Parents are thinking about trading the X5 in for a new SUV... Currently they have a 2001 BMW X5 3.0 with a 5-speed. It's a great car, though it has been in for service a lot for silly little problems. But on the whole it never had a true issue or problem - just reliable transportation with a fun 5-speed to boot.

Anyhow, the car is really picking up miles at this point and my mom wants something new. The X5 is also showing the wear (I learned to drive stick on it, MA winters, lots of stop and go traffic, MA pothole-laden roads). Mom's thinking automatic now, just tired of shifting gears. So she's looking at the BMW x5 4.4i and the Volvo XC90 V8.

I know this is a BMW forum, so I'm sure most of you will be pro-X5, but I'd like to see why.

My personal preference lies with neither, since they are SUVs, but I guess if I had to choose I'd pick the Volvo, since I'm a Volvo enthusiast and also think it looks a little bit better.

BMW X5 4.4, 315 hp, 6 spd, probably about 50k. 0-60 in 7.1 (C&D). A little less space on the inside than the Volvo, but smaller on the outside and my mom's used to driving it.

http://www.caranddriver.com/assets/image/322004154850.jpg
Decent looking, but don't like the nostrils up front... they're larger than the ones on our 2001.

The Volvo V8 has I think 311hp and 325 lb/ft of torque or so. Price optioned nicely would probably be 45-50k. 6 spd auto. 0-60 in 7.0 (C&D). A little more interior space, but a little more size externally too, and mom may not like that.

http://www.show-info.nl/_upload/autorai2003/docs/XC90.jpg
Think this looks good.

Thanks!

I like the Volvo. How much bigger on the outside is the Volvo compared to the X5?

I think she should try something new. Has she driven the XC90 yet? I've heard it's a nice ride.

I personally don't like the looks of the Volvo. I've heard the X5 is much better in quality as well. I heard the XC90 looks very cheaply made in the inside. I may be wrong though, I've never been inside one myself.

Looks to me like it is trying to be an X5.

Interior Pic:

http://www.ieg.ee/volvo/volvo_xc90/pildid/sisu2.jpg

http://www.volvocars.us/Showroom/XC90/Gallery/Interior/

We own a 2003 2.5T XC90, the interior is of high fit and finish, the navigation system is much, much easier to use, however i would rather have aluminum trim than the wood/ plastic that is standard, also the steering wheel with wood is thinner and has anatomical (read finger mold) grips. sound system is amazing.
the balance between ride and handling is amazing, there is no way i feel like i can flip or roll that thing, plus there won't be any turbo lag at all with the new v8. Keep in mind that the v8 comes with the new haldex awd, and torque preloader, better traction for those MA winters.

Wow, I didn't know the interior of the XC90 was that nice. Just some advice, Volvo parts are very very expensive. I got into 2 wrecks(not my fault) before my Volvo 850 GLT was totalled.

Luckily, even though we didn't have to pay for it, I was surprised by the costs of the parts.

The X5 and XC90 are both very good choices. The XC90 offers more cargo room and has more seating than the X5; however, the X5 handles and performs better and also has slightly better reliability than the XC90. Both vehicles are very safe. The X5 was rated "the safest SUV ever tested" by the IIHS. In case it matters, the X5 offers optional rear side airbags while the XC90 does not.

In the end, I think your mom would be happy with either vehicle. Personally, I would go with the X5 because of aesthetics and performance unless 3rd row seating is a high priority.

Another thing you may want to keep in mind: Mercedes will release their new ML within the next year. Perhaps you should hold off and check the Merc out before you buy.

I'd go with the Volvo. The X5 isn't a true SUV, and plus, I don't like the new facelift on the X5.

The Volvo prob. has an AWD system superior to the X5's, and alot more cargo room, and on top of it, the Volvo is prob. safer.

I'm sure your mom will be happy with either one of them. :)

I'd go with the Volvo. The X5 isn't a true SUV, and plus, I don't like the new facelift on the X5.

The Volvo prob. has an AWD system superior to the X5's, and alot more cargo room, and on top of it, the Volvo is prob. safer.

I'm sure your mom will be happy with either one of them. :)

How is the XC90 any more a "true SUV" than the X5? Both are car based platforms... Also, I'm not sure why you consider the Volvo AWD system superior to X-Drive.

As far as safety is concerned, I would say that both are equally safe. Volvo gets a lot of media attention for engineering safe cars, but Mercedes and BMW have also long been innovators of cutting edge safety. Volvo just does a better job of marketting.

Bottom line, unless you need a 3rd row, the X5 offers better performance than the XC90.

http://www.bmwworld.com/safety/x5iihs_splash.jpg

If I'm not mistaken, the 3rd row seating is an option in the XC90. Also, the Volvo has window curtain airbags in all three rows.

News Flash: neither one of these has real off-road capability. If buyers want that they go for either a Range/Land Rover or something US made (aka built on truck platforms).

