Brilliant review Wigwam. No car is perfect and the best reviews acknowledge that and highlight both the strengths and the weaknesses, as you have done. We are having a test drive in the T5 Recharge next week (hopefully an Inscription Pro, but not certain) and we are having a second test drive in an X1 tomorrow, as we want to spend a few hours in the Sport seats (the one we had in the week had standard seats).
I was wondering if you are comparing the Volvo against your current X1 or the face-lifted one? We thought that the pre facelift interior of the X1 was quite low rent by BMW standards but has been much improved with the facelift. Im surprised that you found the Sat Nav better in the Volvo. As you will know, BMW increased the size of the standard iDrive screen with the facelift. From what I’ve seen of the Volvo mapping on reviews, I didn’t think it looked anywhere near as good as the BMW mapping, but I will reserve judgement until we drive it. Frankly, anything will be better than the VW system we have now! The front interior of the X1 certainly feels more compact than our Tiguan, so I’m not surprised to hear that it’s the same versus the Volvo.
Having watched and read several reviews of the XC40 and the T5 Recharge in particular, it’s interesting that several of your findings are the complete opposite to the reviewers. Like you, I would get an Inscription Pro, but the reviews consistently say that the suspension setup is far better on the R-Design models. The XC40 is said to roll more than its peers in bends, so maybe it’s to do with that? Those having seat comfort issues in the XC40 seem to be those with the Inscription Pro. Those with R-Design models don’t seem to have the same problem. Reviewers found the Volvo touchscreen too complicated to use when on the move (too much info to read safely and no iDrive equivalent). Also, all the T5 Recharge reviews say that the brakes are poor and make stopping distances very difficult to judge. Maybe Volvo has addressed this after all the negative feedback on it. I stress I haven’t driven one, so these aren’t my views, but hopefully we will get an Inscription Pro next week as my fear is that with with an R-Design it would be like comparing an M-Sport X1 with an xLine version.