07 XC90 - 3.2 or V8

Re: 07 XC90 - 3.2 or V8 (ea_sport)


You can hardly go wrong either way. I'm happy with my 06 V8. Average mileage is 18.3 currently, up from 15 showing when I bought the car in November. There must have been some serious test driving going on...

The CPO program seems to be one of the better programs out there, and could save you serious cash in the future. In my case, it definitely took a lot of the worry out of buying a used vehicle in this price range.

Good luck!
Kevin

Re: 07 XC90 - 3.2 or V8 (ea_sport)

Since the mpg difference is slight, and your question was whether the added acceleration is worth it, I would say absolutely, positively. I have only had the V8, but it is one sweet motor. And does not have to work hard unless you want it to. Like a big cat, calm, cool and relaxed, but always ready to pounce.

Also the V8s usually will have a lot more options, if those are things you are interested in. But it also comes down to where you are driving it. The better mpg will be more significant if most of your driving is in town, and you don't have mixed highway to balance it out.

A lot of folks here are quite happy with the 3.2, and I am sure it is a fine motor. But since you asked for opinons, I for one love my little V8 and am happy to sacrifice a little mpg for the fun! I think it would be an easier decision if the mpg spread was bigger. Also the V8 turns pretty low rpm's both in town on especially on the highway. But, I have no knowledge of the 3.2s rpms.

And there is always the thought that you might as well enjoy a V8 one last time before they all go away!

Re: 07 XC90 - 3.2 or V8 (ea_sport)

In April 08 I picked up a new XC90 V8. It now has 18K and so far has not returned to the dealer. I've changed oil twice and checked it over as per the manual. Only vehicle I've ever owned I can say that about.

Drove both the V8 and the I6 prior to deciding for the V8. Trip mileage is 23-25, urban is 17-18, both down a mile since new. I use the cheapest and lowest octane I can find. Yes, I know about tier three fuel and so on. Throw in a can of cleaner every 10K or so. Change the transmission fluid every 50K, brake and power steering fluid, and anti freeze, every three years.

The reason I went with the V8 was - in addition to the power (I tow about 10% of the miles) - was the relaxed cruising and ability to climb hills and pass w/out constant shifting. If you are like me and keep your vehicles a long time the six's constant shifting to keep the XC's large mass moving will at some point, and over the long haul, cause a transmission issue - certainly sooner than the relaxed, stay-in-gear transmission of the V8. Is that always true? Of course not, but generally speaking common sense says yes.

If you change vehicles every 3-5 years at less than a 100K this is not an issue, buy whichever, but if you are like me and keep them a long time it could be. Just saying. The last three vehicles I've had were traded at 200K, 145K and 152K respectively. I don't want a $5K repair just prior to sale and so far have never had a transmission problem (am knocking on wood right now).

Just a bit more information for you to ponder prior to deciding.

Re: 07 XC90 - 3.2 or V8 (blinky)

New owner of an 07 XC90 V8 here, just got it a month ago. I definitely recommend the V8. I test drove the 3.2L and liked it, but the V8 was a definite difference. Even my wife commented on it within 30 seconds of her driving it on the test drive. My previous car (Audi A6 with twin turbo V6) had a good bit of power and I wasn't willing to go with the lesser engine (especially after I saw the acceleration stats for each engine-big difference!).

I just had it on an 800 mile road trip and fully loaded with the family and all of our beach gear and clothes I was getting over 24mpg on the highway and 23 with some random red lights mixed in, typically driving 65-75mph. That is fantastic for a vehicle of this weight and a V8. My Audi weighed 700 lbs less, had 61 less Hp, was much more aerodynamic, yet I was lucky if I got over 22mpg highway!

One thing that threw me off when I first got it is that you don't realize how quickly you are accelerating without even trying. The transmission shifts smoothly enough and works with the V8's torque band that you don't have to push hard to leave traffic behind. I can have a pretty heavy foot at times yet I think I've floored the XC90 2x in a month and both times were just to see what it had available at full song. Highway acceleration from 60-80 when floored is awesome and the engine sounds great in the process.

I am super happy with the decision to search out a V8 over the more common 6cyl, its totally worth it.