People buy Volvo/BMW/Mercedes SUV's because they want very light truck capability in a very high luxury automobile. I don't think I've ever heard someone say "while I was off roading I really loved my heated seats and wood grain".

The two are equal cars and it all comes down to personal opinion. So with that, IMO the Volvo is trying it's best to look like the X5 (with more plastic and buttons) on the inside :D

Yah, News Flash: Volvo has side airbags on all three rows, they were the first in the industry to offer this, The xc90 does have offroad capability, especially with the new v8...http://www.swedespeed.com/news/publish/Volvo_News/article_410.html

Also, volvo has been leading automotive safety with mercedes scince the begining, volvo pioneered the seatbelt, side impact protection, windshield wipers( if you think about it this is a passive safety feature), the new BLIS system, and in the truck division, they are working on a system to alert the driver, if he falls asleep or veers off the road or something like that.

<br>On the XC90, the frame was made so that in the event of a crash with a smaller vehicle, the XC90 would still activate alll the other cars' safety features, by activating such features as crumple zones and airbags. Also, the XC90 was the first suv to have a roll over protection system, using gyroscopic sensors to brake wheels or lower engine power to prevent a roll over, the selling point for us, was a video and first hand experice from our dealer, where at the dealer orientation session, they drove the xc90 to 60mph and turned the car 90 degrees,( or it was the wheel full lock, either way, we'll choose the lesser for arguments sake) and the suv did not roll, now name me another suv that can go 90 degree turn at high speed and not roll?
<br>
However, Mercedes definately has the market for safe cars, but volvo brings up a close second.

[QUOTE=Du411y]Yah, News Flash: Volvo has side airbags on all three rows, they were the first in the industry to offer this, The xc90 does have offroad capability, especially with the new v8...http://www.swedespeed.com/news/publish/Volvo_News/article_410.html


Well other winners are the X5, Jeep, ML430 and Lincoln Nav...Volvo has one for the last 3 years but the last time this was done the X5 wasn't there and GM didn't provide any competition to the run. Also, the BMW X5 won both best SUV and luxury SUV 2001 and 2002.

Again the Volvo is a nice competitor for the X5.

http://nwapa.org/mudfest/#Anchor-Model-Year-47383
http://www.volvoxc.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-5100.html
http://www.off-road.com/events/nwapa/2004mudfest/

Yah, News Flash: Volvo has side airbags on all three rows, they were the first in the industry to offer this.

News Flash: No, actually Volvo does not offer side airbags on all three rows. Side curtain airbags are provided for head protection on all three rows, but only the front seats offer side thorax airbags. BMW and Mercedes offers both head and thorax airbags on its second row whereas Volvo only protects the head.

The xc90 does have offroad capability, especially with the new v8...

Luxury SUVs will never have the same offroad capability of a true truck based, locking differential SUV. That said, the X5 with its updated X-Drive system is just as capable as Volvo's AWD system offroad.

Also, volvo has been leading automotive safety with mercedes scince the begining,

As has BMW. For example, BMW was first to introduce head protection airbags in 1997, 2 years before Volvo or Mercedes.

On the XC90, the frame was made so that in the event of a crash with a smaller vehicle, the XC90 would still activate alll the other cars' safety features, by activating such features as crumple zones and airbags.

Mercedes was first to introduce this feature in its ML in 1997.

Also, the XC90 was the first suv to have a roll over protection system, using gyroscopic sensors to brake wheels or lower engine power to prevent a roll over, the selling point for us, was a video and first hand experice from our dealer, where at the dealer orientation session, they drove the xc90 to 60mph and turned the car 90 degrees,( or it was the wheel full lock, either way, we'll choose the lesser for arguments sake) and the suv did not roll, now name me another suv that can go 90 degree turn at high speed and not roll?

True the XC90 is currently has the most advanced roll stability control system... It's also one of the newest luxury SUVs to market. However, the stability control systems used on the X5 and ML also help to prevent rollovers.

However, Mercedes definately has the market for safe cars, but volvo brings up a close second.

And BMW brings up a close thrid for safety innovation and bests Volvo in the IIHS crash tests. In this case in particular, the X5 is just as safe, if not safer than the XC90.

I don't think you can get a new X5 4.4i or a V8 Volvo XC90 nicely optioned for 45-50K can you?
I think they would be $50K+

Maybe it depends on the options?

Edit: The X5 4.4i new starts at almost $54K without any options
The Volvo V8 starts at about 45K but the options add up quick. Fully optioned, the Volvo is almost 10K cheaper than the X5 fully optioned ($55K versus $64K). The X5 has more options though.

Even so, unless you need the 3rd row seat, the X5 would probbly be more fun to drive. And if you could get a lightly used one it would be even more competitively priced.

XC90 is not built in the US. :D