XC60 - what to pick?

redwifey · 07-01-2025 11:43AM #1

Just looking for advice as I'm confused. I'm looking to purchase an XC60 hybrid either 2021 or 2022. I can afford a 2021 with lowish mileage (60km) that originated in UK or a 2022 higher than average mileage (approx 90ish km). Also, independent garages are cheaper than main dealers, is this a risky choice?

What would you pick? As a family, we average approx 15,000 km per annum and we plan to hold onto this car for approx 5-8 years.

Thanks

pale rider · 07-01-2025 11:47AM

Lovely car, it was on my list recently but they do seem to be an expensive option, I’m always swayed by lower mileage as generally when I go to sell on they remain lower compared to similar aged models so for me it’s the mileage, what’s your budget

redwifey · 07-01-2025 11:52AM

Budget is about 45-47k. We have a 11 year old Citroen that we have from new that we are looking to offset against it.

mailforkev · 07-01-2025 12:40PM

Sell your Citroen privately for starters. You’ll get significantly more in a private sale compared to a trade in.

As for the XC60, they’re a great car (from a few years of experience). Volvo main dealer will be a bit more pricey but the car should come with a decent warranty if you get one of their approved used ones. Servicing is not cheap but ours were reliable. The T models are plug in hybrid, B are mild hybrid. If you have a home charger and will plug it in regularly go for the T, otherwise I’d save the money and go B.

Personally I’d look for full Volvo service history and then go for the highest spec one I could find. Lower mileage is obviously more desirable but condition is more important. Also, it mightn’t be as practical if you’ve kids but the lighter interior makes it feel more luxurious.

redwifey · 07-01-2025 12:56PM

I have kids alright but they are teenagers so the lighter interior would be fine (and preferred) for us. Does it matter if it's originally a UK import or should I look for an Irish car? Sorry, these are all stupid questions but I just don't want to make a mistake. It will probably be a B model we go for.

Oafley Jones · 07-01-2025 02:29PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058386874/xc60-what-to-pick

Is the 22 the facelift? I'd avoid the original power units to be honest.

AMKC · 07-01-2025 05:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123028852#Comment_123028852

You could just buy a lovely Citroen C5 Aircross the pre Facelift version is much better looking than the facelifted one in my opinion anyway and they are a very good, very practical SUV with 5 individual seats as well. You don't find that much these days. It would be a lot cheaper than the Volvo and cheaper to run too.

drunkmonkey · 07-01-2025 05:41PM

Ideally you're looking for a 2022+ T8 Ultimate Bright within budget, don't buy the older one with the smaller battery or are you going for a diesel? Battery range is roughly 50km to 70km depending on the day and weather if you're going for the T6 or T8.

Is this for city or country? How many kids, the reason i'm asking is the XC90 has the same running costs but a load more space. We've had both, sold the 2022 xc60 last year but still have the xc90.

redwifey · 07-01-2025 05:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123030236#Comment_123030236

No offence but I really don't like the Aircross. We've had a Grand Picasso now for the last while while the kids were small and I want to get something that I like.

@drunkmonkey primarily city driving. I just feel the XC90 would be too big for us being honest.

kirving · 07-01-2025 06:13PM

I was absolutely set on an XC60 T6/T8, but rented one last year and was a little let down.

There are fewer nicer places to sit than the XC60, and I really liked the car, but the options on the digital dash were severely limited (it only really shows the speedo or map) and while the Google Maps & Spotify integration was great - it's not enough to win me over. The car over relies on the touchscreen, so much so that I think the fiddling around it takes away from the overall driving experience.

I ended up going with a Mercedes GLC instead which has overall the better interior experience IMO. If you get one with the larger screen, and digital dash, it really is very customisable and easy to use.

drunkmonkey · 07-01-2025 06:13PM

If it's the city the XC60 will be perfect, you just need to do the maths and see if it's worth getting the hybrid, it might not make any sense the savings aren't huge if any pluggin it in. It will be lovely to drive though as it's silent with no engine ticking away. I'd be more worried about what specification it is than the milage as with your low milage a one with higher milage if at the right price will balance itself out over a few years. I sold mine last year with 70,000km on it after less than 2yrs from new and it never skipped a beat. Full service history is essential, and it's well worth keeping it up.

