I think you'll need Momentum plus and Convenience package at the very least. The PA and ACC is a must have feature for long drives. M+ really improve the look of the car.

Show her all the crash videos on Volvo. The safety feature alone will sell the car. But have her look at them in person. They are gorgeous!

 

+1

 

Have her try the 3rd row. It's the best among the "non - boat" SUVs

 

I love the XC90 but unless you want to count the Ford Explorer as a boat or you have a different idea of the term best, I think this might be debatable.

If it's about style, or lifestyle then defer to your wife. She's the one driving it. Let's say you talk her into the XC90. Yeah, it's much nicer than the Lexus ... but every time something goes wrong it's your fault for insisting on the Volvo. Happy wife, happy life.

Definitely do this. Show her and let her decide and stick by that.

 

The RX350 is based on the Toyota K Platform with the 2GR-FXS v6 engine. Just like the Toyota Highlander. It drives exactly like the Highlander. If it's about money you can make a compelling argument that a fully loaded Highlander makes a value proposition compared to the similar Lexus.

If it's about style, or lifestyle then defer to your wife. She's the one driving it. Let's say you talk her into the XC90. Yeah, it's much nicer than the Lexus ... but every time something goes wrong it's your fault for insisting on the Volvo. Happy wife, happy life.

 

The RX350 is based on the Toyota K Platform with the 2GR-FXS v6 engine. Just like the Toyota Highlander. It drives exactly like the Highlander. If it's about money you can make a compelling argument that a fully loaded Highlander makes a value proposition compared to the similar Lexus.

Exactly the same platform that Toyota has been using since 2000:

The driving experience is garbage, as you could expect from a 16 year old bland sedan.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_K_platform

 

If it's for her why not let her decide after seeing and test driving both? In the meantime, you could show her some Alex on Autos youtube videos where he compares both.

 

I will amplify this. A test drive is everything here. A lot of people coming from smaller SUVs are intimidated by the size of the Volvo. It takes driving one to understand how much smaller the XC90 drives.

I also echo the sentiments of the "happy wife, happy life" poster above. If she takes a drive and still prefers the RX, get the RX. It will be her car after all. But you will tilt things more toward the Volvo with a test drive.

My wife drove an RH400h for 6 years. When it came time to switch, she really wanted the new RX. It took one test drive of each vehicle to kill the RX. The RX is a dog performance-wise, had far less interior room (well, ok, that was going to be obvious from the get-go), had a suspension that completely disconnected you from the road, and was actually harder to park.

 

Have you sat in them or done test drives? If so, and the XC90 seats and cabin features didn't wow her right off the bat, then you might have a hard sell. The XC90 is bigger than the RX - probably closer to the Pilot in size, if you need the space. Even so, handling is better than I expected for larger SUV.

 

XC90 is great, you can bring your wife on this forum. There are a number of lady drivers who just love this car and can give some perspective.

One of my personal favourite videos, you both can watch it

and as someone mentioned crash videos, this car tops the crash test ratings for safety :thumbup:

 

Tell her that you will do the dishes for a month if she gives in and let you get the XC90. Barring that, up the ante, dishes and bathroom for 3 months.

 

My opinion, take the RX350, not because it is any better, but because there is much less risk of being in the shop multiple times with it. If your wife wasn't involved I would say xc90, but if you are trying to convince her and then end up in the shop a bunch of times, I think you are going to end up regretting the decision.

This all being said of course without me knowing anything about your wife, this is just basing it on a typical husband and wife scenario.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

My opinion, take the RX350, not because it is any better, but because there is much less risk of being in the shop multiple times with it. If your wife wasn't involved I would say xc90, but if you are trying to convince her and then end up in the shop a bunch of times, I think you are going to end up regretting the decision.

This all being said of course without me knowing anything about your wife, this is just basing it on a typical husband and wife scenario.

You and others are totally correct. I must let it be "her" decision in the end, otherwise she'll hold it over my head in perpetuity (I know this from experience LOL!)

As others have said, let her drive both. But make sure the RX350 is first and the XC90 is last so that the XC90 experience is freshest in her mind when she decides.

