Advantages: Most stylish 4X4, hugely roomy, very comfortable, good value for money
Disadvantages: Expensive second hand, needs bigger engine, may not fit your garage

...I am very much aware that my wife is by a long way NOT alone in being a fan of this particular car. A good couple of years after its launch Volvo still have a healthy waiting list for them. That means two things; 1) Volvo actually under-priced this car when they launched it and; 2) that of all the 4X4's on the market the XC90 makes by far the most sound financial sense, its' residual (second hand) value is second to none. Volvo were undoubtedly surprised by the runaway success of their very first entry into the proper 4x4, or as the Americans would call it SUV, Sport Utility Vehicle, market. Sure, they had dabbled with four wheel drive versions of the V70 Estate, but this was a totally new departure for this ultra conservative Swedish firm. However with Fords financing and marketing know how, Volvo have powered from strength to strength... Read review

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Advantages: Spaciousness. Comfort. Value compared to competitors.
Disadvantages: Fuel Economy. Delivery times.

...Model T6 SE Initially ordered this car in 9/02 and was quoted 2/03 delivery. Car eventually arrived in June. Apparently USA had priority. Arrived missing XC pack. All amicably dealt with by dealers Riders of Plymouth who were and are superb. This is a very big car for UK roads. We decided on the T6 as we felt that the diesel would not be powerful enough for our hilly roads. This was subsequently proved to be the case when we later tested a diesel. The D5 is too slow and underpowered, avoid it unless all your driving is in town or on motorway. The T6 is fairly quick once on the move but acceleration from rest is not exactly neck snapping. Roadholding and handling are very good but steering can be too light at speed. Get the optional speed sensitive PAS. Comfort and space are excellent. Front seats lack a little in lateral support... Read review

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Advantages: Power, build quality, comfort, equipment, maintenance costs
Disadvantages: Image, fuel economy

..., but you still get air con, alloys, remote central locking, and a tape/radio/CD player combined that automatically turns itself up and down according to engine speed. However, many other types like the CD will also give you leather seats, and cruise control. I have found the estate dimensions excellent - however, ther is more room in a focus estate. It has served us well though, transporting buggies, luggage, bulky DIY items etc with no problems. There is a downside to the car in two main areas - economy and image. I have found the car returns between 20 - 30 mpg, this is obviously bertter on long journeys than in town traffic. The image, also whilst improving is still only average. Whilst most people see Volvo as a quality brand, it is also seen as a bit of an old mans car. The XC90 and S60 are however doing wonders to change this image... Read review

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Advantages: Performance, Comfort ,Value for Money
Disadvantages: Insurance a bit pricey

...This our second V70R. The previous was reviewed by me when I was Fastmover(see above) This car is a 2004 model in Flash Green Metallic purchased from Riders of Plymouth in Feb.2004. Negotiated a very good deal when trading in my XC90T6SE Reliability has so far not been an issue. Safety is as you would expect from Volvo ,excellent. The car is very spacious inside seating 5 adults with ease. Comfort is assured and seats are even better than in my old V70R,great support when pressing on. Ergonomics are brilliant and the looks of the inside of car are very cool. The handling of this car is well, awesome! Adaptive chassis is stunning. Comfort mode is comfortable but very good road holding, Sport mode is firmer but still smooth. Advanced setting is phenomenal, car just grips and goes. Geartronic shift is quick and smooth. The brakes... Read review

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Advantages: Fast. Comfortable seats. Low wind noise. Good colour choice available.
Disadvantages: Very small. Very cramped. Very expensive. Many expensive options

..., there is a 100mph maximum speed limit on the circular track for non-professional drivers anyway. This is however the ideal place at which to assess a large number of cars on a huge diversity of road surfaces, corners and severe gradients that you would have to drive many thousands of miles to find under ordinary, every day, driving conditions. It was fairly late on in the day when we took out the Volvo V50 T5 to try, having already driven their XC90 and S60 models, both of which I have already reviewed - very favourably! In June 2004 the, then, brand new S40 and V50 took up most of the stand space at Volvo, hence only one S60 and S80 being on display. As this was another model being launched to fleets here, it seemed a shame not to take the opportunity of trying it. In terms of cost, if not size, it is fairly closely comparable to my... Read review

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Advantages: None, I`m doing too many of these!
Disadvantages: I`m doing too many of these!

