A shame you don’t like it, but after just 2 weeks I am surprised you wouldn’t give yourself more time to warm up to the vehicle. Idk what VW you have owned, but as manufacturers go they’re worlds apart and not exactly easily comparable.

 

Love my 2019 V90R. Original owner and purchased the Fidelity/Volvo extended warranty and settling-in. Car gets a ton of looks here in Denver. Definitely an un-common car. I vote for giving the car more time to grow on you. If it has the Harmon whatever sound system-that quality sound system is the best of any car I have owned.

 

.....but it lacks the soul and driving involvement I've become used to in my past VW's. The 316 bhp motor is quick and quiet, but its so smooth that I never know what gear I'm in, not have complete control of it. In addition the technology is a bit overwhelming, and I feel the car is more suited to a "set it and forget" type of driver. I find myself looking away from the road too much to fiddle with the display oriented controls.

Nonsense - This is the peak of Volvo build and quality. There's literally nothing better from VW or any other Euro manufacturer that compares to it's supreme driving experience.

 

There is nothing quite like it. @BolboLubber is right. They are built like absolute tanks. And have some of you guys seen how reliable they are too? These cars can go for 1,000,000 miles. Ya that's right.. 1,000,000 miles! It's so reliable and so overbuilt that it doesn't even make any sense. Volvo has an almost unhealthy obsession when it comes to quality and reliability.

 

Throw the mileage up on your listing. Beautiful car, I remember when this was for sale at Smythe. Not the car for everyone, but certainly for someone.

 

For an eternity. Volvo for life. 🤙

 

I hear you, OP. I've never bonded with my loaded 2020 V90 Inscription for similar reasons and mine will be up for sale as soon as I can figure out what it's worth.

I'd much rather drive my old VW Touareg with the V10 TDI, although it would be nice if it had the self driving at times! The Touareg is just as nice of a car as the V90 in terms of style, driving comfort, and quality of materials, but with some driving soul. Plenty of other great European options out there too.

Good luck with your sale! It is a beautiful car.

 

I'd much rather drive my old VW Touareg with the V10 TDI

You must be a glutton for punishment when it comes to repairs lol. And need to frequently tow houses, space shuttles, etc. Looked into getting one because they’re so ridiculous but the maintenance costs pushed me away

 

I thought this was going to be the pinnacle of my car ownership, this beautiful Mussel Blue V90 Inscription wagon. I was wrong. The car is fast, quiet, luxurious beyond compare, and safe.....but it lacks the soul and driving involvement I've become used to in my past VW's. The 316 bhp motor is quick and quiet, but its so smooth that I never know what gear I'm in, not have complete control of it. In addition the technology is a bit overwhelming, and I feel the car is more suited to a "set it and forget" type of driver.

LOL! What you described is what a proper estate wagon is supposed to me. As LarryM said, "not the car for everyone, but certainly for someone."

 

I was in your shoes for a bit after coming from an Audi to a Volvo S90 finding the driving dynamics weird and hard to understand....then it all clicked and now I would not go back. It took about 2 months for me so I think you need some time. Anyway give the car to someone who appreciates it. I find it hard to compare this to anything the VW group offers in terms of quality but taste is individual. Best of luck...VW in my experience has been an endless money pit full with leadership who just doesn't care about the drivers who are suffering.

 

Link to car fax ??
thanks
Or
PDF of window sticker from Carfax

 

Those who get it, get it. Volvo doesn't claim these cars to be sports cars or anything like that. It's meant to be a practical, luxurious, safe vehicle that proves easy to live with for a long long time.

 

+1 OP, try like a V60 P* or something and see if that's what you're after. I love the V90, but I am partial to larger wagons like that.

 

I agree with @maggs on this one actually. I don't know if I feel any grippier brakes in dynamic or P* mode but it does make a difference and there are also bolt ons that you can buy too to make the car feel even more responsive.

