[1-Testosterone]

Originally Posted by Santoshbhat

Any XC60 owners on the forum?

I am keen on adding a softroader to our garage and was looking forward to the new Hyundai Santa Fe. After the pricing bouncer bowled by Hyundai (nearly 35L OTR Bangalore) I was just looking at other options in the 40L bracket. If I am going to spend 35L for a Hyundai, I might as well stretch my budget a bit for a premium car like the XC60. I quite like the way it looks on the road and its high safety rating really appeals to me. It has received a facelift recently and I am sure some dated components like the ICE would have been updated.

I am looking at keeping the car for 10 years minimum. Would like to know from owners about their ownership experience and general pros and cons in owning a Volvo in India.

Pros - Comfort, Outstanding Quality of Leather Seats, Dashboard and every bit of material used inside out, Beefy Suspension - Fit for Indian Potholed Roads, Safest Car in it's category and few notches above, Excellent insulation from outside noise even when driving @ 150+

Cons - Lack of Dealer/Service Network.

Been driving my 2011 XC60 D5 AWD since past 3 years without a zit of problem. There are certain days when I have to commute 1000+ KM within a single day and it doesn't get any comfortable than this. It's like cruising a tank on the highway. Prior to my purchase, I tried both Q5, X3 and LR Freelander and I had almost 0% interest rate deals on these but I chose to carry my brains with my heart.
2014 model is a ripper minus 3 Chassis System (which Volvo had in their earlier models) and of course you won't be as thrilled as 3.0L Engine of BMW X3!

[Santoshbhat]

Originally Posted by nanu28

Well, from first hand experience of the older one. I have driven my brother-in-laws XC from Mumbai, to Srinagar last year,

Originally Posted by 1-Testosterone

Pros - Comfort, Outstanding Quality of Leather Seats, Dashboard and every bit of material used inside out, Beefy Suspension - Fit for Indian Potholed Roads, Safest Car in it's category and few notches above, Excellent insulation from outside noise even when driving @ 150+

Cons - Lack of Dealer/Service Network.

Been driving my 2011 XC60 D5 AWD since past 3 years without a zit of problem.

Thanks for your inputs. The reason I am looking to add a soft roader to our garage is to meet the needs of my growing family. I love my Laura TSi, but its back seat is not really spacious and comfortable. We are a tall family and very often after long drives my family keeps complaining about the lack of room at the back especially when travelling with four pax + 1 baby. With five passengers matters get really bad.

I am not so concerned about the weak dealer network. The Bangalore dealer is hardly 5 kms away!

I have a few more questions
1) What is the service interval and average cost of servicing?
2) How would you rate the reliability of the car? Any instances of parts failing?
3) How are spares priced? Are they in the same league as the big German trio?
4) How does the car run on Indian Diesel? Any issues?
5) How would you rate its high speed manners when compared to sedans?
6) How is the space at the back? How high is the central floor hump? Can three passengers sit comfortably at the back?

There are very cars on the road and there are hardly any Volvo ownership reports on the forum. I would really appreciate your replies.

[nanu28]

Originally Posted by Santoshbhat

Thanks for your inputs. The reason I am looking to add a soft roader to our garage is to meet the needs of my growing family. I love my Laura TSi, but its back seat is not really spacious and comfortable. We are a tall family and very often after long drives my family keeps complaining about the lack of room at the back especially when travelling with four pax + 1 baby. With five passengers matters get really bad.

I am not so concerned about the weak dealer network. The Bangalore dealer is hardly 5 kms away!

I have a few more questions
1) What is the service interval and average cost of servicing?
2) How would you rate the reliability of the car? Any instances of parts failing?
3) How are spares priced? Are they in the same league as the big German trio?
4) How does the car run on Indian Diesel? Any issues?
5) How would you rate its high speed manners when compared to sedans?
6) How is the space at the back? How high is the central floor hump? Can three passengers sit comfortably at the back?

There are very cars on the road and there are hardly any Volvo ownership reports on the forum. I would really appreciate your replies.

Will answer to the best of my knowledge,...
1) What is the service interval and average cost of servicing?
I will have to ask my Bro-In-Law, but they have a service plan.