That sounds like a good strategy. In the meantime I want to educate myself on the strengths and features of the XC vs the RX when we go on test drives. She doesn't like car shopping or test drives, that's another challenge.

I came from an all-Toyota family. When replacing my 4Runner, I test drove the RX350 and RX460h. They are both nice cars. Compared to the 2016 XC90, though, the Lexus felt mostly "blah" in terms of interior. The XC90 was plush on the other hand, and the ride and drive were both firm and very comfortable. I was not impressed with leather seats in the Lexus - at least the ones we test drove. Finally, the safety features and the Volvo dealer sold us on the XC90. The Lexus dealer never mentioned safety once and mostly promoted "status". Also, in terms of model, color and features, the Lexus dealer said the RX460h's could not be special ordered, and a PHEV was not in their vision. Not sure about the Rx350.

From a more objective point of view, I wanted car-like SUV with the cargo space similar to my 4Runner. I did not need the third row, but it coul be handy once in a while. The Lexus never came close in terms of cargo space. (The LX470 was not an option as it uses a truck chassis to the best of my knowledge.)

Anyway, although I am biased towards the XC90, your wife really can't go wrong either way once she knows what she wants. Just pick a dealer, sales person and service center with whom you are both comfortable - assuming that you have a choice.

The plug in hybrid platform itself is a huge selling point. We have solar panels and hence plenty of 'free' electricity available. And we live in California, there are some rebates available and the T8 may end up being a good value although at first glance it's expensive. Food for thought!

 

If it is for her, let her decide. Take her a test drive of xc90, if she still insists RX350, then forget about XC90, as mot_xc90 said, Happy wife, happy life.

 

My wife was looking for a new ride in 2013. Since she only had driven Hondas, Chryslers so forth and so on... I told her she really needed to move up to a little more car and should test-drive and compare what she would like. The first "base" test ride I had her try was a new Volvo XC. She drove them all. BMWs, Merced, Acuras...everything. She really liked the pleasantness of the ride and service plans with the RX350. We found a beautiful Champaign model with unique mahogany interior and loaded. As the papers were being prepared, she stopped the process and asked the dealer to please give her one more hour to decide. We went across the street and she bought a new XC platinum. She absolutely loved it. It handled better, everything made sense and she just plain loved it. She has since bought a new model XC60 and I bought a new XC90. She comments regularly how you see RX350s on every corner and how it was nice, but just...blah, and how she's glad she got the Volvos. The new Volvos are more tech advanced than the older designed RXs.

 

As others have said, let her drive both. But make sure the RX350 is first and the XC90 is last so that the XC90 experience is freshest in her mind when she decides.

 

I've never driven the RX. As a passenger, I felt it was a little floaty but I'm use to the (some would say harsh) ride of Volvos (except the air suspension of course). The ride is really different to my wife and I. Volvos feel more sure footed than other front wheel drive based vehicle. Not as dynamic as a BMW but better in the wet and slippery stuff. If it's for her, I'd let her make the decision, I really don't think you can go wrong with either.

Good luck and enjoy!

 

Before I settled on the XC90 I was looking at the two-row luxury SUV segment. The Lexus was towards the bottom of my list. First, it's overpriced. It's not a bad vehicle by any means but you're buying brand name, resale value and reliability.

I think their new generation is somewhat of a failure. First, the exterior design comes off as ostentatious to a lot of people. The Nissan Murano of the luxury brands. Second, their interior feels so dated. It's so similar to their old generation. Tons of buttons and that tacky analog clock. I would have her sit in the RX350 then the XC90.

I actually preferred the Lincoln MKX to the Lexus. Nicer vehicle all around, plus you can pick up a used one with 1,000 miles on it for about $20k below MSRP.

 

I came from an all-Toyota family. When replacing my 4Runner, I test drove the RX350 and RX460h. They are both nice cars. Compared to the 2016 XC90, though, the Lexus felt mostly "blah" in terms of interior. The XC90 was plush on the other hand, and the ride and drive were both firm and very comfortable. I was not impressed with leather seats in the Lexus - at least the ones we test drove. Finally, the safety features and the Volvo dealer sold us on the XC90. The Lexus dealer never mentioned safety once and mostly promoted "status". Also, in terms of model, color and features, the Lexus dealer said the RX460h's could not be special ordered, and a PHEV was not in their vision. Not sure about the Rx350.