What I love is the grip. It's absolutely fantastic for this type of car in particular. If you added some like Pilot Sport 4s's or something then you could really make this car handle even better. It's unreal. I think a lot of that has to do with the front suspension design too. And I honestly am a big fan of the ride handling balance too. You have some road feel but it's still forgiving. I think that Volvo frankly nailed it out of the park on that one. The engine I also like too. Like I said with the bolt ons in particular, it really adds to some of the response and it adds a little bit of deep noise to the engine so honestly it does do a lot of stuff well. It's extremely reliable, it's safe, it's good in the snow and it's practical and when you look at, it has to be one of the most beautiful cars on sale. I think it's one of the most beautiful cars in the world imo. It is really something to just behold.

 

There are also few cars that own the term station wagon like Volvo does. It really is their pride and joy. This vehicle has reached an almost iconic status and it's not for being flashy necessarily. It instead has become synonymous for being almost low profile, not raising a bunch of unnecessary attention, functional yet beautiful design, and legendary Volvo dependability. It's so good at just being a car but it's also relaxing and there just isn't anything else quite like it. It's a very unique vehicle.

 

Don't get me wrong.

I agree they are great cars. IMHO much better than any VW, but they are not the same. If you are going to compare them to a VW it is probably a first gen Phaeton, not a GTI. (I only say first gen as later Phaetons were smaller)

Completely different cars for completely different purposes driven by different types of people or at least chosen at different times in their lives.

I bet OP would love how an S60 or V60 drives.

I suspect OP doesn't dislike how Volvos feel. I suspect OP dislikes how large cars feel. He might even be disappointed in a Panamera.

 

@mattlach, for the most part, I don't disagree. However, IMO Dynamic mode dramatically improves my V's performance, particularly considering the small engine and large size/weight of my car. With this said, it's certainly no sports car. But, then again, it's an estate wagon.

 

If someone thinks that a VW is better than a V90 (what is the comparison? Passat? Golf Wagon? ) that deserves to drive a VW. Yes, the 1.9 PD TDI was a half million miles engine with 40 mpg fuel consumption but the interior was always boring and crappy. There is no modern VW on the US market which looks or drives better then a V90.
Volvo is the bottom shelf luxury vehicle but VW is not even in the room where the shelves are. 😁

 

If someone thinks that a VW is better than a V90 (what is the comparison? Passat? Golf Wagon? ) that deserves to drive a VW. Yes, the 1.9 PD TDI was a half million miles engine with 40 mpg fuel consumption but the interior was always boring and crappy. There is no modern VW on the US market which looks or drives better then a V90.

Oh people swear on the B8 Passats though that it's just as premium as a V90.. There's people on here who think KIA is more premium than Volvo too. I don't see it.. 🤷‍ but if that's what they think..

 

If I had unlimited resources, I might pick up a Phaeton just for and , but as I don’t I’ll stick with Volvos.

 

Why not the Audi A8? That’s the real deal and never rusts because it’s made out of aluminum.

 

Phaeton is special. That's why.

 

I know of one for sale...

If I had unlimited resources

spoiler alert: I don’t

I’d probably drive it for a couple months and sell it for another Volvo anyway.

 

Original poster here; I came from a 2008 VW passat wagon, Luxury. 6 speed automatic with paddle shifters. That wagon was physically smaller than the V90, yet had 65 CF of capacity to the v90s 60 CF. So that in and of itself is a step backwards. I like to pick up furniture and garage sale finds on the side of the road, so the v90 is at a disadvantage on that score.

Its a bigger heavier car with 2 extra gears, and no paddle shifters to engage with. Is it in a different category alltogether? Absolutely, the two cars are not comparable in any way except that they are wagons....BUT the VW had a more engaging driving experience that allowed you to interact with the car more. With the v90 I never know what gear I'm in because the car is so smooth and its intent is to isolate you from the road. Also the paddle shifters in the VW allowed engine braking and gear holding that the v90 can't match, even when you flip the gear shifter into the manual mode. The transmission programming in the vw was overtly sporty.

