I'm shopping for a new car and have always loved the Volvo brand. A while back I bought my 17 year old a 2010 XC60 that she (and I) love. My younger daughter is going to inherit my CR-V in a year or so and I like to have all my shopping done early and then be able to concentrate on negotiating a good deal when the time comes. I thought I was all set with a decision (XC60 T6 Inscription w/ the luxury package to get the massaging seats)
I drive a good bit - 25,000 miles a year which is mostly 350 miles one way to work about 3 times a month during "normal" times. I just found out Volvo discontinued the luxury package and the massage function on the 2021 XC60 line and find myself reevaluating what I thought I wanted.
Some thoughts...
I don't need a 3 row XC90 but would it be worth it to consider the V90CC to get the luxury package and the massaging seats?
If I just give up on the massaging seats I find myself a bit all over the place...
The XC60 T8 Inscription intrigues me but I worry about driving through the 100,000 battery warranty in four years...
I drove the T5 XC40 and liked it as a vehicle but thought the turbo lag in the T5 was very noticeable (I drove the T5 XC60 and felt the same way). Would it have been different if I had driven it in Dynamic mode or would adding the Polestar software help?
I thought the XC60 T6 was a great ride, loved the power, thought the transmission shifted smoothly and was just impressed with pretty much everything about the vehicle. I'm happy they are finally adding wireless phone charging to the option package as well as USB outlets in the back...
I feel like I should even consider the S60 and S90 too. I'm assuming the S90 would still have the massaging seats??
Out of frustration I test drove the Mercedes GLA and GLC today and was impressed with the tech and safety in both of them as well. (No massaging seats but the GLC does reset the cushions a bit on a timed program to help alleviate the pressure points.
I even drove the 2020 Subaru Outback Touring XT and liked it but it didn't speak "luxury" to me and while the seats were comfy I don't think they are as nice as the Volvo's for my 6 hour drive.
I know everyone will have their own personal thoughts but I'd love to hear them and see if you have any ideas or considerations I am missing.
The luxury package on the 2020 XC60 includes massaging and ventilated seats. You don't need an XC90 or a V90CC to get them. The V60/V90 are a very different drive and platform so I would suggest if you're considering them, you go drive them both and decide which car you prefer.
I thought that the 2021 removed the luxury package but _included_ it in the Inscription trim level. I hadn't heard that they'd remove the massaging seats, hopefully someone else here can confirm. The KBB review seems to suggest massaging seats still exist.
The massage function has been discontinued for 21 on the 60 lineup. There are very very few 2020's that have everything I want and honestly I don't need the car for a year until my daughter takes mine.
I'd rather not have a car sitting around not being used my Co for that long if I can help it.
The luxury package on the 2020 XC60 includes massaging and ventilated seats. You don't need an XC90 or a V90CC to get them. The V60/V90 are a very different drive and platform so I would suggest if you're considering them, you go drive them both and decide which car you prefer.
I thought that the 2021 removed the luxury
package but _included_ it in the Inscription
trim level. I hadn't heard that they'd remove the massaging seats, hopefully someone else here can confirm. The KBB review seems to suggest massaging seats still exist.
I have thought about this a lot and I go back and forth. On the one hand if I can find a 2020 with everything I wanted the warranty coverage would be a good deal. On the other hand I hate driving cars that I don't know how they were driven and could just as easily buy the 8yr/120000 extended warranty.
B&W with the volume way up and the right song will give you a nice back massage too.
I thought the massaging seats were nice, but timed out too soon. The Ventilating seats were too noisy for my tastes. It detracted from the silentness of a T8 running on battery.
As far as the turbo lag question, I have an XC60 T5, and yes, it does lag a little, (not enough to bother me much), but that is better and pretty much non-existent in Dynamic mode.
I drove both the T5 and T6 today for the second time. It's funny, I didn't think there was quite as much difference between the two today as I did during my first test drive. I played around more today with the driving modes and found I enjoyed the T5 in dynamic mode almost as much as the T6.
I have the XC60 T5 AWD w/Polestar. The Polestar mode is very noticeable in sound and shift points and makes it feel considerably faster (although the specs say the boost to near 300 ft/lb has a 0.1 sec impact to 60mph)
But understand you must MANUALLY put it in Polestar mode on startup or it is not active. You currently cannot have it as default. This means I don’t enable on most drives out of laziness as I’m already getting the temp and music (and sometimes gps and sunshade) where I want.
