Edward

I haven't driven the XC90, but am very familiar with Volvos, and thus I have to take exception to the "underpowered" comments. No, the Volvos don't usually win any stoplight wars, but then is THAT their purpose? It reminds me of when a co-worker exclaimed that 911s are "impractical 'cause their back seats ain't real and the trunk don't fit much." Does the phrase: "you've missed the point" apply here?

Volvos do a stellar job of coddling their passengers in comfort, they handle competantly with reasonable sportiness (depending on the model), and oh yeah, they're safe --a consideration I had ignored in my youth but have learned to appreciate now that I have little ones! And if you get a turbo, they really are genuinely fast...not of the stoplight to stoplight variety, but once rolling will really haul butt, especially up in elevation when even those other guys' big 8s start wheazing! If towing capacity is not a real concern for you and the street will be its actual habitat 95% of the time, I'd give the Volvo the nodd over the VW anyday. Just thought I'd chime in with my perspective

Sidenote: Dain's V70R is the ultimate do-all car for me...with the optional 3rd row seats, of course

Edward

Sailswish

Bought the 2004 Xc90 just before Thanksgiving since it qualified for the SUV Tax credit, with the third row seat option, it grosses in at 6,005lbs!! Coincidence? It replaces a 740 wagon for the business. Night and day difference. Has 1600 miles on it now and has performed spectacularly in the snows we've had. The antilock brakes work great. Fit and finish look flawless. 5cylinder engine runs on regular, 6 needs premium. Forgot what it feels like to be head to head height wise with all the Jeeps and Explorers out there.

Rolo

LOL, If I were a member, I'd buy a Cayenne tt. Or get one for free. I am a badge holder though. Here is how you get to play. Call down and see if you can get on as a gallery guard or any meaningless job. No pay, but discounts on products and a free day at the course..Good luck

Norske

I drove the Volvo, didn't like as it was under powered. I'm personnaly on my 4th Jeep. Grand 2001 Cherokee, 49K miles, no problems. V8 uses regular, and I get 18 to 19 Hiway MPG at about 80 to 85. Ride is great as is full time 4WD. Wife loves because when it snows, she does not have to worry about 4WD levers. Drove the Trailblazer and liked. Drove the Explorer and thought it drove like a truck, which it is. the Jeep has the most comfortable seats of the lot. Of course, it's not a BMW, Porsche or Mercedes, but it's well built, dependable and can be bouhgt for a lot less.

JimB

We've had a XC90 for about 4 months and really can't say enough good about it. For my wife, it's a great compromise between an all out SUV and the smaller rigs like the X5. It drives worlds better than the RR 4.6HSE she had before. It has much more room than the X5. The quality appears good. It has every safety option known to man and the performance isn't half bad. I'm not sure where the underpowered comments are coming from unless the Pepper Turbo has become the new SUV performance standard.

I wouldn't buy an XC90 if you plan to go off road or if you plan to do a lot of towing but as a compromise between a AWD wagon and an SUV I think it's a great choice.

Rolo

Do you have the 5C or 6? Thanks

JimB

Rolo, we have the 6.

User 4621

Rolo,

You didn't really give enough info. Why ditch the Odyssey and what capabilities do you need to retain or add?

Any SUV will be far less practical, and most won't handle or accelerate any better.

If you need a SUV, some towing ability, care about off road capability and still need seating for 7 or 8, I would recommend a Land Cruiser. I consider it the perfect old-school SUV, along with the Range Rover.

If you don't need the room, but want the seat height and some sportscar performance, you can't beat the Infiniti FX35.

If you can do without the seat height and keep it on the pavement, I'd go for a Volvo wagon.

Every year my wife gets new car fever and we go to the auto shows and sit in everything made, and go test drive a few. Every year, we end up keeping our Land Cruiser. If we ever get rid of it, it'll probably be for a V70R, once they put a functioning auto tranny in it.

Good luck and buy a car for use, not image. Image wears off in a year and you're stuck with use.

Rolo

PeterS,

You make good points. The Odyssey is a great van. It drives and handles very nice and is pretty peppy.

That said. The wife wants a Volvo. Always liked them, and yes I think its more about image that most anything else. She always supports me in my porsche addiction. So this one is for her. I just want her to have a good solid auto. I wish she liked the chilly pepper. But she thinks its ugly, and she to is a porsche nut.

User 4621

Those reasons are good enough.

"When momma's happy, everyone's happy."