2) How would you rate the reliability of the car? Any instances of parts failing?
Only the wind screen wiper washer for the rear, had an issue, as the rats bit off, But it wasnt a big deal as it is not ONE pipe from the front till the back, but in pieces, so Volvo had to just replace that.

Also the rear, Auto boot door, gave issues with its auto mechanism, but thats due to eccessive fine dust at high altitudes, get fixed, with some lube spray, but keeps coming back.

3) How are spares priced? Are they in the same league as the big German trio?
Yes, they are expensive as the other three, but we have nmot really needed anything so far, fingers crossed.

4) How does the car run on Indian Diesel? Any issues?
It loves it from what I can tell, we havve never faced any issue filling up all over the country, really from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, as I stated in my earlier post that its been all over.

5) How would you rate its high speed manners when compared to sedans?
I owned a 1.8TPI, and I have driven this car to Gulmarg, and its quite surprising, how competent it is.

6) How is the space at the back? How high is the central floor hump? Can three passengers sit comfortably at the back?
Well, its better than any oif the other 3 in comparison. My Sister is tiny, so she had no issues, rest of us were all 6feet + and had no issues in a 15 day road trip, which had about 400kms nearly each day.

Coincidently: Right now the Volvo XC Adventure is being televised, infact every thrusday at 8:30 on NDTV Profit. Now I am going to watch that....I guess I let it out where I tested the newer facelifted ones Its a reality TV show, which Volvo did.

Its a brilliant car, just dont think its an off roader thats all, and if you are okay with the sketchy Service network, I for one am picking one up even though my closest service center is over 600Kms away!!!

Originally Posted by 1-Testosterone

Pros - Comfort, Outstanding Quality of Leather Seats, Dashboard and every bit of material used inside out, Beefy Suspension - Fit for Indian Potholed Roads, Safest Car in it's category and few notches above, Excellent insulation from outside noise even when driving @ 150+

Cons - Lack of Dealer/Service Network.

Been driving my 2011 XC60 D5 AWD since past 3 years without a zit of problem. There are certain days when I have to commute 1000+ KM within a single day and it doesn't get any comfortable than this. It's like cruising a tank on the highway. Prior to my purchase, I tried both Q5, X3 and LR Freelander and I had almost 0% interest rate deals on these but I chose to carry my brains with my heart.
2014 model is a ripper minus 3 Chassis System (which Volvo had in their earlier models) and of course you won't be as thrilled as 3.0L Engine of BMW X3!

yes it does not have the 3 Chassis, system, but the 2012 has an Automatic adjustable suspenison whatever thats supposed to mean, ormaybe its just a sales thingy. I dont know as I have not felt much of a difference. The 2014, has Different modes, in the setup as well, but I believe they are all just for the cosmetic of the dash etc.

Also, there is the S mode and with the 2014's paddle shifters it feels a lot of fun too

And I forgot to add, you will be very surprised with its "Kitna Deeti hai!!"

[1-Testosterone]

Originally Posted by nanu28

yes it does not have the 3 Chassis, system, but the 2012 has an Automatic adjustable suspenison whatever thats supposed to mean, ormaybe its just a sales thingy. I dont know as I have not felt much of a difference. The 2014, has Different modes, in the setup as well, but I believe they are all just for the cosmetic of the dash etc.

Also, there is the S mode and with the 2014's paddle shifters it feels a lot of fun too

And I forgot to add, you will be very surprised with its "Kitna Deeti hai!!"

There "S" mode in 2011 too, although not advertised! As far as the 3-C go, I only felt the difference when driving in hills. 2014 one is much improved and I hope they do get in the best techno-gadgetry in their all new XC90 which I'm looking forward to.

[V.Narayan]

Originally Posted by Santoshbhat

Any XC60 owners on the forum?

I am keen on adding a softroader to our garage... I was just looking at other options in the 40L bracket....for a premium car like the XC60. I quite like the way it looks on the road and its high safety rating really appeals to me.

Santoshbhat, Please let me know how your decision has gone in case you have closed it. The XC60 is a car I am evaluating gradually and would welcome any inputs on long term ownership and Volvo's after sales service other than the useful inputs already come from nanu28 & 1-testosterone in this thread.