My personal fave is comfort mode with the Polestar power (regular braking and suspension) that I made in the “Individual” mode settings. But again, a manual process by clicking Drive Mode button, scrolling to your preference, and clicking down. Then waiting 2-3 secs to engage
I have the XC60 T5 AWD w/Polestar. The Polestar mode is very noticeable in sound and shift points and makes it feel considerably faster (although the specs say the boost to near 300 ft/lb has a 0.1 sec impact to 60mph)
But understand you must MANUALLY put it in Polestar mode on startup or it is not active. You currently cannot have it as default. This means I don't enable on most drives out of laziness as I'm already getting the temp and music (and sometimes gps and sunshade) where I want.
My personal fave is comfort mode with the Polestar power (regular braking and suspension) that I made in the "Individual" mode settings. But again, a manual process by clicking Drive Mode button, scrolling to your preference, and clicking down. Then waiting 2-3 secs to engage
So the salesman at Volvo today told me the cars with the Polestar software are always in Polestar mode. I'm guessing by your comments that this is not the case?
Can you go back and forth between the Polestar mode and any other mode just like on the cars without Polestar mode?
What differences are there between braking and suspension between modes?
Given that most of your driving is on the highway, you would not be a good candidate for the T8. Economically, that model makes sense if the majority of your miles are around town, so you can get 60-70% of your miles in pure electric mode. From the description of your driving, it seems like 90+% of your driving would be using the ICE, so why pay for the battery and the electric motors?
That's the way I was thinking too but I didn't want to discount it given the federal tax credit. I drove it today and while I liked it, I don't think it suits my driving mission like you said.
Another consideration. While the $5000 Tax credit is nice there is also another benefit that is available to those who use the car for business and have the ability to depreciate the car on the Federal Taxes. The XC90T8 hits the 6000 lb. gross vehicle weight and consequently qualifies for the expedited depreciation where you can take around $28,000 in the first year. Just saying.....
Just my personal opinion... paddle shifters are mostly useless on a T8. There are occasions where I do manually downshift but I could have achieved the same results with pushing the accelerator more. I'm glad I have them, but I wouldn't let the lack of paddle shifters become a blocker on a T8.
I personally think the massaging feature overrated. I rarely use it. As for the ventilated feature, it is nice but not nice enough to be a deal breaker. In fact, I have been told that non-massaging Inscription seats are more comfortable as they do not have all of the hardware needed for massage & ventilation. The XC60 is a great vehicle!!
I personally think the massaging feature overrated. I rarely use it. As for the ventilated feature, it is nice but not nice enough to be a deal breaker.
I kind of agree on the massaging feature. I use it occassionally - and it is nice - but it's not a "deal breaker" for me. I certainly don't use it as much as I thought I might.
I disagree on the ventilated seats, however. They work well, and they are a MUST HAVE, imo. My wife wanted an XC40 - and we would have one in our driveway if they offered ventilated seats in it. But since they don't, we won't buy one.
On my T5 engine. I've gotten used to it in comfort mode and its fine. Zero regrets about missing a T6. Consider my experience with gasoline MPG. After 4 weeks in the car I erased the MPG history, and so in the second four weeks i've owned the car i've averaged 18.7 MPG. I've probably driven 10% of the time on interstate and 90% non highway. Are you okay with averaging less than 18.7 MPG with your T6? If so then go for it I guess.
I do about 50/50% city/highway and I average ~24 mpg. If I'm 100% city I'll do 21-22mpg. 100% highway at 70-80mph I'll get 28mpg. If I stick to 55-65mph I can push 30mpg. That's in my T6.
Do not be misled to believe the T5 "must" be better on fuel. They both require 91+ AKI fuel. They're both the same 2.0L 4 cylinder block. They both have the same turbocharger. The only difference is the T6 gets a supercharger with clutch. The supercharger helps you with power down low, and the clutch disengages at higher RPM to reduce parasitic losses. The result is you get much more linear power delivery; and if you're not constantly trying to race people, you should get the same - or even better - fuel economy compared to the T5.
