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Volvo XC60 Questions and Comments

39 messages,  Last post on May 22, 2013 at 12:05 PM

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What is this discussion about? Volvo XC60, SUV

    

Messages Page 2 of 5

#5 of 39 Re: How do you like your Volvo XC60? by juxta

Jul 23, 2011 (10:53 am)

Replying to: rkurlander (Jul 23, 2011 5:59 am)
(oops, this should be a reply to the original post, not rkurlander's post)
 
I like mine - a fully loaded 2011 T6 - but I'm biased of course. My wife got a 2011 Audi Q5 right before I got mine so I can compare those - but really any decision is going to come down to price and the test drive.
 
Compared to the Q5, I got more options with a slightly less overall refinement. I believe this still holds true for the 2012 models.
 
A comparably equipped Q5 (with BLIS, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and push button start) was about $9 more. While the XC60 has more HP and torque, the Q5 has a quieter ride (engine and road noise are perhaps 30% less, wind noise above 60 MPH seems to be half as much).
 
The Q5 has a standard subwoofer (unavailable for the North American XC60 *grumble*), the Q5 automatic tailgate opens/closes twice as fast with much less noise (1/3 as loud as the XC60), the Q5 doors close with a heavier more sturdy feel and seal, and the Q5 moon roof is about 12" longer.
 
The XC60 tail lights are awesome and distinctive, while the Q5 has well-done and distinctive LED front running lights. Also the XC60 has an edge over the Q5 with the factory warranty and included maintenance.
 
But even if I wanted to pay more for the Q5, I don't like the body style as much as the XC60. Also, the controls for the entertainment/nav system are a bit more difficult to operate on the Q5.
 
I work from home so I don't drive much. I wanted a stronger engine for more acceleration and I like the low end torque, which gives better acceleration from a start than the Q5. I've had mine for 5 months now and it's got 1401 on the odometer, so I don't care about gas mileage and gas prices.
 
My issues with the XC60 are slight and mainly deal with refinement. For a luxury vehicle I expected more, and if things could be changed I would want, in order: 1) a quieter and faster automatic tailgate, 2) less wind noise at 60+ MPH, 3) less road noise when going over bumps in the road, 4) a subwoofer (standard or optional), and 5) fewer plastic parts, especially those at the bottom of the doors - the R-design paint-at-the-bottom look should be on all vehicles with maybe an option to have the current plastic at the bottom of the doors as scuff protection.

#6 of 39 Great responses by mscar54

Jul 23, 2011 (4:32 pm)

I appreciate these replies very much. I test drove the 2011 XC60 turbo this afternoon, as well as an Infiniti FX 35, and like the ride and pickup of the Volvo much more. The Infiniti was equipped with many more bells and whistles, which of course, made it several thousand dollars more expensive.
 
I haven't investigated this further, but noticed that this Volvo's sunroof interior slide cover was made out a mesh-like material. Is this true on all the models? Does anyone know if this allows unwanted sun rays in on the driver?
 
This model, too, had just the basic stereo system in it, but I took along a CD and had a listen. I felt that it was plenty o.k. for my uses. The comment about wind noise above 60 mph gives me pause, and truly, I did not drive it very long at high speed. I really do like a quiet ride and will have to take do another interstate test drive at high speeds to check it out.
 
The Volvo salesman gave me the speil about the XC60's being their hottest car, and indeed, the one I drove was one of only two on the lot. While I know the 2012's are just around the corner, has anyone felt that they were unable to negotiate a good price on their XC60 due to its high demand?

#7 of 39 Re: Great responses [mscar54] by rkurlander

Jul 24, 2011 (5:39 am)

Replying to: mscar54 (Jul 23, 2011 4:32 pm)
The sunroof mesh is an excellent feature which you don't have to use. It absorbs much of the heat and diffuses the light.
 
No issue here with wind noise above 60 mph.
 
Premium sound system is noticably better. Forgot to mention in previous post that my XC60 has AWD which works great. Save $ by not buying turbo.
 
The deal is certainly negotiable, especially if ordered vs. inventory. That would require 2012 at this point. I believe my deal was right around invoice per Edmunds.

#8 of 39 I pulled the trigger.... by mscar54

Jul 30, 2011 (7:33 am)

Replying to: rkurlander (Jul 24, 2011 5:39 am)
I bought one locally. I'm very excited! I'll tell more in the "prices paid" thread. Thanks for the replies.

