Hi All!

We are looking to purchase a 2011 Volvo XC90. Our first Volvo! Yippee!

We are looking at two vehicles - one R-design (sapphire black) and one Standard (ember black). Both I6. I prefer the sapphire, but I am not sure the r-design is worth the premium price (approx. +$5000). What do you think? What are the advantages of the r-design? Please help me decide. Any suggestions or comments? Thanks. j.

 

Check out: http://www.volvocars.com/us/all-cars...a-8da888cb1ad1

The big difference - hopefully where the $5k is anyway - should be in the handling. The R-design has a different suspension setup (stiffer sway bars and firmer "sport tuned suspension") which should give it a harder/sportier feel - less roll and may likely be a stiffer feeling on the road. Other perk for us is the speed sensitive steering which feels great at all speeds - extra assist at slow speeds, great around town and in parking lots especially with much heavier and direct feel on highway. Overall I've been thoroughly impressed with the R design steering; believe it or not much better than a Cayenne or Cayenne S.

The other plus is if you expect to two or carry much cargo regularly, the R is the only model that comes with Nivomat self leveling rear suspension standard - not even an option on the other two (standard 3.2L or V8 - which is a nice surprise actually).

Have you driven each to compare? Then of course there's the visual stuff that distinguishes them apart.

I'd be curious to get your thoughts on differences in road feel between the two. We opted for the AWD R-Design and love it. We never had a chance to compare to a standard 3.2L AWD as there were no 2010 models to try out at the time. Our only hands on and test drive came from a friend's 2004 2.5T and a 2008 3.2L at the dealer before we ordered ours.

 

I am in the same boat as well. I have been lurking recently, as I am looking to hopefully purchase an XC90. Although I prefer the R Design and would opt for the package, I am not thrilled with the 6- versus the 8-cylinder engines.

As a result, I am also considering a used V8 Sport, which seems to be the R Design with the V8.

 

The other day I had the pleasure of parking next to a "negative" of our XC90R - it was a 2009 R Design V8 in black on black. Ours is white on calcite and they looked stunning next to each other. . I would have liked to take a pic side by side but it was getting dark, otherwise I would post here. Since it was V8 it had the 20" wheels standard, other than that they visually looked similar. Sharp.

 

I just put a deposit on a Passion Red R-Design for my wife.

When compared to a V8, I actually prefer the R-Design. The V8 does have a little more kick, but not that significant in a 4700 lb car.

The suspension, wheels, external body work (minor), leather, dials, and sterring wheel are similar to other luxury brands' sport packages, which I usually purchase. The suspension alone, IMHO, tightened up the XC90 so that it felt significantly better on the road. As a result, for me, it is a no-brainer if you are thinking about the 6 cylinder.

 

Congratulations!!! I actually wanted a PR instead of Ice, but since it was my wife's turn to order a car she preferred IW. Surprising since for her first new car (V40) she wanted a red and at the time I didn't...

You'll enjoy it. On my way to work I occasionally see a PR R Design and it does look great. Also good to hear the suspension is noticeably different between regular and R. We never really had opportunity to compare them and we ordered our R "blind". I do have to say it handles very well and felt fantastic out on the Nürburgring's Nordscheilfe. It was terrible weather when we got out and was awesome way of feeling AWD dynamically propelling us through some of the turns (a few drifts thanks to super wet and cold track). Was actually great fun since it lowered the driving limits and good way to feel the car - the XC90R is easy to provide smooth inputs and truly enjoy. Despite its weight it was very composed throughout. The dynamic steering is excellent and makes car feel nimble. Only thing that intrigues me is the sway - wonder how much more there is in standard suspension - the R Design has a bit more than I would have expected wanted but can only imagine the standard is even more.

Surprisingly compared to a Cayenne it feels far more responsive than a Cayenne. Whenever I go into a Cayenne I'm always disappointed at how numb and imprecise the steering feels - especially when coming off my Boxster. Never have that feeling going into XC90R.

Enjoy!

 

Out of curiosity, the headlights on the R-design look different than the base models. Is this just projector halogens?

I did not take a look at the headlights of R-designs that I test drove, and I cannot figure out why pics online of the R-design headlights are any different.

 

I have a 2011 R-design and just parking it next to a 3.2 the wheels alone make it look better. I am not to crazy about the blue face on the gages but its ok. As for V-8 over V-8... I drove both and its not that big of a difference. My vote is for the R-design

 

I have never driven the R XC90 so I can not comment on it. However, we love our V8 powered XC. I found the steering very tight when compared to our Z71 Tahoe and Mini-van. Infact my only complaint about the Tahoe was the steering was very soft. Even the Grand Caravan had tighter steering.

Either way I do not think you can go wrong. We like our Volvo so much that I am considering getting a second.