Topic: Preview: 2019 Volvo XC40

[Gurgie]

Volvo & Saab used to kinda occupy the same space, but now they're all alone. To me, Volvo should be right there with Audi & BMW... I still find Merc a notch above those 2 though. And I think that Lexus is right below Merc, but above BMW & Audi. Infinity is just a notch below Audi & BMW and then Acura is a notch below Infinity... that's how I see them still.

[tortoise]

Agreed with all of that.

The previous gen Volvos were a hair above Acura but I think the new models are moving them upscale.  Certainly that's the case with the XC90 and V90.  And the XC60 looks to be moving up too.

[Jaeger]

Realistically for 51 k$ TTC I'd rather just consider the ______ [whatever].

^^ that's my point.  At $51k, would you rather a loaded Sportage SX 2.0T for $10k less?  How about a loaded Forester XT also for $10k less?  Or any in that segment.

What, other than the name of "Volvo" would compel a would-be buyer to choose this over a comparable X1 for the same money or "lesser" vehicles (better equipped) for 20% less?

I don't see Kia or Subaru in the same category as Volvo. Volvo I would compare with Audi, BMW, Merc, Citroën DS, whereas the Kia or Subaru I'd compare with Hyundai, Mazda, Honda, Toyota. To me, a different level of refinement that you can't fix with leather and standard features. But that's just me I guess.

I see Volvo as more Acura / Infiniti than Mercedes / Audi.

I would agree, but I do think the gap between something like a top trim Kia and a premium brand isn't as wide as it would have been 20 years ago...further complicating it is the premium brands are selling some pretty low hanging fruit in an attempt to get people into the brand (CLA, etc).

I'd agree with placing Volvo as a "near luxury" brand occupying a middle ground between the mainstream and higher end brands. Although, you're right in saying the lines are getting blurred

Exactly.  They may wish to be viewed as a Mercedes competitor, but if wishes were horses, beggars would ride.  You don't get to point of being in the same conversation as the top marques just by declaring that you are "moving upscale".  Harder yet when you are doing so with nothing but 4-pots under the hood. 

[Fobroader]

Realistically for 51 k$ TTC I'd rather just consider the ______ [whatever].

^^ that's my point.  At $51k, would you rather a loaded Sportage SX 2.0T for $10k less?  How about a loaded Forester XT also for $10k less?  Or any in that segment.

What, other than the name of "Volvo" would compel a would-be buyer to choose this over a comparable X1 for the same money or "lesser" vehicles (better equipped) for 20% less?

I don't see Kia or Subaru in the same category as Volvo. Volvo I would compare with Audi, BMW, Merc, Citroën DS, whereas the Kia or Subaru I'd compare with Hyundai, Mazda, Honda, Toyota. To me, a different level of refinement that you can't fix with leather and standard features. But that's just me I guess.

I see Volvo as more Acura / Infiniti than Mercedes / Audi.

I would agree, but I do think the gap between something like a top trim Kia and a premium brand isn't as wide as it would have been 20 years ago...further complicating it is the premium brands are selling some pretty low hanging fruit in an attempt to get people into the brand (CLA, etc).

I'd agree with placing Volvo as a "near luxury" brand occupying a middle ground between the mainstream and higher end brands. Although, you're right in saying the lines are getting blurred

Exactly.  They may wish to be viewed as a Mercedes competitor, but if wishes were horses, beggars would ride.  You don't get to point of being in the same conversation as the top marques just by declaring that you are "moving upscale".  Harder yet when you are doing so with nothing but 4-pots under the hood.

Exactly, do not try to sell me a "luxury" vehicle with an economy car powerplant.

[dirtyjeffer]

...and now Mazda is attempting to poise itself in the "upmarket" area.

i think most "mainstream" brands (Mazda, Buick, Kia/Hyundai, Honda, etc) are all really doing their best work on top trim models to somewhat blur those lines.

[dirtyjeffer]

The previous gen Volvos were a hair above Acura but I think the new models are moving them upscale.  Certainly that's the case with the XC90 and V90.  And the XC60 looks to me moving up too.

i would somewhat agree, but i do see some areas of questionable premiumness in the XC40, which is likely expected if "premium" brands are bringing themselves down to the upper mainstream price bracket.

[SKYMTL]

Volvo isn't near-luxury these days.  They're right in line with the Audi, BMW and Mercedes brands these days. 

Take the XC60 for example.  Pricing it out with the R-Design and a few options aligns it perfectly price-wise with the Q5 S-Line and fully loaded (Exclusive + Premium Plus packages) GLC 300. 

Step up to the XC60 T8 and suddenly you're looking at a large ($5K+) premium over the GLC43 and SQ5.  Yikes. 

[Guy]

Pricing of the XC60 T8 is crazy. About $14K above a R with the same equipment. 

Subsidy brings that back to $12K after taxes..

[EV-Light]

...and now Mazda is attempting to poise itself in the "upmarket" area.

i think most "mainstream" brands (Mazda, Buick, Kia/Hyundai, Honda, etc) are all really doing their best work on top trim models to somewhat blur those lines.

Just look at Ford’s F150 prices...and keep in mind the Lariat crew cab 4x4 2.7Ecoboost is their bread and butter - $57k to start.