Had a look at that jb and it came up with what we have looked at (mpv's and 4×4's).
We are going to look at one tomorrow and also a 807 to see if that one is still feels like a van in side.

I was wrong
4×4 drivers in London 4 times more likely to be non compliant with motoring laws
There's a big shiny silver jeep near why I live that had "4×4 scum" scratched into the side.
However if you live in the country side, fair do's

Docrobster – its because "that doesn't apply to them"

Yeah it's a downer if you need the 7 seats you are limited. My mate bought a kia something or the other and loves it.

You can get 3 car seats in the back of a Corolla Verso, and I can't believe thats more 'van like' than an XC90. Or any MPV really?? Ford S Max is good as well, even the Zafira.. I got a Verso as to be honest I couldn't find anything I wanted with more than 2 seats 😉

I know several people who've parted with their XC90s as the fuel costs were ridiculous – every 5mpg extra adds up over a few years.

I have a V50 and struggle to get 2 adults in the back when there's my son in his seat there as well, and being tall there's no room behind me or the missus either – so i can see the attraction of a 4×4 that allows you tp fit people in! I can vouch for Volvo build quality – mines got 111k on it still feels better than a few others I've owned did when new

I test drove a Zafira and it was like driving a boat, which was a real shame as the space in the back was great.

Just got rid of our zafira for an smax. huge boot. plenty room for 3 in the back, the 3 middle row seats slide/recline individually. 2 spare seats in the boot suitable for occasional use. looked at corrola verso was too small. Smax is very car like to drive-loads better than a touran I tested.
2l diesel does 45mpg. lots of toys. would heartily recommend it.
and I paid £7k less than list for brand new car off drive the deal.com! £800 less than an identical car (except dvd- which I didn't want) that was 1 yr old 14k on the clock

Unless of course you really [u]need[/i][/u] a 4×4 😀

brassneck – Member
You can get 3 car seats in the back of a Corolla Verso, and I can't believe thats more 'van like' than an XC90. Or any MPV really?? Ford S Max is good as well, even the Zafira.. I got a Verso as to be honest I couldn't find anything I wanted with more than 2 seats

We looked at the verso/scenic/zafira/c4 size and know that while they are ok now they wouldn't be biggenough in a few years as we are planing on 4 kids in total. The problem with the big mpv's is that by making them have lots of room they feel like a van to sit in (ie your sat on it rather than in) compared to the estate cars we have had up until now where as the 4×4's do as they are just higher up.

I know several people who've parted with their XC90s as the fuel costs were ridiculous – every 5mpg extra adds up over a few years.

Thats one of the reasons for looking at the 807 as it does do better mpg.

What about an Espace I've always really liked them when I've driven them in France.

The 807 really is just a big French van. Utterly hideous to look at and drive. But that's just my opinion. As an earlier poster mentioned above the SMax is not a bad option to look at. Drives very much more like a car than a truck, acres of space and not massively expensive. Servicing and parts will be cheaper than the Volvo (even though technically they are the same comnpany these days).

Had forgoten about the smax just had a look on autotrader and they may fit the bill will just have to go look at one.

joolsburger – Member
What about an Espace I've always really liked them when I've driven them in France.

We have a laguna 😉 and tried a espace it just wasn't as comffy plus its not any more reliable and harder to work on.

I have a friend with an 08 Galaxy who still pines for the t reg grand espace they had before it (top spec, captains chairs etc) which would be still going if they hadn't totalled it on a m/way roundabout in leeds. Mind you her hubby prefers the galaxy. They are in a similar boat to you- 4 girls aged 5-11 and a golden retriever. Their "small" car is a toyota verso. Both of them hate that.
We had the zafira from new in 03 and I wouldn't get another for several reasons- scary wiper clashing moments that leave you with no wipers on the motorway in the rain. Sticky ignition barrel had to be replaced as it was shorting out the starter motor- failed 2 days before due to drive to south of france. Chimps at the dealership. poor quality trim. Dull dull dull to drive. cheap to buy though.
Cheapest most practical option would be a vauxhall vasectomy if you ask me!

I've got an Espace, and was thinking of an XC90 as my next car. Espace is good in many respects, 5 NCAP points. Loads of space (mines a LWB) We take the two rear seats out for holidays and we use it as a changing room after surfing. The seats do weigh a ton, if you have a garage not really a problem, but I have onstreet parking (like me) and have to lug them up steps to my house. Wife wouldnt manage it:(
I have the 2.2 auto and average 30-31mpg, I do quite a bit of motorway driving and usually stick it on cruise at about 80-85. Over this it starts to plumet.
The Auto was a mistake, slow off the line resulting in some scary "sitting duck" situations pulling onto roundabouts or out of T junctions.

Bit late on this thread (dunno how I didn't see it originally) but I've been told the best tyres for an XC90 are Nokian WR's. Cheaper than the [cr*p] continentals they come with and they last for ages (I've done 17k on a two year old set and they've still got 7-8mm of tread left). Tricky to find but I got mine from MyTyres.com
As a car I think it's fantastic. Big, comfy, makes you feel safe and I get about 29-30mpg overall which ain't bad.
Downside is that in the last 12 months I've had to replace the steering rack, rear shocks, 1 x brake caliper and the brake disks have all been replaced at least once and it's a '52 plate and done 57,000.
If things go wrong it can be expensive – especially if it's related to the [superb] stereo.
Going to keep it as long as possible.

I want one of these. Anyone selling one? Must have black leather and prefer a manual.

Well, I found one!
Just picked it up from Stoke on Trent. It's a silver D5 163 Geartronic.
It has black heated leather and rear seat entertainment. Also has the running boards and premium sound. A real fantastic car. V happy!

You ought to have got the RR Sport, but welcome to ChaVille anyway…

Enjoy it, CHB. I've been running one from new for the past 4 yrs and we absolutely love it. Ours has been ultra reliable (I've done it now….). I bought mine because one of my jobs demands a 4×4 (at least one person owes their life to it) and we are a family of 6, so need the seats. It's absolutely perfact for a family, tough as old boots and very, very well thought out. Although there are much better 4x4s for proper mucky offroad stuff, mine coped admirably during this winters snow and got to areas that ordinary vehicles couldn't due to the "winter" button and ground clearance. The only downsides are the rough engine (compared to other manufacturers diesels) and appetite for front tyres no matter how carefully you drive. I would strongly recommend independant Volvo specialists rather than the dealers. Everyone I know loves theirs.
I once heard someone mutter something derogatory about 4x4s as they walked past in a car park last year. It really highlighted to me the ignorance that is sometimes attached to this blanket hatred of 4x4s. As a family we cycle everywhere, only use the car when we have to. I paid extra for a special catalytic thing on the front of the car (I think it was called "premair" or similar) that converts ground level ozone to oxygen (may be hype, but felt responsible to "do my bit"), it's diesel and the car is used for my work which involves a "lifesaving" element and access all weathers if that doesn't sound too dramatic. Enjoy it. Best car I've ever owned by a mile and I'd buy another without a moments hesitation.

Tinners, thanks for the comments. I have an audi 1.6FSI A2 for work use, that does 50mpg and is a brilliant car. The XC90 is the new family workhorse. It will do low milage and holidays. With the kids entering their teens, I find myself with never enough seats in the car. Now I don't have this problem. The MPG impressed me so far, 41mpg from Stoke on Trent to Sunny Leeds. Will do the servicing myself (have done for the last 5 years on my V40 and thats just done 160,000 miles). Working on Volvos is a joy as the parts are very high quality. My brothers Renault Scenic is tat in comparison to any Volvo.

[goes to fetch pipe and slippers and stroke the labrador]