To me, the T6 is a no-brainer. More power when I want it; same/better economy the rest of the time. If the T5 didn't require premium fuel then maybe I could accept it as being the "cheap" option - but that isn't even the case.
Since you mention seating a fair amount I'll toss in something that bugs me considerably about the vehicle. I find it very difficult to find a comfortable drivers seating position that allows for easy entry/exit from the vehicle. In other words, I can find the right position, but this involves lowering the steering wheel to a point where my knees hit it up entry/exit. Probably most luxury cars today have an electric steering wheel adjust that automatically will raise the steering wheel out of your way when you put the car in park. I know of at least one brand that does this. But my volvo steering wheel adjust is manual. Just a little quirk to consider. This may depend heavily on drivers height too.
I agree with that. My last several vehicles had power-adjusting steering wheels. I think it's an egregious omission on any "luxury" vehicle - especially at this price point. I also believe that an "easy entry/exit" seat should be either standard, or at least part of the inscription package. Volvo includes all the hardware necessary to support this feature - they only need to write some simple software to cause the seat to move down and rearward when the door is opened, and return to the memory position when the door is closed. Ideally, they'd add a profile-linked setting to allow a user to turn this on/off, as well. They could even push this as an update to existing customers. I have no idea why they continue to refuse to do this.
But that's Volvo, I guess. I've complained about the bug in the instrument cluster where the gradients are incorrect, since I've owned my XC60. Every time I get Service 2.0 I check and the bug is still there. I wonder if it'll finally be fixed in the Google-powered system? I'll cackle if I test drive a Google-powered 2022 and the bug is still there.
I'm shopping for a new car and have always loved the Volvo brand. A while back I bought my 17 year old a 2010 XC60 that she (and I) love. My younger daughter is going to inherit my CR-V in a year or so and I like to have all my shopping done early and then be able to concentrate on negotiating a good deal when the time comes. I thought I was all set with a decision (XC60 T6 Inscription w/ the luxury package to get the massaging seats)
I drive a good bit - 25,000 miles a year which is mostly 350 miles one way to work about 3 times a month during "normal" times. I just found out Volvo discontinued the luxury package and the massage function on the 2021 XC60 line and find myself reevaluating what I thought I wanted.
Some thoughts...
I don't need a 3 row XC90 but would it be worth it to consider the V90CC to get the luxury package and the massaging seats?
If I just give up on the massaging seats I find myself a bit all over the place...
The XC60 T8 Inscription intrigues me but I worry about driving through the 100,000 battery warranty in four years...
I drove the T5 XC40 and liked it as a vehicle but thought the turbo lag in the T5 was very noticeable (I drove the T5 XC60 and felt the same way). Would it have been different if I had driven it in Dynamic mode or would adding the Polestar software help?
I thought the XC60 T6 was a great ride, loved the power, thought the transmission shifted smoothly and was just impressed with pretty much everything about the vehicle. I'm happy they are finally adding wireless phone charging to the option package as well as USB outlets in the back...
I feel like I should even consider the S60 and S90 too. I'm assuming the S90 would still have the massaging seats??
Out of frustration I test drove the Mercedes GLA and GLC today and was impressed with the tech and safety in both of them as well. (No massaging seats but the GLC does reset the cushions a bit on a timed program to help alleviate the pressure points.
I even drove the 2020 Subaru Outback Touring XT and liked it but it didn't speak "luxury" to me and while the seats were comfy I don't think they are as nice as the Volvo's for my 6 hour drive.
I know everyone will have their own personal thoughts but I'd love to hear them and see if you have any ideas or considerations I am missing.
Just got XC-60/2021/Inscription, it has heated and ventilated from seats a a standard, but no massage seats. However, with Climate package (that most Inscriptiions for US market are equipped with) you will have heated steering wheel (beofore it was possible to chose it as a separate option), heated back seats and 4 zone climate control. Front seats by themselves are very good, with adjustable front side extension and adjustable side cushions.
I'm shopping for a new car and have always loved the Volvo brand. A while back I bought my 17 year old a 2010 XC60 that she (and I) love. My younger daughter is going to inherit my CR-V in a year or so and I like to have all my shopping done early and then be able to concentrate on negotiating a good deal when the time comes. I thought I was all set with a decision (XC60 T6 Inscription w/ the luxury package to get the massaging seats)
I drive a good bit - 25,000 miles a year which is mostly 350 miles one way to work about 3 times a month during "normal" times. I just found out Volvo discontinued the luxury package and the massage function on the 2021 XC60 line and find myself reevaluating what I thought I wanted.
