1. 3.3kW onboard charger. I know this topic has been covered numerous times but if we have to take another trip part way through the day (beyond the normal work commute) its not enough. I guess in some ways it ensures the gas in the engine doesn’t go bad and the engine gets some exercise.
2. Volvo app. Its VERY basic and also very glitchy. I wish i could schedule charging here. The other day it showed me some random charge level, then said “no information”. The next day the problem went away.
3. Brakes. Yes they have good power given the 4500lb curb weight, but they creak/groan more than I think they should when coming to a stop for a car that is clearly set up for road-use. I also find sometimes the transition from regen braking to the mechanical brakes to result in a “thunk” or rough transition between.
4. Cameras are too low resolution to be on a car from 2024, much less on a $70k car. This car replaced my wife’s 2015 Lexus CT and that car had better camera resolution, and horizontal lines which were really useful to line up the car properly.
5. Steering feel non-existant. Would give me a lot more confidence if i could tell what the front tires are doing but its just straight up numb.
6. Loss of hard switches/buttons. I don’t switch between drive modes often (probably because its too many menus to get to it), but the HVAC controls would be nice. Yes, I know i can use voice commands but adjusting fan level, where the fan comes from etc would be so much easier with dedicated controls. A/C unit is a bit finnicky with the auto fan speed too.
7. Tailgate kick sensor. After the last 3.1.9 update its very specific on what my foot does to open/close, seems to like lighter colour shoes, and i need to “flick” my foot in/out to make it work. It shouldn’t be that specific to get that tailgate to open.
8. Lack of apps on the central cluster. I get it, they’re trying to get away from phone mirroring, but then you should have apps on there that people use commonly – whatsapp, facebook messenger etc.
9. T/C adjustment/on/off toggle, and top speed limitation. I wish i would know when you were on a race track/not on a public road and allow you to disable the top speed limitation, or allow you to turn T/C off. But yeah, all about safety.
10. Long term reliability. This is a “future” problem, but i’ve seen enough videos on the electronic locks on Volvos failing with no mechanical override. This is the first car i have ever bought extended warranty on, thinking i’ll probably need it, and the electronic glitches I’ve seen so far don’t give me any consolation.
Things I love (and these things outweigh the 10 above…mostly HAHA):
1. the looks. Best looking practical car i’ve ever seen. Enough said.
2. the dual personality. Its smooth, cosseting, comfortable, and yet i can bully M3s on highway on ramps. Hybrid mode is quite smooth. Great on gas unless i’m in PS mode.
3. practicality. Ok so the back middle seat isn’t great, but pretty roomy overall and the trunk is awesome. I don’t miss the extra cubby holes to be honest.
4. Its not too big. Feels like a sedan. Nice packaging that way.
5. Pano roof. A lot of other pano roofs i’ve seen so far have a big bar in the middle and in the Volvo it just lets in so much light and makes the interior feel so light/airy and a nice place to be in.