Large SUV - XC90, Lexus RX, Kia Sorrento?
Discussion
Hi all,
We are considering a new (to us) large SUV and am after some help/ownership thoughts on the below plus any others we may have missed.
Budget is 40k (Can just about stretch to 50) and ideally no more than 2-3 years old. We want a really good sized boot, 35 +mpg, petrol or Hybrid (Plug in or mild) and comfort, gadgets etc.
We’ve ruled out the GLE, X5 and Q7 (Wife doesn’t like them) and are currently pondering the following;
Lexus RX – not sure what engine or trim/spec. Large wagon, reliable and long warranty of serviced by Lexus.
Volvo XC90 – I currently have an S60 inscription so this is an obvious upgrade. However, I’ve heard reliability horror stories on certain engines? Any truth in that?
Kia Sorrento – we quite like these looks wise but can’t find any without a black interior (would want lighter). Budget would likely squeeze us into brand new on this
Any other considerations? Whatever we get must have a decent amount of torque, be very comfy to drive and passenger in but also handle reasonably well for its size, have really good luggage space, good rear passenger space.
We are considering a new (to us) large SUV and am after some help/ownership thoughts on the below plus any others we may have missed.
Budget is 40k (Can just about stretch to 50) and ideally no more than 2-3 years old. We want a really good sized boot, 35 +mpg, petrol or Hybrid (Plug in or mild) and comfort, gadgets etc.
We’ve ruled out the GLE, X5 and Q7 (Wife doesn’t like them) and are currently pondering the following;
Lexus RX – not sure what engine or trim/spec. Large wagon, reliable and long warranty of serviced by Lexus.
Volvo XC90 – I currently have an S60 inscription so this is an obvious upgrade. However, I’ve heard reliability horror stories on certain engines? Any truth in that?
Kia Sorrento – we quite like these looks wise but can’t find any without a black interior (would want lighter). Budget would likely squeeze us into brand new on this
Any other considerations? Whatever we get must have a decent amount of torque, be very comfy to drive and passenger in but also handle reasonably well for its size, have really good luggage space, good rear passenger space.
Don't discount the Sorento, it's a very surprising thing. Make sure you get "4" spec, it's a really nice thing. Feels very premium indeed and extremely well thought out. Little things like USB chargers in the seats, clever cameras, remote control "creep" function, all great. I have no experience of the Lexus but I can't imagine it feeling any "more" than the Kia.
Isn't the RX quite a bit smaller than the XC90 - possibly closer to the XC60? I went for an RX after discounting the XC90 for being too massive to be practical in the UK.
Mine is a 2013 RX so this may not be very relevant but fwiw I really like it. I went for one with air suspension and it wafts along the motorway nicely, in quiet and comfort, and the sound system is superb. It's quick enough in hybrid form too. It's surprised a few passengers.
The downsides are that it's thirsty, doesn't handle great, to the point where it almost resents being pushed. It wants to waft, and encourages you to drive accordingly.
I've been looking at a newer one when I come to replace it and from reviews I think some of these characteristics carry over, so hopefully somebody can say more on that.
The other thing I've found about having a Lexus is that nobody really has an opinion on them. If somebody asks you what you drive and you say, "Lexus RX", people generally go, "oh." and that's the end of the conversation. I quite like that.
Mine is a 2013 RX so this may not be very relevant but fwiw I really like it. I went for one with air suspension and it wafts along the motorway nicely, in quiet and comfort, and the sound system is superb. It's quick enough in hybrid form too. It's surprised a few passengers.
The downsides are that it's thirsty, doesn't handle great, to the point where it almost resents being pushed. It wants to waft, and encourages you to drive accordingly.
I've been looking at a newer one when I come to replace it and from reviews I think some of these characteristics carry over, so hopefully somebody can say more on that.
The other thing I've found about having a Lexus is that nobody really has an opinion on them. If somebody asks you what you drive and you say, "Lexus RX", people generally go, "oh." and that's the end of the conversation. I quite like that.
Thanks all so far.
My wife is not a fan of the x5, just hates the looks so sadly that one is out.
We treat drove the mazda cx60 last year. I really liked it but she was a bit, meh! I'm her words not something she would want to buy but was ok.
Ideally I'd push the budget and have a cayenne but she has poo pooed that idea
Current top 2 are the xc90 and the big Kia (more a value for money proposition). What are the t8 engines like on the Volvo in terms of reliability?
My wife is not a fan of the x5, just hates the looks so sadly that one is out.
We treat drove the mazda cx60 last year. I really liked it but she was a bit, meh! I'm her words not something she would want to buy but was ok.
Ideally I'd push the budget and have a cayenne but she has poo pooed that idea
Current top 2 are the xc90 and the big Kia (more a value for money proposition). What are the t8 engines like on the Volvo in terms of reliability?
Can't comment on new
But i have an older Sorento (2014 plate, 2.2diesel CRDi)
Ticks all the boxes or me - large 7 seat family SUV, with chargers, heat settings etc - keeps the family happy on long road trips.
