D5 AWD R-Design Geartronic 5dr Auto

Superb.

Bought from new. It nearly bankrupt me at the time, but I figured a quality car bought new and then maintained scrupulously at the dealers would pay off in the long run. And it has, big time. 142,000 miles and the only breakdown in all that time was a headlamp bulb - it was a xenon unit and the other side probably didn't have long left so I had them replaced as a pair. The slightest hint of trouble ahead and I have the dealers pounce on it immediately, and that's been the key to reliable, hassle free ownership - it's a large, very complex vehicle, and just because it's a few years old doesn't mean it has become any the less demanding with it's maintenance requirements, and thats where I think many people fail with these as they buy them and then try to run them on a shoe string. That simply does not work. Even the best independent specialists don't get technical bulletins from Volvo, and their access to latest vehicle software is not immediate, so the dealermit has always been. Supremely comfortable, well equipped, very spacious, not a rocket ship but it has 400NM of grunt on tap and it is exactly where its needed revs wise on the motorway. Some people find them heavy on brake wear, but I think they need to learn to drive properly as mine usually need replacing due to age related corrosion before I can wear them out. 32.4 average MPG, which for its size and weight I am very pleased with. £230 fully comp, low risk profession, 33 years no claims, low risk area. Road tax is a bummer, £325, but 28 odd quid a month and the cost of the diesel is still a lot, lot, cheaper than transitioning to an electric car and paying the loan off. Cleans up well and looks like a 2 year old car when buffed and waxed, not the 12 years she really is. If I can get another 4 or 5 years reliable motoring out of the old bus I will be extremely happy indeed. The next car will probably be a new XC90, hybrid or full electric if they have one on sale by then.

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