Originally Posted by nanu28

I have driven my brother-in-laws XC from Mumbai, to Srinagar last year, and again this year from mumbai to Almora. Besides this the car has also done one trip to Kanyakumari. ...A lot of times we have had to test it on broken roads and back roads which google maps takes us thru, never once have we been worried. We have not even faced a flat tire in the last 2 years.....Also, as a direct comparison to the Q3 and the X3 and I will also include the Evogue, as those were the 3 other cars we tested before buying the XC..... Auto Braking distance has been increased. And yes it will brake even at crawling speeds, horrible feature for India, I have almost always left it off, after it gave me a huge scare of the highway, whilst trying to overtake a truck. So its never been ON after that.

Nanu28 - please could you candidly share your experience with Volvo's after sales service. Exactly what is the auto-braking you refer to here.

Originally Posted by 1-Testosterone

Pros - Comfort, Outstanding Quality of Leather Seats, Dashboard and every bit of material used inside out, Beefy Suspension - Fit for Indian Potholed Roads, Safest Car in it's category and few notches above, Excellent insulation from outside noise even when driving @ 150+......Been driving my 2011 XC60 D5 AWD since past 3 years without a zit of problem. There are certain days when I have to commute 1000+ KM within a single day and it doesn't get any comfortable than this.

Very useful feedback here. Can you share your experiences with Volvo's after sales service. I am looking at a Volvo exactly for these long distance drives that my wife undertakes as a part of her profession on our not so safe highways. Delighted to hear the piece on the comfort in addition to the safety. I will do a test drive in September and post my views here.

Dear BHPians, I had Volvo give me 7 names of existing customers to call up. Managed to speak to 6 of them. All give positive to very positive feedback which is encouraging. However none had owned a Volvo for over 2 years so long term ownership inputs from nanu28 and 1-Testosterone are most useful. interestingly none had had any major or even minor component repair or replacement needed. This seems to be in cheerful contrast to the woes one reads of in Team BHP from the owners of the German Big 3. I also met the Volvo sales team in India who were happy enough to try and answer my list of questions emailed before hand - though I wish they had more knowledge. A similar email to Mercedes India did not receive a reply.

V. Narayan

[nanu28]

Nanu28 - please could you candidly share your experience with Volvo's after sales service. Exactly what is the auto-braking you refer to here.

I think this has been mentioned in the thread as well, it is a safety feature. Whenin the vehicle will brake should it detect that the speed at which we are going is too fast compared to the car a few meters in front; And hence it is decting a collision or unsafe distance; I dont like this feature in India at all;

Edit: The rear Boot shafts had been replaced fort free by volvo, due to excessive dust or whatever it had stopped going completely up and down via the button, and needed replacement. As said earlier it was changed for free. Also, Now she is running on her second set of tyres.


Also, on the Mumbai-Bhopal Highway last month the car hit a dog crossing the road unfortunately. The car's windshield washer bottle broke somehow, no dents or any other mark though; A new Bottle has been ordered, till then the volvo guys fixed it with M-Seal to be driven around.

[jkdas]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

Santoshbhat, Please let me know how your decision has gone in case you have closed it. The XC60 is a car I am evaluating gradually and would welcome any inputs on long term ownership and Volvo's after sales service other than the useful inputs already come from nanu28 & 1-testosterone in this thread.



Very useful feedback here. Can you share your experiences with Volvo's after sales service. I am looking at a Volvo exactly for these long distance drives that my wife undertakes as a part of her profession on our not so safe highways. Delighted to hear the piece on the comfort in addition to the safety. I will do a test drive in September and post my views here.

A dear friend has one ( he also has S60 and GL350) and he is very happy about its service. Actually first thing he would say to any is about who great their service is how they take care of you.

I also see couple of XC60 here which proves how good they are.

If you have any specific question, I can ask him.

[V.Narayan]

Originally Posted by jkdas

A dear friend has one ( he also has S60 and GL350) and he is very happy about its service. Actually first thing he would say to any is about who great their service is how they take care of you.....
If you have any specific question, I can ask him.