The v90 has a small tank of only 15.9 gallons to the VWs 18.5 gallons, so I can't travel nearly as far between fill ups which I find annoying and frustrating. Why does a car of this size have such a small tank?

Again I mention the technology, because I find it distracting. I did a lot of driving this week, several hundred miles and I was totally refreshed at the end, and I recognize that is an important factor to me, to be able to exit the car and not feel my back screaming from the worn out seats in my old VW. The autonomous driving feature makes long drives a breeze and kinda fun, but any new VW also has most of the same tech to aide my long drives. Are the vw's built as well? No, but I don't spend too much time worrying if I'll survive a crash based on the type of car I drive. Its a secondary consideration to me.

I'm a wagon guy through and through. Love them and have been driving them for about 25 years. They are the sweet spot for me between a sedan, and a suv. I HATE suvs with a passion, and have always felt wagons were a better idea with similar carrying capacity and lower center of gravity, and handling not to mention better gas mileage.

So as blasphemous as this is, I just feel this car is not the ideal wagon for me.

 

Original poster here; I came from a 2008 VW passat wagon, Luxury. 6 speed automatic with paddle shifters. That wagon was physically smaller than the V90, yet had 65 CF of capacity to the v90s 60 CF. So that in and of itself is a step backwards. I like to pick up furniture and garage sale finds on the side of the road, so the v90 is at a disadvantage on that score.

Its a bigger heavier car with 2 extra gears, and no paddle shifters to engage with. Is it in a different category alltogether? Absolutely, the two cars are not comparable in any way except that they are wagons....BUT the VW had a more engaging driving experience that allowed you to interact with the car more. With the v90 I never know what gear I'm in because the car is so smooth and its intent is to isolate you from the road. Also the paddle shifters in the VW allowed engine braking and gear holding that the v90 can't match, even when you flip the gear shifter into the manual mode. The transmission programming in the vw was overtly sporty.

The v90 has a small tank of only 15.9 gallons to the VWs 18.5 gallons, so I can't travel nearly as far between fill ups which I find annoying and frustrating. Why does a car of this size have such a small tank?

Again I mention the technology, because I find it distracting. I did a lot of driving this week, several hundred miles and I was totally refreshed at the end, and I recognize that is an important factor to me, to be able to exit the car and not feel my back screaming from the worn out seats in my old VW. The autonomous driving feature makes long drives a breeze and kinda fun, but any new VW also has most of the same tech to aide my long drives. Are the vw's built as well? No, but I don't spend too much time worrying if I'll survive a crash based on the type of car I drive. Its a secondary consideration to me.

I'm a wagon guy through and through. Love them and have been driving them for about 25 years. They are the sweet spot for me between a sedan, and a suv. I HATE suvs with a passion, and have always felt wagons were a better idea with similar carrying capacity and lower center of gravity, and handling not to mention better gas mileage.

So as blasphemous as this is, I just feel this car is not the ideal wagon for me.

Your opinion actually is familiar because when people moved from the XC70 to the V90 or were possibly looking they said the same thing. Eventually much of them came around because there aren't that many wagon choices out there. I prefer the Cross Country models myself, to me they nail the ride and handling thing.

 

What do you think you'll be getting to replace it? Not a lot of wagons out there.

 

Are they starting to bring A6 wagons to US? That would surely be a very fine wagon.

 

OK, please don't all go apoplectic on me, but I'm considering the Tiguan, for its 75CF of carrying capacity, 6 speed manumatic shifter, and analog controls with actual knobs and dials. I know I'm comparing apples to oranges, but I've driving the Tiguan and it has the sporty feel I'm looking for even though its down on HP by 132. Its a more engaging drivers with the way the transmission is tuned.

 

No apoplexy here, lol. You know what they say in the used car biz, "there's a butt for every seat!"

I drove a Taos earlier this year and would have loved that over the car we got but it wasn't my choice.

 

POST MORE SPEC’S

simple request ,
Where you go and How you go is still your ultimate decision

 

Hates SUVs with a passion = wants a Tiguan!!!

