Hello folks - first post
I'm a Brit living in the promised-land, well Brussles... Currently driving a Volvo XC90 (which is really nice), but about to switch to an RX450h
Main driver for this is that they've just changed the company car tax laws here - a bit of a populist measure by the new government - and the benefit in kind for my Volvo shoots frol --m €2500 per year to €10500 per year!! As it's based on CO² emissions, well the Lexus just got far more attractive :)
So I test-drove the 450 at the weekend and was gobsmacked by it's refinement, consumption and well nice gadgets - from that perspective the Volvo is a bit out-of-date and somewhat agrivultural, still pretty smooth and comfortable though.
As I drive mostly in the city I can imagine getting half the consumption also - the Volvo's returning 13l/100kms, which isn't the best.
My only reservation, well the wife's is that it's a bit tight in the back for three little ones (2 x 8 years, 1 x 5), too small for vacations and only 5 seats. I figures that I'd swap the ISOfix seats for booster seats, that would solve the rear-seat issue. A trailer would solve the vacation issue. As for having 7 seats - I think we used them three times in the last year - so hardly important IMO, if necessary the wife can sit in the back with a kiddie on her lap.
So I'm very likely going to order today. They have a special offer here in Belgium right now, it's a end-of-line pending the face-lidt. It's called the Allure and it's €71k of car going for €60 - seems like a good deal and the face-lift doesn't bring that much AFAIK - the running lights and the new permanent EV mode under 31mph is all that really interests, and I'm hoping that the latter can be added to the older car via firmware upgrade (any ideas??).
I think the thing I will iss on the Volvo though is that parking heater - means the car is always 20° on those cold, frosty mornings, plus no ice-scraping....
Anybody else done a similar swap?
My, that was long for a first one :)
Cheers
Dave