#10 of 39 Re: Great responses [mscar54] by juxta

Aug 09, 2011 (10:33 pm)

Replying to: mscar54 (Jul 23, 2011 4:32 pm)
"The comment about wind noise above 60 mph gives me pause, and truly, I did not drive it very long at high speed. I really do like a quiet ride and will have to take do another interstate test drive at high speeds to check it out. "
 
This wind noise is compared to an Audi Q5 though! It is much more quiet than a typical car. Personally I think it could be improved to be at the level of an Audi. (Of course, all around I'd take my XC60 over the Q5 any day. I'm happy with my decision).
 
Glad you got one. I would have loved to get mine off the lot. Enjoy!

#11 of 39 Re: How do you like your Volvo XC60? [mscar54] by idmd

Sep 24, 2011 (3:11 am)

Replying to: mscar54 (Jul 22, 2011 9:06 am)
Just bought a 2011 XC60 R-Design but haven't had much time in it. I'm coming from an Acura TL SH-AWD. The TL is super solid, drives like a dream, really sporty yet I never formed any real attachment to it. Too much science....not enough passion? I chose the XC60 because I wanted the utility of a crossover (not hauling sheets of plywood but like the increased room) and went with the R-Design for the looks and the slightly sportier feel and handling.
 
I have lots of family members with Volvos and while not the least reliable vehicles ever after 70K they all pretty much have spent some time at the shop. I think things are getting better with reliability but I'm anticipating more issues over the course of ownership compared to my Acura. That said the 5yrs/60K maintenance program and the fact I drive less than 10K per year means this thing will be under warrantee and the maintenance program the entire length of the loan. This means I'm not all that worried about my anticipated decrease in reliability. But who knows I could be pleasantly surprised.
 
Only time will tell. So far I like the car. This early into ownership all I can say is:
 
Pros: Great looks, sporty styling, nice handling for a crossover if you like a stiffer/sportier feel.
 
Cons: Going into this glass half empty with respect to reliability.
 
I'll update this thread as I get some more miles under my belt.

#12 of 39 Re: How do you like your Volvo XC60? [idmd] by mscar54

Sep 24, 2011 (6:48 am)

Replying to: idmd (Sep 24, 2011 3:11 am)
I've been tardy in responding to this thread (which I started.) I, too, bought a 2011 XC60, turbo edition, and have been thinking about what I should post regarding the vehicle. I'm coming from an Infiniti EX35, which I did like, but in the end, was just too small. I really like the size of the XC and the ride is very smooth, although I have noticed some wind noise as mentioned earlier in this thread by another responder. It's not troublesome, however, and because there are features on this crossover that I did not have on the EX, I'm generally pretty satisfied (like the electronic closing hatch.) My biggest issue has been with the Blooth tooth phone system....for some reason, it drops the microphone capability with my cell phone. I hear the phone ring through the sound system, but the caller cannot hear me, nor me hear the caller, unless I'm on the hand set. I've taken it in to the dealer's service department, but the service people are just as bewildered as I am! I have upgraded the phone's software via Motorola's web page, and the service people say that the car has the latest software version installed. It bothers me that a car that cost 40 something thousand dollars has this problem. Having had an Acura (TL, as a matter of fact) and the Infiniti prior to this car, with no blue tooth problems, I'm miffed about this issue. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that no other little "issues" arise. All-in-all, I like the car fine, especially the ride and the room.

#14 of 39 Re: How do you like your Volvo XC60? [mscar54] by idmd

Sep 24, 2011 (7:35 am)

Replying to: mscar54 (Sep 24, 2011 6:48 am)
As I drove my 2010 TL for the last time I got into an argument with it. I said, 'Dial ######### and it said, "Passenger temperature down". I tried again and this time it responded with, "XM station 200". Finally I scream at it and it said, "Driver passenger temperature down". For me the voice recognition was horrible. The Bluetooth calling always worked with my iPhone but if I had it plugged in to USB the system would randomly switch from the USB to Bluetooth streaming (which I wasn't using) and the sound would go silent. I'd have to go into my phone, tell it to use the USB again and no doubt the car would switch it back again.
 
I think most BT issues are a combination of phone/car/software compatibility issues. You would have thought iPhones being so popular Acura would have made sure there was compatibility. Well they did at the time the car was manufactured based on the available software at the time. These issues would come and go with software updates to the phone. Interestingly my phone worked flawlessly with my wife's Pilot. There's nothing Acura or Volvo can do if I manufacture breaks compatibility with an update other than notify the manufacture and hope they fix it. That gets prioritized and if there are 6 million more important things Motorola may be slow to react. There just isn't enough standardization ATM. This issue MAY have nothing to do with Volvo......

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