 

To each their own I guess.. I don't get it really but idk maybe they see something in it. 🤷‍

 

Original poster here; I came from a 2008 VW passat wagon, Luxury. 6 speed automatic with paddle shifters. That wagon was physically smaller than the V90, yet had 65 CF of capacity to the v90s 60 CF. So that in and of itself is a step backwards. I like to pick up furniture and garage sale finds on the side of the road, so the v90 is at a disadvantage on that score.

It does slope more than previous Volvo wagons, no doubt but I never found it to be an issue. How are you getting those numbers? The numbers I have seen say that the V90 has more capacity when the seats are folded down.

Its a bigger heavier car with 2 extra gears, and no paddle shifters to engage with. Is it in a different category alltogether? Absolutely, the two cars are not comparable in any way except that they are wagons....BUT the VW had a more engaging driving experience that allowed you to interact with the car more. With the v90 I never know what gear I'm in because the car is so smooth and its intent is to isolate you from the road. Also the paddle shifters in the VW allowed engine braking and gear holding that the v90 can't match, even when you flip the gear shifter into the manual mode. The transmission programming in the vw was overtly sporty.

If you want paddle shifters you have to go with an R Design. That's just how Volvo does it. I do agree though that downshifting doesn't really seem to slow you down a whole lot but that could be by design to keep the rotors clear.

Again I mention the technology, because I find it distracting. I did a lot of driving this week, several hundred miles and I was totally refreshed at the end, and I recognize that is an important factor to me, to be able to exit the car and not feel my back screaming from the worn out seats in my old VW. The autonomous driving feature makes long drives a breeze and kinda fun, but any new VW also has most of the same tech to aide my long drives. Are the vw's built as well? No, but I don't spend too much time worrying if I'll survive a crash based on the type of car I drive. Its a secondary consideration to me.

If you are comparing some of the premium brands, I find Volvo to be pretty conservative with their tech. In fact some people on here complain sometimes that there isn't enough options compared to Audi's virtual cockpit for example. I never found any of it to be distracting in my experience but I know some people have a different opinion.

OK, please don't all go apoplectic on me, but I'm considering the Tiguan, for its 75CF of carrying capacity, 6 speed manumatic shifter, and analog controls with actual knobs and dials. I know I'm comparing apples to oranges, but I've driving the Tiguan and it has the sporty feel I'm looking for even though its down on HP by 132. Its a more engaging drivers with the way the transmission is tuned.

Why not just keep your Passat or get another one. It's a better car imo. I would tell you to also look at the Mercedes-Benz E Class wagon possibly but they aren't the sportiest drives in the world sometimes. They do however make fantastic muscle cars. I would also say the Dodge Magnum SRT8 because it's badass but idk if it will have the cargo you need.

For those who do like that muscle car feel though the AMG's and some of the MOPAR vehicles are a lot of fun.

 

Here is Carfax Report: Click Here For Carfax

Last reported mileage: 59,475 miles.

Window sticker attached.

I Hope this helps OP sell vehicle.

 

I had a 2010 Passat sedan and a 2020 s90 t6, definitely not comparable vehicles other than mine were both black sedans. That said, I can see where the OP is having an issue. The 90 series is pretty focused on comfort, even in the r-design, as there is no sport tuned suspension or a sport chassis option. The 60 series would be a more engaging vehicle, but vastly smaller cargo space. I’ve known plenty of people who went from a Passat wagon to a Tiguan because they felt it was the only way to upgrade in the VW portfolio. I honestly don’t think any of them looked at anything else, which is really a shame as the Tiguan isn’t really anything special. I find the materials in the Tiguan sub-par and the seats are absolutely terrible, only the SEL has seats that are tolerable at best. Maybe the new one will be better?? We can only hope. Lastly, I suggest you look into a Mazda as they are near premium, similar to old VWs, and relatively sporty. My friend’s dad was a 3x Passat wagon owner then swapped over to Mazda CX-5 and has not looked back since.