• Summary

    5 out of 5 5.0

    What does this car say about you?

    My colleagues and friends call it the grand dad car (am 44) but I truly believe the car does not say anything about me as it is not the car who define a person.

    What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

    They like the comfort, long distance cruising and with a bi-weekly trip from Brighton to Cornwall know that all I take with me and myself are very safe.

    Would you buy this car again and why?

    Absolutely, probably slightly more power as the 163bhp version that I have feels slightly underpowered.

    What are you likely to buy next?

    XC70, XC90, 5 series.

  • Buying experience

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Type of dealer you bought from?

    Independent

    Did you buy this car new?

    No

    What price did you pay?

    £6,500

    When did you buy the car?

    October 2013

    Did you get a good deal and why?

    It was a good deal as it came with warranty, the car is (apart from a sunroof and tow bar) fully loaded) and was 400 pounds cheaper priced at the time.

    Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

    Space, 4wd, safety.

    What was the dealer like?

    Friendly, professional independent dealer near Newport that I could recommend to others.

  • Driving it

    5 out of 5 5.0

    What's it like to drive?

    Comfortable, not very fast, good mpg (average has been between 47 - 50 mpg over the past year) and safe of course.

    What's it like to park?

    With parking sensors to the rear not too bad, miss the ones to the front, folding mirrors very good for parking but it is a bit of a nightmare to park it in my parking bay at the office due to its width.

  • Living with it

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Have you had any problems with the car?

    A module for the gearbox needed to be changed (180 pounds) at the moment the EGR and a turbo valve need to be replaced which should not be more than 200 pounds in total so in a year time and after about 13000 mls that is not too bad. Please visit the Volvo forum first before getting one, most people there to buy a pre-DPF model.

    What's most practical about your car?

    Boot, comfortable driving (sports or comfort does not seem to be differ much when I adjust that) and actually have not seen any snow and ice. But on very rainy country roads and on the M25 with aquaplaning the 4wd feels so very reliable.

    Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

    Memory seats, folding mirrors and integrated phone, definitely NOT the built in sat-nav.