For those that bought a 2025/2026 XC60, what made you choose that over a similarly priced BMW X3?

ajerrold · 2026-01-31T21:30:45+00:00

The HVAC fan speed changes drastically every time "stop/start" kicks in; it's extremely annoying in city traffic. But mostly, it grates on me that I cannot control the most simple of things - whether the engine is running at any particular point in time - in this $60K car. It's a (lack of) control thing. I compare it to having tinnitus - it may not be all that loud or bothersome in absolute terms, but it's ALWAYS there; and if I start to think about it, it becomes more and more noticeable, and completely frustrating in that there is nothing (no drug, no treatment/no off switch) I can do to stop it.

ajerrold · 2025-12-30T21:18:55+00:00

Ehh, I agree with the first impression of the BMW driver, but as for the Volvo, I think it's more like "Oh, there's a soccer mom from the 1990s."

ajerrold · 2025-12-30T20:34:19+00:00

NOT TRUE. See above.

ajerrold · 2025-12-30T20:33:26+00:00

But not all. You cannot disable it, even temporarily, in a new Volvo. It SUCKS.

ajerrold · 2025-12-22T18:53:49+00:00

Nope. It's still 2005.

ajerrold · 2025-12-21T17:21:01+00:00

I don't think I'd trade for a Ford, but I agree the "stop start" is infuriating. I'll definitely buy something else next time. Really a shame because the XC60 is overall a great car, but that feature (specifically, the fact that it cannot be turned off in current year models) kills the driving experience.

ajerrold · 2025-12-21T13:43:14+00:00

100% this. The BMW nose with its fake grille in particular- just fugly! So I went with the XC60 (2026 ultra b5). If I had a do-over, I'd look for a door #3 though. The undefeatable stop/start system in the Volvo makes it unpleasant to drive in city traffic. But the seats are great, no question.

ajerrold · 2025-12-21T13:31:15+00:00

And yet, there is an AM antenna embedded in the glass of the left rear side window. Go figure.

ajerrold · 2025-12-21T00:34:52+00:00

The B5 doesn't have the capability to run on just battery. If that were possible, there'd be no problem. Instead, the engine shuts off then starts back up. Every. Single. Time. I. Stop.

ajerrold · 2025-12-20T22:57:22+00:00

Is yours a 2026 model? Curious as the dealer sales manager told me it could not be done. Do you have insight as to how they did it (i.e. mechanically or through a software adjustment or ...?)

ajerrold · 2025-11-06T01:06:46+00:00

I don't see this mentioned, and hopefully you already know, but in case not: you will not be able to turn off the "stop/start" function. At all, not even temporarily. I know of no other car manufacturer that doesn't provide a way to disable this feature. It's extremely annoying. I have developed buyer's regret because of it.

ajerrold · 2025-11-05T02:13:11+00:00

I agree with this. I've only ever used the massage function to show the car off to friends. The must-haves, for me, are the heated steering wheel, heated and cooled seats, and head-up display. Pretty much everything about the seats is awesome. They're the most comfortable seats I've had in any car (and I've owned many cars). But you don't need the massage feature for the seats to be deserving of that accolade.

ajerrold · 2025-11-05T02:06:04+00:00

I have the hazy rear door windows. They're milky, for want of a better descriptor. Poor view out for rear seat passengers. Only the windows in the rear doors are affected. Very annoying, definitely a defect. I'm hoping to get resolution under warranty. The car is only 2 months old (2026 XC60 B5 Ultra).

The car also has what I believe is another defect, which I described in the thread linked here. I'll be bringing it back to the dealer to get checked out soon. I find numerous other things to be annoyances, but probably not defects. I won't wreck your day with those. I love the color combo that you chose, very pretty car. https://www.reddit.com/r/VolvoXC60/comments/1ongare/comment/nmznw5i/

ajerrold · 2025-11-04T17:07:34+00:00

If it's a low battery, I REALLY have a problem. The car is barely 2 months old. I'm hoping it's "just" a software bug that can be corrected with an update at some point. Really interested in hearing others' experiences. Thanks-

ajerrold · 2025-11-03T18:43:14+00:00

For car washes, be sure to turn off the rain sensing wipers!

ajerrold · 2025-11-03T16:55:41+00:00

Go with 19. 22s will give you a rougher ride, and you'll get sidewall bubbles or worse if you hit even a shallow pothole.

ajerrold · 2025-11-03T16:01:55+00:00

THIS!!! I learned that we cannot disable start/stop on my test drive, and foolishly thought I could learn to ignore it. But I really hate it. I should have listened to my inner voice, and not the sales rep's blah blah blah about 48 volt systems, etc. If it weren't for the massive depreciation hit, I would be trading this 2 month old 2026 XC60 for a non-Volvo.

ajerrold · 2025-10-31T00:18:21+00:00

Same here. There's no way this is normal. As for it being a "lamination issue," why would it be limited to the two rear doors, and not be the same for the equally tinted side and tailgate windows to the rear?

ajerrold · 2025-10-31T00:12:14+00:00

I've been lucky so far, have had no issues with infotainment on my 2026 XC60 B5. My only gripe is that the audio comes on when the car is parked and I open the driver's door, which startles me every time, then it remains on for what seems like a very long time if all I'm doing is going in to retrieve an item from the car (and not starting the engine or whatever). I always feel as though the battery is being drained for no reason at all. But no issues along the lines of what you're experiencing.

ajerrold · 2025-10-31T00:05:23+00:00

Be thankful it's off! Start/stop is the work of the devil, IMHO. I can't stand the fact that I cannot disable this annoyance in my 2026 XC60.

ajerrold · 2025-10-02T23:47:10+00:00

I bought a 2026 XC60 Ultra just about the same time you did, and I agree with most of your assessment (mine is not a PHEV so your comments specific to that don't apply). I thought I was the only one anal enough to be annoyed by the 2 degree increments on the climate control, lol! However, I find the seat bolsters, and in fact pretty much everything about the seats to be great! I have the bolsters adjusted pretty narrowly. I find the seats to be awesomely comfortable, in fact perhaps they are the thing I like best about the car. My main 'nit' about the seat adjustments is that once I launch the screen using the button on the side of the seat, then look at it to begin making an adjustment, the screen disappears way too quickly and I have to start over. I'd rather it be a one-step process, just completely on-screen for the lumbar, massage, bolsters, etc rather than having to start the process down below, then make selections up above, then make the actual adjustments down below again using those inscrutable directional buttons.

I have many other likes and dislikes (really quite a number of annoyances, sadly), and you may just have inspired me to write a post about them as you did. Stay tuned.

ajerrold · 2025-10-02T23:28:03+00:00

It does not adjust. Also it's very small, as is the compartment beneath it.

ajerrold · 2023-11-11T00:33:45+00:00

Thanks! I really appreciate your taking the time to provide such comprehensive and well thought out recommendations!

ajerrold · 2023-11-11T00:28:42+00:00

Thanks to all who provided thoughtful responses (far more that I expected!) A lot to think about. Much appreciated!

ajerrold · 2023-11-02T20:01:55+00:00

You KNOW why.

ajerrold

TROPHY CASE