XC60 T8 - MY21 or MY22?

[Saftlad]

We're close to pulling the trigger but I'm in a bit of a quandary.

Very tempted by a MY21 R-Design Pro with options that I want (and a couple I didn't consider), it has been pre-registered so I wouldn't be the first owner but that doesn't bother me. It would mean a bit of a journey to view the car and then again for pickup. I'd also be looking to try to get a good deal on a set of 20" wheels to replace the 22" that are on it now. Obviously, it would be available immediately.

Alternatively, my local dealer has done me a great quote on an Inscription Pro with the specific extras I'm after but would mean placing a factory order that wouldn't arrive until September or October.

The costs between the 2 are almost identical, so financially it's the toss of a coin.

What is the general consensus over the differences in the 2 model years? Am I better taking the MY21 with the fuel heater over the electric heater for example, or are the changes for 22 worth waiting for?

[WhatNext?]

MY21 will have the discontinued sensus

MY21 will have Android Automotive

For me, purely for that reason I will choose MY22

NB It will also be the facelifted version (very minor changes though)

NB 2 Advantage of Android Automotive is way superior mapping (Google Maps) and voice recognition

[Saftlad]

Hmmm yes I can see Android Automotive being great in a few years time, once they iron it out, and certainly the maps would be as current as possible so should be great. Not sure that this would be a deal-breaker for either case for me though. Is Sensus Connect that bad?

The options I want are Driver Assist (for ACC) and Lounge (for HK - I can't justify B&W) and 360 camera. Should I be considering anything else as a "should have"?

[EssexExile]

Originally Posted by Saftlad

Hmmm yes I can see Android Automotive being great in a few years time, once they iron it out, and certainly the maps would be as current as possible so should be great.

But can't the Android Auto be updated whereas the current Sensus is going no further?

[Saftlad]

Originally Posted by EssexExile

But can't the Android Auto be updated whereas the current Sensus is going no further?

There's a difference between Android Auto and Android Automotive (great naming structure there Google ), yes Automotive will get regular updates throughout it's life.

Let's face it, most car manufacturer's don't update the systems all that much, yet your phone probably has 3 or 4 updates a year. I'd see AAOS being much more like a phone for update regularity.

Anyway, back on topic. The general consensus seems to be to order a MY22 and wait 3-4 months for delivery by the looks of it.

Ta

[St Evelyn]

Don't know if you're an iPhone user, but last I heard Android Automotive didn't support Apple CarPlay, although (unsurprisingly) it does support Android Auto.

I use CarPlay a lot so this would likely be a deal breaker for me if I were in the market for a new car. Appreciate the point about it getting regular updates but the Polestar 2 has been out for around a year now, so it's clearly not top of the development backlog. Mind you, a cynical person might suggest that's intentional as they want to use this as a tool to encourage migration from iOS to Android..