I have owned 3 Volvos and one Lexus. Both are very good cars. My 2007 S80 is an awesome car. No problems what so ever. I passed it to my daughter when
I bought the 2013 XC 60 T 6. Volvos reliability has gone way up. I believe it is in the top10 now.

 

P.S. my alternative option is a 2011 Lexus RX350

I used to drive Lexus (GS300 - two generations, and ES300 - one generation) before switching to Volvo. I looked again at Lexus recently but now find them utterly boring. I have had two Volvo's, an XC90 followed by XC60, and have been very happy. Reliability is good, and I enjoy the feeling of a Volvo.

You definitely want a 2011.5 XC60 or newer to get the revised Sensus technology. I would look for an RD XC60. Consider a 2012 RD XC60 if possible. The acceleration in the '12 RD is great and the ride is firm.

 

Agree. I test drove a 2014 RX and it was a dog, slow n sloppy. F Sport not any better. Looks wise 2014 XC60 T6/RD platinum hands down best looking in it's class. I also considered 2014 X3 M Sport. XC60 RD was very similar in drive feel as the BMW. the X3 just looked too dated to me and the dealer barely negotiated a fair price. The Volvo came in at a GREAT price n the buying experience was hassle free. Mine was even a sight unseen buy

 

The reliability won't match a Lexus, typically, but...our R design is 3 years old and has had zero issues.

Keep in mind that most if not all 2011's still have the 5 year/75K mile "safe and sound" warranty that transfers to the new owner, so a 3 year old model still has about 2 years of bumper to bumper coverage (including wear items) as well as service. A lexus is out of bumper to bumper coverage at 4 years. (powertrain is six, I think).

Lexus requires a lot of service to maintain warranty specs, and they charge well for it. So, figure two 7500 mile service visits covered on the Volvo that won't be on a similar age Lexus. That's maybe $500 there, more depending on the mileage. Certain higher mile fluid changes could double that.

Volvo Safe and Sound's coverage of wear items like brakes means that you may save a $800 brake service charge, as well.

My parents had a RX350, and it was a total pig on the road. Frighteningly sloppy on the highway in traffic. Not sure how the newer models are in comparison, but it's probably not fun to drive. They retain value well which means you pay more for a similar age/mileage vehicle.

I'm no power freak but the 3.2 is just adequate. It won't pass well and you won't get a thrill driving it. These are fairly heavy vehicles, so it will labor some. The T6 is an excellent smooth inline engine with plenty of power (300hp/325 lb ft torque in regular T6 form). Of course they are rarer and cost more.

Slap an IPD antisway bar on it ($300ish) and you'd have a BMW X3 competitor with a T6.

Look for a complete service history at Volvo to make sure it's had everything done on schedule. If you can't get that don't buy it. Compare prices at various sources like autotrader and ebay to figure out what they're selling for. Used prices are depressed this time of year somewhat but that means if you have a trade in it is also.

There are a few recall/computer flash things we've had done at service visits but that shouldn't be a problem. Look for a garaged car. Check out the paint in good light, not in the evening when they all look great. Do a car fax report and try to find a southern vehicle where salt wasn't used. They do bring them up to dealers in the north from the south for this reason.

2011 had early and late production, where the latter ones had the Sensus screen. I have the older version and wish I'd gone with that instead. Not a big deal, but it looks out of date. But if comparing them pay less for the older system. Also, the base stereo is mediocre and they are not easy to upgrade (so rare) aftermarket, so an example with the upgraded stereo/tech stuff might be worth looking for.

We were going to change to a performance sedan (5 series, Chevy SS, etc) at the 3 year mark but the XC60 R design with a few simple mods is so good a handler and so close to being sedan-like with SUV utility that we've decided to wait. Too good a car to trade in.

Rear wheel spacers and a sway bar really make it handle like the S60 T5.

 

We test drove a 2013 RX350... I've driven them before and they are nice cars. Comfortable, spacious and luxurious. We actually preferred the RX interior room to the XC60. BUT there is no joy to be found driving an RX. It just gets you from A to B in luxury. It doesn't handle confidently in the corners and just overall boring. Also very expensive if you tech it out. Hence the XC60T6 was purchased.