From a more objective point of view, I wanted car-like SUV with the cargo space similar to my 4Runner. I did not need the third row, but it coul be handy once in a while. The Lexus never came close in terms of cargo space. (The LX470 was not an option as it uses a truck chassis to the best of my knowledge.)

Anyway, although I am biased towards the XC90, your wife really can't go wrong either way once she knows what she wants. Just pick a dealer, sales person and service center with whom you are both comfortable - assuming that you have a choice.

 

I came from an all-Toyota family.

We have been an all (or nearly all) extended Toyota family for decades (parents, siblings, wife, self). Dependability is great, and they certainly aren't bad cars in any respect. I looked closely at the Highlander Hybrid and didn't like it. Looked at the new Tacoma (we have had a Toyota pickup constantly since the late 1970's), and I just couldn't get excited. "Upgraded" JBL stereo was horrible, and it is difficult/impossible to upgrade stereos in modern cars.

Looked at the RX350 and frankly HATED the look. Fake aggressive and just terrifically fugly front end. I just could not see myself driving it. And again, even the upgraded stereo was terrible. The Volvo was just so much better, inside and out. In the end, for me, only the XC90 and Q7 were in the same league (visceral dislike of BMWs-- mostly because of BMW drivers-- Jaguar was too small and bad visibility, and Range Rover too expensive/unreliable).

Agreed-- you have to look closely at both. I never bothered to drive the Lexus, because I knew after looking at it closely that it wasn't for me.

 

But the RX350 is so hideous!!

 

Have her sit in an Inscription and the rest is history!

 

Many times it is just the color that turns a lady back.
So go take a look at passion red R-Design, and pictures, if red is her color.

 

Play this on repeat at the house. : )

 

It is interesting how Lexus sells most of it's cars in the US. Other than the US market, Lexus might be considered a failure. True for Acura and Infiniti too. In fact, I would say Acura and Infiniti might as well close-up if it weren't for the US. I guess the US market has it own eccentricities, like every other market. Not meaning to make a value judgment on Japanese luxury brands, just making an observation.

 

I am pretty sure in most other countries lexus is more expensive than the other luxury brands, because of import taxes. Lexus does great in the US because of the value you get compared to the other luxury brands.

 

There's no way Hyundai is more reliable than Honda or Toyota. Clearly, this study is off.

 

Well I question CR reliability surveys that put Toyota/Lexus at the top too. Toyota/Lexus owners are vested in the idea that they have the most reliable brand, therefore they tend to "forget" some problems when they do their surveys. And CR has been criticised for the way they word their questions. I'm sure Toyota/Lexus is a very reliable brand, but so is Volvo. I own/have owned 5 Volvos, and I'm thrilled with their reliability. In fact it seems to me, in general, that cars are the most reliable product there is in the US these days

In Europe people see Lexus, Acura and Infiniti the way they are: Toyota, Honda and Nissan with a "fancy" skin. Car culture in North America is mostly non existent, just a way to transport you from A to B. And therefore a "flashy" Honda, with a 15 year old engine, has a market.

:thumbup:

 

I have a feeling that list was created by Mercedes employees...They knew better than to put themselves number one, but they put themselves way ahead of their direct competition.

 

Well, that just seems gratuitously insulting, so best to just let it go.

 

Sorry it you found it offensive, it was not my intention

 

Back to the ro0t of the matter;

As for reliability, the Germans don't agree that Toyota/Lexus is the most reliable brand. They rate Volvo higher.

http://www.jdpower.com/press-releases/jd-power-2016-germany-vehicle-dependability-study-vds

 

Seems like the RX350 has gotten smaller in size, the sloping back is more pronounced. Personally, I think it looks terrible. The XC90 has so much more class and elegance in design. But then design is a very personal thing.