Volvo XC60 T R-Design or Inscription trim level opinions?

[a311]

My local dealer has some attractive deals on a number of XC60 T6's. They have a number of stock cars in the the entry trim R-Design and Inscription in a variety of colors. I test drove a fully loaded Inscription but there was no R-design available to test.

So far as I can tell apart from the aesthetics the main differences are the suspension and in the interior the Inscription has fully adjustable electric memory seats in napa leather, while the R is part leather and no memory function. It's not a deal breaker either way, the memory function would be good as my wife and I are very different heights. On the outside I probably prefer the R-design, colour choice are limited to bursting blue in the R design and Flame Red in the inscription. We'll mostly be doing the school run but do a ~6 hour drive 4/5 time a year to visit family on 50:50 motorway A road split.

Anyone driven or owned both that could offer an opinion? There's not enough difference on price to sway me either way so it's down to personal opinion on the colour and what suits best.

[forest07]

I’ve the R Design but diesel, it’s a great car much better than the X3 we had before and we liked that.
Mines white pearlescent but bursting blue is now my favourite colour.
We are different sizes but don’t find the lack of memory seats an issue
.
TonyR

[a311]

forest07 said:

I’ve the R Design but diesel, it’s a great car much better than the X3 we had before and we liked that.
Mines white pearlescent but bursting blue is now my favourite colour.
We are different sizes but don’t find the lack of memory seats an issue
.
TonyR

Cheers. The R is manual for forward and back which has its pros i.e. it's quicker than the electric motors. How is the ride on the motorway in the R? Forgot the profile of the tyres is also different too.

[Jamescrs]

I don't know if Volvo have improved the quality of the leather used in their interiors on the R-Design trim but I previously had a V60 R design which was 5-6 years old and the drivers bolster split badly, I thought maybe it was me abusing it but every other one I looked at had the same damage on the drivers seat bolster, turned out it was a common issue, the leather was very poor quality, I believe more plastic than leather in reality.

[a311]

Jamescrs said:

I don't know if Volvo have improved the quality of the leather used in their interiors on the R-Design trim but I previously had a V60 R design which was 5-6 years old and the drivers bolster split badly, I thought maybe it was me abusing it but every other one I looked at had the same damage on the drivers seat bolster, turned out it was a common issue, the leather was very poor quality, I believe more plastic than leather in reality.

I had a V90 with the same leather as in the current R's, and while it didn't have any issues with wear or splitting it was defiantly on the plastic side vs genuine leather.

[Volvolover]

R design drives worse than the Inscription, they suffer badly from the lower profile tyres

[GreatGranny]

Volvolover said:

R design drives worse than the Inscription, they suffer badly from the lower profile tyres

Just about to post same comment.

My XC90 Sport (similar spec to R Design) with larger wheels rode miles worse than the SE it replaced.

[a311]

GreatGranny said:

Volvolover said:

R design drives worse than the Inscription, they suffer badly from the lower profile tyres

Just about to post same comment.

My XC90 Sport (similar spec to R Design) with larger wheels rode miles worse than the SE it replaced.

Definite point for consideration, reading owners forums its hard to tell. I guess as with anything else you're often backing up your own decision.....

Surprised the list is so similar, ~£800 but on the Inscription you're getting more for your £.

[a311]

Going to sleep on it and let the dealer know which one by the end of the week.

Any additional comments welcome in the meantime.

[RammyMP]

The wife has a XC40 R Design and I find the ride ok. The infotainment system takes a bit getting used to, the lack of temperature buttons / knob is irritating.

[wiliferus]

For what’s it’s worth, I love that blue and in the flesh it looks great.. *but* from your pictures above I think the red really suits it! From memory I don’t think I’ve seen a flame red Volvo on the road, and to me that would really appeal. Very personal choice though obviously.
I’d also lean towards the Inscription. For me, part of the Volvo experience is a nice plush ride, and the R-Design with huge wheels and low profile tyres would detract from that.

[a311]

wiliferus said:

For what’s it’s worth, I love that blue and in the flesh it looks great.. *but* from your pictures above I think the red really suits it! From memory I don’t think I’ve seen a flame red Volvo on the road, and to me that would really appeal. Very personal choice though obviously.
I’d also lean towards the Inscription. For me, part of the Volvo experience is a nice plush ride, and the R-Design with huge wheels and low profile tyres would detract from that.

All things being equal I'm more of fan of black or the darker shades of greys and silvers they have. Had a osmium grey V90. The red has grown on me. Looking at the specs the wheels are both 19" and the same profiles but dont think that's right as the R has a noticeable lower profile.