The 90,000km UK one sounds a bit dicey (there's Irish ones out there), it's a lot buy saying that if I had of kept mine there would be 100k on it now.

dmcdona · 07-01-2025 06:26PM

Volvo just offered me two services (one per year) for a tad over €800 for a 192 XC90. That includes standard service, wiper blades, brake pads and discs. Also included is Volvo on call (break down assistance etc.).

Their servicing is very thorough so very much worth the price. The Volvo service history will also help if/when selling or trading in.

Lovely car by the way.

Infoseeker1975 · 07-01-2025 06:30PM

I had an XC60 in the past and loved it, changed to a V90 & it is so comfortable to be in, will forever be staying with the V90 though think they are only in Hybrid now, there should be 2019-2021 diesel V90 on the market. We always get it from the UK or a UK from an Irish dealer as our experience has been that the spec is better.

drunkmonkey · 07-01-2025 06:44PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123030437#Comment_123030437

Eh I dunno about that deal, are they really changing the discs?, the last xc90 service was about 200.

dmcdona · 07-01-2025 06:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123030496#Comment_123030496

Yes - wipers, pads and discs included - obviously only if they need to be changed. But I cant see existing pads and discs lasting until December 2027…

I've not had a Volvo before. My compressor Merc was about 300 per service so I thought 400 for the xc90 was a bargain.

That said, I'm sure it can be got cheaper than 800 for two services - but I doubt that would be at an approved Volvo center?

I've never skimped on servicing my cars - I always go for the full service whether needed or not. Full peace of mind and a fully documented history. Used to get the Merc done twice a year but I was doing a lot of mileage. Got a great sale price for it when I moved it on.

drunkmonkey · 07-01-2025 07:12PM

See I don't think they'll be changing them and they know it, when were they changed last, discs could be every 150km or 5/6yrs pads are about 60km I think. Maybe one set of wiper blades.

I don't know how much milage you're doing in those 2yrs but it looks expensive at 1st glance.

I use Bolands in Carlow, find the excellent and good value.

I always keep the service history up, they don't mind if you skip some things with a local place, that free volvo rescue is worth it, we needed it a couple of times with the xc90.

goochy · 07-01-2025 07:40PM

Getting a dealer to import one to your exact tastes Seems best option . As its hybrid vrt shouldn't be too bad ..Main dealers like connollys or spirit might be interested or used car dealers like assured autos in Cork or First choice autos in Dublin

dmcdona · 07-01-2025 07:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123030575#Comment_123030575

That's good info thanks. Car has only done 70k since new (it was really low mileage - about 10k per year) so looks like the discs won't need to be done but pads should be due at next service, probably not the second service. Wipers are fairly cheap so that's not a big deal.

I did think though that the way prices are going in general, it was good to lock in the price now and by the time the service is due, it'll effectively be "free" seeing as I'll have well absorbed the cost (paid last November).

The on call I think is about 30 quid a year. But it's added on "free" if you service at an approved center.

I'd probably be 20 to 25k per year, maybe less as I'm starting to slow down… next service is next September or 30k since last service. I won't be doing 30k for sure.

Are Bolands a Volvo dealer?

goochy · 07-01-2025 08:01PM

Ye they are

Oafley Jones · 07-01-2025 10:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123030302#Comment_123030302

They’re not getting a top spec facelift with T8 for 47k. And they don’t need to. The upside over the t6 isn’t worth it. And the market bares this out as there’s maybe two on sale. 350bhp in the T6 is enough for most people and there’s very little bonus to the 455bhp car it’s just under 5 secs vs 5.7 0-100. And honestly you don’t really feel that much as most of the shove is coming from the electric. It was different story with the earlier engines/motors, but the (small) decrease in efficiency and range isn’t worth it. And this coming from someone who is always banging on about how the dual motor EX30 is the best value power upgrade in the motor industry at the moment. That people should absolutely get it despite the practical considerations. People (if they’ve the money) opting for the T8 XC60 is similarly perplexing to me.

Similarly the mid spec is fine, even the entry is okay. I’m wouldn’t pay the premium for air suspension and a hud.

Again. Don’t consider the pre facelifts. I can only speak for the first T8 XC90, but as much as I liked that car. The motors had nowhere near enough power and caused the petrol to kick in constantly. And I’ve an extremely light foot. Electric range was pitiful, no matter how hard I tried. And it was thirsty besides. Again, lovely car, but those engines weren’t economical.

XC60 - what to pick?

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