Some thoughts...
I don't need a 3 row XC90 but would it be worth it to consider the V90CC to get the luxury package and the massaging seats?
If I just give up on the massaging seats I find myself a bit all over the place...
The XC60 T8 Inscription intrigues me but I worry about driving through the 100,000 battery warranty in four years...
I drove the T5 XC40 and liked it as a vehicle but thought the turbo lag in the T5 was very noticeable (I drove the T5 XC60 and felt the same way). Would it have been different if I had driven it in Dynamic mode or would adding the Polestar software help?
I thought the XC60 T6 was a great ride, loved the power, thought the transmission shifted smoothly and was just impressed with pretty much everything about the vehicle. I'm happy they are finally adding wireless phone charging to the option package as well as USB outlets in the back...
I feel like I should even consider the S60 and S90 too. I'm assuming the S90 would still have the massaging seats??
Out of frustration I test drove the Mercedes GLA and GLC today and was impressed with the tech and safety in both of them as well. (No massaging seats but the GLC does reset the cushions a bit on a timed program to help alleviate the pressure points.
I even drove the 2020 Subaru Outback Touring XT and liked it but it didn't speak "luxury" to me and while the seats were comfy I don't think they are as nice as the Volvo's for my 6 hour drive.
I know everyone will have their own personal thoughts but I'd love to hear them and see if you have any ideas or considerations I am missing.
I was recently in your shoes and purchased an XC60 Momentum T5 around the first of the year. I was back and forth between options (loaded Inscription was in the budget) but I didn't want to up pay for options which I couldn't get enough clarity on in my mind. I also debated shelving the whole thing and getting a different brand. Ultimately I liked the safety aspect of Volvo and I figured I'll buy the more basic model and if I'm in love with the car then I'll go back in a year or two and and trade up once I understand it better.
On my T5 engine. I've gotten used to it in comfort mode and its fine. Zero regrets about missing a T6. Consider my experience with gasoline MPG. After 4 weeks in the car I erased the MPG history, and so in the second four weeks i've owned the car i've averaged 18.7 MPG. I've probably driven 10% of the time on interstate and 90% non highway. Are you okay with averaging less than 18.7 MPG with your T6? If so then go for it I guess. Dynamic mode sounds like what you are looking for. I rarely use it but it does pack a considerable punch with the T5. Its like a different car altogether.
Since you mention seating a fair amount I'll toss in something that bugs me considerably about the vehicle. I find it very difficult to find a comfortable drivers seating position that allows for easy entry/exit from the vehicle. In other words, I can find the right position, but this involves lowering the steering wheel to a point where my knees hit it up entry/exit. Probably most luxury cars today have an electric steering wheel adjust that automatically will raise the steering wheel out of your way when you put the car in park. I know of at least one brand that does this. But my volvo steering wheel adjust is manual. Just a little quirk to consider. This may depend heavily on drivers height too.
I’d expect the T5 and T6 to consume similar amounts of fuel. They are both forced induction engines running almost constant boost , which allows a lot of fuel to get injected in. T5 might go to vacuum more often at highway speeds.
Both my 2008 Lexus IS250 and 2015 Lincoln MKC had power tilt/telescopic steering wheel with the entry/exit feature. When I first looked at the XC60 in 2019 I didn't understand why they didn't have this feature and I still don't understand. I have gotten around it by programming memory #2 to move the seat back so I turn off the engine, open the door, press #2 and exit the car. My driver profile linked to the key begins to move the seat forward when I unlock & open the door but I have time to get into the seat before it is in the memorized position.
On Fri. I traded my 2019 Momentum T6 for a '21 Momentum T6 (deal was too good to pass up as it saved me money on my lease). I got the Climate, Advanced & Premium pkgs and Hardom Karmon audio system. I discovered the headlight washers have been removed as well as the electric rear seat release...both features which I liked. Also, the 4 zone Climate control with glove box cooling, is no longer available on the Momentum. The only feature that was added is the fog lights and active bending headlights.
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