2016 Volvo XC90
Pros: the vehicle is extremely comfortable and versatile. The hitch allows me to pull a trailer, and I also have a double hitch adapter which allows me to use a luggage carrier and bike rack at the same time (great for camping trips). I have also used the roof racks to carry sheets of plywood and lumber. You can do all these utilitarian things while keeping the interior pristine and available for 7 adult passengers. Gas mileage is good; power is good; ride is comfortable. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keeper options are fabulous, and the audible alerts when nearing objects are very reassuring. The vehicle is rugged and utilitarian, while being comfortable and beautiful in appearance.
Cons: The negative aspects are not significant, but nonetheless here they are. The start-stop function seems a little schizophrenic. Sometimes the car shuts off when I don't want it to (i.e., other people in the car and I'm stepping out to grab my mail), while at other times it remains running. Seems inconsistent. The HVAC controls are too subtle, especially for the mid and rear seats. Going from low fan to high fan is barely palpable. I'd also like to be able to lock-out the rear controls to keep the smaller kids from messing with them. The middle seat in the middle row is difficult to collapse from the driver's side, as the pull-cord is on the passenger side, and two hands are required to collapse the seat. The sun visor will not slide/extend when pulled out to block sun on a side window, which leaves a gap for the sun to shine through into the driver's eyes. The sensor under the rear bumper which allows you to open the tailgate hands-free is not quite as convenient as one would hope. It often requires numerous attempts, and then will disengage if you don't get out of the way quickly enough. It's a good idea, but it's usually quicker to figure out a way to use your hand on the regular tailgate button.
This is the second Volvo we have picked up in Sweden with the Overseas Delivery option. Our first vehicle was much more customizable under the OSD program, as we were able to pick and choose individual options and alternate colors, providing us with a fairly unique vehicle. Customization with the XC90 was nil, so we ended up with a rather generic vehicle. That was my biggest disappointment with the OSD program. Otherwise, both trips were great.
Overall, we are very pleased with our XC90, and I still think it was our best option out of the multitude of SUV's flooding the market. By the way, our local Volvo dealer provides fantastic service, so no complaints in that department.
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Verified Owner