Works as a 4x4 for me - pulls horses / hay trailers etc in muddy fields
(Mine wears AT tyres)
Returns good MPG for it's class - combined figure over last 18000 miles 38 mpg (incudes a lot of field work, towing as well as motorway)
Comfy, turned 88000 yesterday and no thoughts of replacing as still works great - and comfy too.
But i have an older Sorento (2014 plate, 2.2diesel CRDi)
Ticks all the boxes or me - large 7 seat family SUV, with chargers, heat settings etc - keeps the family happy on long road trips.
Works as a 4x4 for me - pulls horses / hay trailers etc in muddy fields
(Mine wears AT tyres)
Returns good MPG for it's class - combined figure over last 18000 miles 38 mpg (incudes a lot of field work, towing as well as motorway)
Comfy, turned 88000 yesterday and no thoughts of replacing as still works great - and comfy too.
GV80, very good car & well worth a look. The interiors are top notch too:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503150...
GV70:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504131...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504071...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409244...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503150...
GV70:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504131...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504071...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409244...
Gville said:
I am in a similar boat and am finding it very hard to see past an XC90. Nice balance of safety, comfort and space but am equally concerned about the potential for large bills! Eagerly watching this thread!
Have to agree on both counts. I like the idea of the t8 but have read a few horror stories on reliability.The big Kia is also a serious contender
XC90 all day long. We've had our T8 since 2019 (from new) and still can't really think of anything we'd replace it with while full EVs still have the limitations that they have. I mean, I'd like an FFRR, but I can't see the actual value in the vast cost to change. I think in all that time the only issue we've had is with a telemetry board that died while the car was left on our drive for a year while we escaped Covid; they (like most modern cars) really don't like having a fully flat 12v battery. Other than that, it's been flawless. We just did 750-odd miles down to Italy in one hit - one fuel stop and 13 hours on the road and I got out feeling fine.
On the topic of the RX. We have the 450H.
Pros:
Very reliable + 10 year warranty.
Nice interior according to my wife.
Well specd
Decent handling for a lump of a thing and brisk enough for overtaking. It's just over 300bhp IIRC.
Mid 30s for 3.5l V6 is impressive.
Cons.
Boot isn't massive for such a big car - that said it'll get four of us on holiday to the airport so big enough.
CVT box. I don't mind it TBH as it's not a sports car, but the slipping clutch impression is hard to ignore.
My wife will likely replace with another at some point, which is a decent endorsement.
Pros:
Very reliable + 10 year warranty.
Nice interior according to my wife.
Well specd
Decent handling for a lump of a thing and brisk enough for overtaking. It's just over 300bhp IIRC.
Mid 30s for 3.5l V6 is impressive.
Cons.
Boot isn't massive for such a big car - that said it'll get four of us on holiday to the airport so big enough.
CVT box. I don't mind it TBH as it's not a sports car, but the slipping clutch impression is hard to ignore.
My wife will likely replace with another at some point, which is a decent endorsement.
I think Recharge is just the latest name for the XC90 T8, I seem to recall it changed circa the time that they upped the capacity of the battery making it much better. I've got an 2023 xc90 Recharge - lovely car and the battery range is about 37 miles on average which is more than enough for day to day use purely on battery. The engine moved from being supercharged / turbocharged to be being turbo only with about the same bhp. There are issues with early 2017 / 2018 T8's with the ERAD(?) - basically the battery / electric motor failing; this seems to be much better in later iterations.
Obviously as soon as the battery is depleted it canes petrol like a good 'un, but even so my overall average (which includes battery) is 52mpg which I think is pretty decent for a 2.5 ton brick.
Pros - looks good (not in your face like many big SUV), very safe (obvs), really practical and thoughtfully designed interior, unlikely to get nicked, decent range, good ride (as long as it has air suspension and not 22 inch wheels), sound system is great (B&W or HK).
Cons - handling is safe rather than inspiring - it is not a Porsche Cayenne or even an x5, can suffer with torque steer when booting it, engine isn't the last word in refinement, infotainment is somewhat last generation and there can be some glitches but over the air software updates seem good in addressing these.
It sounds like it might be an easy switch for you being an existing Volvo owner
Obviously as soon as the battery is depleted it canes petrol like a good 'un, but even so my overall average (which includes battery) is 52mpg which I think is pretty decent for a 2.5 ton brick.
Pros - looks good (not in your face like many big SUV), very safe (obvs), really practical and thoughtfully designed interior, unlikely to get nicked, decent range, good ride (as long as it has air suspension and not 22 inch wheels), sound system is great (B&W or HK).
Cons - handling is safe rather than inspiring - it is not a Porsche Cayenne or even an x5, can suffer with torque steer when booting it, engine isn't the last word in refinement, infotainment is somewhat last generation and there can be some glitches but over the air software updates seem good in addressing these.
It sounds like it might be an easy switch for you being an existing Volvo owner
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