..., just ask my boss. 9. What/Who inspires you? The sunshine inspires me. Can`t beat a sunny morning to start the day. An inspiring person to me is a “doer”. Too many analysts, do-gooders and gobshites in the world for me at the moment. 10. What's your middle name? Nothing officially ;) 11. Beach, City or Country? Country of course. There`s gotta be summit wrong with folk that actually like noise, or those who “prefer” a load of sand in their arse-crack … or somewhere personal. 12. Summer or Winter? Summer = BBQs and Beer outside. I think I need to say no more. 13. Buttered, Plain, Salted, Sweet Popcorn? Pass!! 14. Pets? Yep, two Boxer dogs. 15. Favourite Car? Has to be the new Volvo XC90 http://sc2.vcc.m.volvocars.se/bilder/pp/xc90/main/w220039b.jpgYes, I could have said Ferrari, Bentley but let`s face it, I ain`t ever gonna own one... Read review

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Advantages: Unique driving experience. Superbly comfortable for passengers.
Disadvantages: Only for the wealthy!

...However you view huge 4x4 or 'off-road' cars, personally I am withholding judgement at this stage; there is no denying that the Land Rover badge and indeed range offers the very pinnacle in off road technology. Of them all, undoubtedly the Range Rover has always been 'king of the hill' in more ways than one! Until very recently I had never driven an off-reader, and then like the proverbial number 9 bus several of them all come along at once. This was actually very useful, as to drive them all back to back, on the same day over exactly the same roads you are able to make direct comparisons, impossible to do under any other circumstances. The first was VW's Touareg, you may already have read my review on that, the second was the phenomenally popular Volvo XC90, which I will review shortly, and then this, the range topping, Range Rover 4... Read review

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Advantages: You have something informative to read
Disadvantages: We all end up doing this challege ! lol

...Ok peeps, it's challenge time ! This one is set by KeyboardKowboy Drop me a lil message in my GB if ou do this challenge and I will pop by and rate ;-) 1: Nicknames other people have given you? There are so many - some of them are not very PC. "Osama" is a popular one, but I know it's in good humour ;-) (This does not mean I expect messages in my GB for Osama !!!). 2. If you could only ever play one computer or console game what would it be? The only thing I have ever really been hooked on was Sonic the Hedgehog (this is now an ancient game, but I love it none the less). 3. Your favourite Type of Car if money was no object. Hmm, so many choices....I would flip a coin and decide between the Jeep Grand Cherokee or a Volvo XC90. 4. Do you believe in magic? Of course, how else to my figures at work balance ?!?!?! 5. A Curry... Read review

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Advantages: Looking for a reliable family car?
Disadvantages: At my age, the image

...I learnt to drive in my dads volvo 440 and continued to use the car until aged 21. Since then I have had my own 'medium sized' car. Therefore looking back I now appreciate the good and bad points of the Volvo. The advantages for me were the smoothness and stability under braking matched with the invaluable experience of accelerating through 5 gears. The disadvantages were the 'old mans' image and that the vehicle was too big/heavy to manoeuvre for a first time car. My resulting opinion is that a 440 Volvo which can now only be brought second hand would make an ideal purchase for a family looking for long lasting reliability, comfort and safety. There is ample space in front, back and boot. Features including electric windows, central locking and standard Volvo suspension make it a comfortable ride. For the driver, power steering... Read review

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Advantages: Swift, Well Made, Indestructable
Disadvantages: depreciation, service costs

...The Volvo V70 estate was brought into the market by Volvo to replace its ageing 850 range. The 1997-2000 V70's boast several exterior improvements over the 850 including reshaped front and side lights, and body coloured bumpers and door handles. We bought our 1999 V70 for about £13,000, though expect to pay up to 5 grand more if you decide to buy through a dealer or specialist. The car is a 2.5L Turbo Diesel, and was our first diesel car. We were surprised at the acceleration of the car, and even though it sounds like a van when your in traffic, it has a nice 'howl' when you put the pedal to the metal. Official Volvo stats record the V70 TD getting to 60 in around 8.5 seconds. The car does a little under 40mpg on the motorway, and a little under 35mph when accelerating heavily in towns or in traffic. There is also a lack of the huge... Read review

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