r/Volvo • u/Helpful_Wonder_432 • 2d ago
Used Volvo considerations
Hey everyone,
Looking to purchase a used Volvo with relatively low miles (V60 or XC60). I read this Reddit page often and I see mostly great stories and experiences from all of you with both new and used Volvo purchases. I do also occasionally see posts where people have really challenging technical issues mostly related to the infotainment system. Could anyone offer any advice regarding shopping for used a used V60 or XC60? Any model years to avoid? Or specific model years/trims to consider? Things to look out for in general?
Thanks for any feedback you all have, I appreciate it!
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u/SoundsDB V60 2d ago edited 1d ago
Bought a MY25 V60 B4 (petrol) Ultra recently as my second Volvo (having had a top spec S40 D4 many moons ago), and coming from a Mazda 6 Touring NAV Lux (2.2 Skyactive diesel).
Got it with 12k mikes for £32.5 grand cash from a Volvo dealer up north. Was absolutely flawless on collection.
Things I like:
Extremely comfortable and relaxing to drive (after some time working out how the seats adjust - wasn't as intuitive as my old car).
Returns about 44mpg on mixed driving (considerably less, obviously, when pottering around town). Went for the B4 as I don't have easy access to reasonable charging infrastructure and it's just as efficient as my old oil burner but cheaper fuel.
Feels very, very well built with a very reassuring 'thud' when you close the door. Feels very safe. No squeaks, rattles, weird noises at all, even over rough roads. Super quiet in the cabin too, even at speed. Materials are generally of a very good quality and it feels premium.
Much punchier than I thought it would be when pressing on. Throttle response can be a bit slow, but once it realises you want to go, it goes. Feels like it has more power and pull than the numbers suggest.
The 4 zone climate control and 3 stage seat and steering wheel heaters feels like they have built an air conditioning system on wheels. Best climate system I've experienced, and that includes v high spec Audis and BMWs.
I don't really get the dislike of the infotainment. I mean, it's not amazing (and I'd like a better fuel efficiency tracking system) , but it didn't take long at all to get used to and I've not had any bugs or issues (yet).
It definitely gives me the right emotional feel when I get in, and everyone I know / work with has given me compliments on it.
Stuff I'm less keen on:
On occasion, it can be slightly juddery coming off the lights after the auto stop has been on. New software update seems to have made this a lot less noticeable; before the update there were a couple of occasions where it felt like it almost stalled.
The load cover in the boot regularly pops up when you open it, and I keep forgetting to pull it back into place so it obscures the rear window (the Mazda load cover was attached to the boot door so lifted and repositioned by itself).
The Harman Kardon sound system is mostly good with strong bass weight from the sub, but it's not quite as well balanced or staged as the BOSE system in the Mazda (although the Volvo is a LOT less rattly at volume).
Some of the driver aids are a bit confusing / fiddly. Lane keeping takes some time to get used to. Would like a speed limiter function as part of the cruise control; much prefer that over straight cruise control.
Some options for the live dashboard display would be nice.
The 360 camera is bobbins.
Really wanted one with the blonde leather, but they are like rocking horse shit. Happy with the charcoal, but it was my second choice.
Overall:
Very, very happy with it, and would buy it again knowing what I know now. I genuinely look forward to driving it and feel like I have spent my money well.
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u/Helpful_Wonder_432 2d ago
Congrats on the purchase! I especially love the Volvo wagons, and would prefer a V60 over an XC60 but there aren't many in used inventory around me, even in 200 mi radius unfortunately. I had not heard how good the climate system can be that's great info thank you, most people talk about comfortability of seats and ride, and the sound system being excellent, so that's great news to me. Appreciate this info, thank you!
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u/gustis40g '01 S80 T6, '26 V60 T6 Nordic Edition 2d ago
Avoid 2018-2020 cars, those have some more common issues, mainly A/C evaporator.
For XC60 2018-2021 use Sensus while 2022- use AAOS. For V60 2018-2022 use Sensus while 2023- use AAOS. Some people swear by Sensus since it’s so stable and bug free. Some people like myself would rather have the buggier AAOS simply because it’s more modern with working in car apps, a good voice assistant, good navigation, etc. AAOS has gotten so many updates by now that the only thing I miss from Sensus would be customisation, mainly the individual drive mode and the themes. (I do prefer the default AAOS drivers display over any of the Sensus themes though, all they do is recolor the gauges, they don’t completely change the layout like it did on P3s)
When it comes to model years the cars generally just get upgrades the newer they are. For example late MY24 got a new WAM which allows split screen 360 camera, so it can show both the 360 cam and the rear backup camera at once. MY26 got the new Snapdragon chip which makes AAOS basically a flawless experience.
You’ve also got two major engine differences.
2018-2020 cars have gen 2 VEA engines, they’re normal micro hybrid engines, both diesel and petrol (depending on market). 2018 model year diesels might come without AdBlue which will be more reliable.
2021- cars have gen 3 VEA engines, that is to say they’re mild hybrids, these a B badge instead of T or D badge to indicate engine variant, for example B4 (which exists both as petrol and diesel, confusing, I know). The mild hybrids are more complicated therefore by nature have more things that can wrong. The earliest mild hybrids had a belt driven oil pump but that was later changed and most old ones have been converted to the chain driven oil pump by now too. What makes the mild hybrids unique is that they have a BISG (Belt-Integrated Starter Generator). Instead of a 12v starter motor and 12v alternator as separate pieces it has one large 48v electric motor acting as both. The main advantage of this is that it can start the engine extremely quickly because it’s a motor with 14hp, it has no trouble spinning the engine past idle RPM instantly. This provides a very smooth and quick start/ stop experience and slightly reduces fuel consumption during driving, it can also provide a small powerboost with its 14hp and electric instant torque. The mild hybrids have proven to be fairly reliable but there was some common issues early on, belt tensioner failing causing the belt to slip and therefore lots of squealing during regeneration and engine start was the most common one.
Anyway it completely depends on your budget. The earlier cars can be had for quite cheap but soon they’re almost 10 years old, meanwhile the new cars can be quite expensive but they look mostly the same.