annually or every 10k miles (use Volvo-spec).
Use premium diesel + occasional additive for cleanliness.
Pre-purchase: Get inspection scanning codes, checking oil condition, EGR/turbo health.
If diesel niggles persist, the T5 petrol avoids these entirely (no DPF/AdBlue/dilution risks), but you'd pay more in fuel. The black B5 remains the economical, capable choice here.
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