Xc60 vs xc90 vs v60 towing caravan

[Munro83]

These 3 cars are in my shortlist for summer to replace the v70.
Has anyone gotten experience with all 3? I'm quite keen on knowing if there's a big difference between the xc60 and the xc90?

I know the xc60 is the newer/ fresher car but will the weight of the xc90 still make it a more secure towing vehicle? Playing with idea of a twin axle in next Summer.

I'm assuming the v60 will be similar to my v70?

Cars will be (roughly) 2010 xc60 /2011 v60 / 2010 xc90

[Tannaton]

I have a 2003 XC90 and 2016 (17MY) XC60. Both are great tow cars - I tow fairly often, usually a trailer with agricultural stuff or building materials in but sometimes a car trailer. To me it's clear the XC90 has the edge because:

- Higher towing weight limit - usually 2250 Kgs (XC60 depends on engine/transmission/drivetrain)
- Has Nivomat self leveling rear suspension which makes a big difference
- Heavier car, more stable

But progress will be slower and will be thirstier I think than XC60. My XC60 is FWD only and sometimes it's easy to overdo it when trying to set off quickly when towing, especially in the wet. Nothing bothers the XC90. If you ever tow across wet or muddy fields - AWD is worth it.

For anything up to about a ton, I just pick whichever takes my fancy, for loads heavier than that I prefer the XC90. I'm guessing that if it was a newer XC90 (i.e. 10 plate) with the 185/200 engine and six speed box - the preference would be stronger. Can't comment on the V60 as I've never towed with one.

If you look at the last two pics, they are taken just after I have loaded and about to set off. With big loads I prefer to make sure I have a decent (but sensible) nose weight for stability, you can see that the rear suspension is sitting a little lower than the front. Within a mile or so the Nivomats do their thing and the car sits level again...

If you do go for an XC60 - check carefully the towing weight limits, they vary with engine/transmission/drivetrain and for some reason in a recent model year they dropped the limit, only to raise it the following year.

[Munro83]

Interesting, wish I could have both.
How do you find economy between the 2 towing? Our caravan is about 1200kgs

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by Munro83

Interesting, wish I could have both.
How do you find economy between the 2 towing? Our caravan is about 1200kgs

Towing with the D4 (190) VEA engine FWD XC60 significantly affects the economy. Even with my smaller trailer with no load (Ifor Williams GD64 - 375Kg) it will drop by 4-5 mpg, maybe more.

It affects the XC90 also but not by as much - I towed the V50 in the 3rd picture from Edinburgh to Hull and got 29 MPG. That was mostly A1 but about 50 miles on A59/A64/A1079 etc. in rush hour. I was pleased with that.

I would avoid R-Design models with lower, stiffer suspension. I've never towed with one but I find some are "jiggly" on all but very smooth roads.

[Munro83]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

Towing with the D4 (190) VEA engine FWD XC60 significantly affects the economy. Even with my smaller trailer with no load (Ifor Williams GD64 - 375Kg) it will drop by 4-5 mpg, maybe more.

It affects the XC90 also but not by as much - I towed the V50 in the 3rd picture from Edinburgh to Hull and got 29 MPG. That was mostly A1 but about 50 miles on A59/A64/A1079 etc. in rush hour. I was pleased with that.

I would avoid R-Design models with lower, stiffer suspension. I've never towed with one but I find some are "jiggly" on all but very smooth roads.

Thanks
How do the 2 cars compare for everyday driving? What do you get from the xc90 mpg?

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by Munro83

Thanks
How do the 2 cars compare for everyday driving? What do you get from the xc90 mpg?

The XC60 is my company car and it's great - it's very comfortable, hassle free, well made, reliable etc. But I actually prefer driving the 14 year old XC90.... and this is what I tend to use at the weekends, leaving the all expenses paid XC60 at home. Don't get me wrong the XC60 is a very good vehicle and I wouldn't be upset if it was my only car, but I just prefer the armchair comfort and silky smoothness of its older, bigger brother.

MPG wise, sat at 75 on the motorway the XC60 returns about 42-43 MPG, the XC90 around 34 to 35. I would say though I think around a half of that gap will be the XC60 being FWD only. Drive them harder - over 80 MPH and the consumption increases significantly.

[IainMcL1970]

Just traded in an XC60 D5 for a V60 Cross Country D4 AWD.

Really enjoyed the XC60, but liking the Cross Country a tiny bit more.

Don't think any of the cars on your list will disappoint.

[Tannaton]

It is somewhat an assumption but I expect the XC60 and V60 CC are mechanically the same, what would make you choose between them is more of a car like experience of the CC or the extra ground clearance and interior space of the XC.

[IainMcL1970]

Yes the ride and handling of the CC are slightly better IMHO ... not much in it solo, though towing the difference is more noticeable.

[mordred1973]

our XC60 does a fine job of towing 1750KG of twin quite a few times a year, very stable and plenty of power (although we do have 230PS)