Volvo Xc90 / Bmw X5 (Second Gen.)

[maturin23 10]

Wife is making noises about a new car now we've got three ankle biters. Current Focus is now 6 years old and just too small inside despite it being a great car.

She wants more room (and I suspect perhaps something a little classier) and I can't face a people carrier - Renault Grand Scenic et al smacks of giving up on life.

I've also got an idea that it would be nice to have something that I can tow and launch a boat with.

 

I want this - http://www.carandcla....uk/car/C231183 but she say no.

 

My accountant has suggested a business lease might be a good use of company profits, so although I'd never considered a new car, it's now an option.

 

I've been looking at decent sized SUVs - want diesel and automatic (I can't quite believe I'm actually saying this - but it's true!), but after a few days research I've narrowed things down to a Volvo XC90 D5 197hp or BMW X5 40d (300hp). Both 7 seat options.

 

Volvo is cheaper but way slower. First gen. X5 I hated, but the new version is bigger and therefore (IMHO) less of a pointless exercise. If I'm honest, if I'm forced to run a 7 seater, then I want it to be fast and decent round the bends and the X5 fits the bill. Not much slower than my 205 Mi16 0-60 by the look of the stats.

 

I've been a passenger in an XC90 - seemed decent enough, but I've never even been inside an X5.

 

Any thoughts?

 

(haterz gonna hate - bring it on!)

Edited July 3, 2011 by maturin23

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

If nothing else have a test drive in a VW Touareg V10 TDI. Awesome machine.

Edited July 3, 2011 by Tom Fenton

[maturin23 10]

Is that the one that did the 747 pull as a publicity stunt?

 

I hate them and would never get one but a Q7 V12 diesel (6.0, 500 hp, 740lb/ft!) must be pretty mental too...

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

Not sure about a 747 but it towed a Combine Harvester on Top Gear.

 

My mates Dad has had a couple, they really are an awesome machine, 300-odd bhp but some obscenely massive amount of torque. Nice thing inside too.

[Justin 9]

I have run a couple of XC90's (V8 and D5) and found them extremely comfortable and practical as you might expect.

 

They were slow, dull and a bit agricultural though - also showing it's age inside - the audio/sat nav are archaic and distinctly last gen. It will also depreciate lots and not great on emissions.

 

I think they make sense if you do small mileages and buy one a few years old for not much money.

 

I would've though the BMW, even as a 3.0d would be a much nicer drive and more attractive proposition.

 

Justin.

[maturin23 10]

Here's the 747 pull....

 

 

No v10 diesel available any more.

[maturin23 10]

I was underwhelmed with the interior of the XC90 - have to agree. Compared to a recent Discovery it was very dated.

 

At the moment I'm only really looking at leasing new cars via a business rather than putting a big wedge of savings into a depreciating asset.

[feb 47]

What about a Range Rover Evoque?

IIRC it was rated quite well by Evo and surprised the journalists pleasantly it handled well despite its size.

It's not as massive as other modern tankers either and looks good IMHO.

If you don't need 4WD they do a 2WD diesel as well.

Edited July 3, 2011 by feb

[maturin23 10]

We need at least a mid-size car - need space for three car seats (two full boosters and a baby seat) and it would be great to have a couple of extra seats.

I would assume the Evoque is similar sized to the Focus estate I aready have (which TBH I'd be happy to keep...) so no point really.

[feb 47]

I don't know if there is an option for a 7-seater version but the interior and boot seem pretty spacious

http://www.landrover.com/gb/en/rr/range-rover-evoque/photos-and-videos/?view=Alt-2&id=2341712#wrapper

Edit, a quicke google seems to show there is no 7-seater one but RR is considering a bigger version the XL.

Edited July 3, 2011 by feb