As above, a 2011 will have the 5/60k SS warranty so that is a huge plus. If you can swing it, get the T6 as it's much more enjoyable. No one ever complained about having too much power. Then slap on the IPD rear sway bar for $300 and you'll have a fun SUV to drive around.

 

Thanks everyone for the useful tips and sharing your experience.
I have a difficulty to find a 2011 model - the choices are very limited in my area and most of them are without Nav/rear cam package I want. Any special concerns about getting a 2010 model instead?
Thanks!

 

I have a 2010 T6 that I bought 2 years ago (used), and am very happy with it. I got the vehicle I've always wanted. The best thing about getting a 2011 is the extra ponies, 300 Vs 281, if you opt for a T6. When I bought mine, there was very limited availability (even in my area) for any used XC60's. I found one with low miles & good price, and pounced on it. I was only looking for 3.2 FWD, this one happened to be a T6, and needless to say - very fun to drive. I don't have Nav/rear cam, IMHO, are overrated options. I don't think you'll find a 2010 with 18K miles on it, like I did, but 2010's seem plentiful right now.

 

Proud new Volvo owner here; my first was an 84' 240 GL. My wife and I purchased our 2011 XC60 T6 last weekend. As has already been said, used XC60 inventory is incredibly limited, at least on the west coast and especially for certified vehicles. We got lucky, but many of the Bay Area dealers we could be waiting for weeks or months for something we wanted to show up. We were looking for an SUV with better ground clearance than than our old Subaru outback and short of an Xterra or Wrangler, at 9.1" the XC60 is about as good as it gets. We were between this and a grand cherokee and there was no comparison in terms of handling, seat comfort (obviously), and overall quality of the cabin. Also drove both the 3.2 and the T6. The 3.2 has enough power to get the job done, but the T6 will rip when you open it up and leave you with a big grin. I was also very pleasantly surprised how well the T6 corned on the backroads when driven hard. For me, the transmission was much smoother when matched with the T6. Shifting in the 3.2 at lower speeds was bit jerky, not something I noticed on the T6. Has anyone else noticed this?

So, I would suggest going with a T6 if you want something surprisingly fun for an SUV. If used it probably won't cost much more anyway.

 

^ +1 on the T-6 or RDesign version. Always a smile ear to ear and I find myself taking the longer way home ;0)

 

No concerns, but the 2011.5 year model is when the new Sensus interface was introduced...much more modern. You can tell at a glance as the older style has the additional LCD on top of the dash.

 

The T6 may be one of the best production engines currently being sold, period. It never gets out of breath; it is not known for getting excessively hot and coking oil or burning oil. MPG is consistent with how hard you drive it.

Also, I've not heard anything about carbon buildup on the intake valves due to the direct injection configuration. This is very common on some manufacturers' DI engines, because no fuel (with its detergent additives) washes the intake valves and they can carbon up. I have read a lot about this problem, which some car companies have few if any problems due to design characteristics. Volvo cars don't seem to have any of these problems.

 

Also, I've not heard anything about carbon buildup on the intake valves due to the direct injection configuration. This is very common on some manufacturers' DI engines, because no fuel (with its detergent additives) washes the intake valves and they can carbon up.

I'm 99.9% certain the T6 motor is NOT DI.
The only Volvo DI motors in the US market are the brand new 2015 model year Drive-E four cylinder engines.

 

2010's have 281 HP with 295 LB-FT of Torque, with twin turbos, not exactly a slouch by any means. I do agree that BLIS, rear view cams, and Nav's are very overrated options. Especially given the horrid reviews on Volvo's Nav system, you may as well just get a cheap Garmin. I wonder how much better the Premium Sound System is compared to the High Performance, from what I've read on here, not much!

 

2010's have 281 HP with 295 LB-FT of Torque, with twin turbos, not exactly a slouch by any means.

It is a twin-scroll turbo, not twin turbo.

Only the early year XC90 and P2 S80 T6 had twin turbos. The EUCD platform T6 is a twin scroll turbo.

And we drove a 2009 XC70 T6 back to back with the 2011 XC70 T6 that we bought and there is a BIG difference, honestly it felt like a lot more than just 19HP...

 

My experience: high failure rate of A/C compressor!
http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread.php?211082-Use-refurbished-A-C-compressor-for-failure-replacement-under-warranty