I had a fun afternoon test driving three cars!
Car #1: Volvo XC60 3.2 AWD: This was the most expensive of the three.....but they are offering 0% financing while the 2010s last! This is the first model year. The one I drove had all the bells and whistles: heated leather seats, moonroof, bluetooth, navigation system, outlets. You could live in it if you had to. City Safety system stops you automatically if you get too close to something in front. All the safety features you could possibly want. Airbags all over the place. Neat feature is a light that blinks when someone is coming from behind into your blind spot. Very comfortable, including the back. There is an optional manual gearbox which I would consider using on twisty roads, but was probably overkill. It's an SUV (so Moemg probably wouldn't like it) and it's very, very solid. I felt invincible, but it was a bit like driving a bus. Fuel consumption is the least efficient of the three.
Car #2: Honda CRV EXL Navi. This one was the cheapest. I found it easier to manoeuvre than the Volvo. Similar bells and whistles to the Volvo, but also a little less solid. The high position gives a good view. Feels open inside because there is no column going down the middle of the floor. As a Honda owner, I found the controls intuitive. Generally very comfortable. Blind spot not a huge issue. Best fuel consumption of the three. I did not like the hard rear seats. Definitely would require cushioning for a long journey!
Car #3: Honda Accord Crosstour EXL Navi. I think I'm in love.....
Ahem....Priced in between the others. Looks cool, except that I'm not crazy about the front grille (too much testosterone). This car is a V6 with >250 HP and it has zip, yet it's very responsive. I felt right at home, except with more luxury than I'm used to: leather, wood trim, etc. It had everything the Volvo had except the City Safety. The front passenger airbag senses the weight of the person sitting in the seat and does not deploy if nobody's there. I drove a white car with beige interior and all the communication features and it made me feel very pampered. I also like it in green with black interior. Both Hondas have a rear view camera that switches on automatically when you go into reverse. This rear view camera has an extra feature, guidelines to show you which space your car will be in when you reverse. One thing I don't like is the horizontal bar across the outside of the rear window, which splits the pane in two. Excellent storage with removable, washable bin for your muddy boots, etc. All three cars have split rear seats and these were very comfortable. Both Hondas have good fuel consumption.
Financially, this is complicated because Volvo has 0% financing, while Honda's financing and lease rates are higher. The salesman told me they avoid incentives, and they also do not sell cars to rental agencies, preferring to sell to owners, so that resale values stay up.
I'm waiting for some personal developments to fall into place before I make a decision. But, like Moemg, I have done the research and I will be ready. Last time I bought a car I waited till I fell in love (with the 1995 Honda Accord). This time I think I may have fallen in love with the Accord Crosstour. Stay tuned!