Dear JK Das, thank you for your kind suggestion. Could I trouble you to check with him on availability of spares and if his Volvo vehicle has ever got grounded for lack of spares which need to be imported from Europe. Thanks in advance - Narayan

[1-Testosterone]

I have a close friend of mine who happens to be a Volvo specialist and he can be flown to any part of India by the the owner in case of any emergency. He has been roped in by many Volvo dealerships when the things go awry beyond their scope. Don't worry, your Volvo will be in the safe hands and spare parts will never ever be a problem since he gets them directly from EU.

[Santoshbhat]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

Santoshbhat, Please let me know how your decision has gone in case you have closed it. The XC60 is a car I am evaluating gradually and would welcome any inputs on long term ownership and Volvo's after sales service other than the useful inputs already come from nanu28 & 1-testosterone in this thread.

My decision making never really got off the ground, let alone getting closed . I am quite happy with my Laura and was looking to replacing it with a larger vehicle to accommodate my family in a bit more luxury and comfort, without sacrificing the fun to drive factor. I need to make up my mind whether I want to replace my existing car or add another car for family duty.

Problem with big Euro sedans is that their low GC and delicate underbodies. So I was looking at crossovers lke XC60/ X3/ Q5 etc... In my research I found that although Volvos haven't sold in large numbers, there are very few unhappy owners. Whoever has got one is very happy with their purchase. Even outside India, I don't think Volvos suffer from reliability issues. I get the impression they are well built, safe, high quality cars. Just not as fun to drive as the German competition. Another problem is the CBU pricing, which makes it as expensive as the X3 and Q5.

I think if they could assemble the car in India, and manage a price of about 36L to 40L Ex showroom, get rid of some safety features which are totally impractical in India in the process, this car would sell in very good numbers.

[Sheel]

Santosh, one of our fellow member owns a XC-60. He has taken it to places. IIRC, Ravi Nayar is the gent's name. I think, he should be able to answer most of your questions. And he sure has been going places, check this out http://offbeatdrives.com/

Please have a TD, would really help in coming to a consensus.

[V.Narayan]

Originally Posted by Sheel

Santosh, one of our fellow member owns a XC-60. He has taken it to places....Please have a TD, would really help in coming to a consensus.

I will be taking a test drive in September and will post my observations. - Narayan

[TorqMaster]

V.Narayan,

Were you able to take a decision on the xc60. Am a fan of this car hence the question.

Also,
If our dear mods could conduct a review of the S80, S60 and the new XC60 it would be really helpful for a buyer .

Eby

[trailblazin]

Hi Guys,

My family recently purchased the XC60 D5 after a careful comparison with the Q5 and other SUVs in the similar segment. It has been 2-3 months since it got delivered to us now.
We chose the XC60 over the others because of the following points -
1) Great vehicle!!! 200+ bhp and 440NM of torque. Anyday more than the Q5 2L (almost same price point).
2) Felt it (D5 version) to be quite feature rich compared to the others in the segment. (laser assisted breaking, reverse cam (only available on the top variant of the Q5 which is much more expensive), rain sensor wipers)
3) Much lower annual insurance premium compared to the competitors based on my research. Almost half the premium compared to the others in the segment.
4) Since there are still very few Volvos on the road, it tends to get lot of attention.
5) The sales team guys were really humble and I loved the fact that they were not hard selling like the guys in Audi Kochi.

Overall I love the car. Though I just hope they provide the code for the navigation system soon. However, it comes pre installed on the R-Design version of the XC60.

[V.Narayan]

Originally Posted by TorqMaster

V.Narayan,

Were you able to take a decision on the xc60. Am a fan of this car hence the question.

Eby

Dear TorqMaster, I have not done my test drive yet due to excessive travelling on to put food on the table. I will put down my experience on Team BHP once done. In terms of looks and features and quality of interiors I am strongly attracted to the XC60 in comparison to rivals like the Q5 and X3. I must confess I've not test driven either vehicle but have ridden in them several times. Also spoke to a few owners of the XC60 and all had nice things to say of the vehicle. There is a review on the XC60 and the S60 but none on the S80. Best wishes.

Dear trailblazin, when you can please share your actual user experience of the XC60, Thanks.