XC90 T8 Plus or Ultra - wheel size conundrum

[Hogster]

I'm looking at getting an XC90 T8 and have been looking at the Plus trim. I tested one at the weekend and it was lovely but a little bit crashy on poor road surfaces. I'm now wondering about looking at the Ultra to get the air suspension (and also the HUD, which I like so much on my V60), but I worry about the larger wheels & tyres being destroyed by potholes, and the ride just offsetting the benefits of the air suspension.

Am I right to be concerned about the 21s? I've only had small wheels (17s on my V60!) in the past so this is quite the jump for me!

Has anyone tried to order 20" or 19" wheels through their dealer as part of the new car order (even though the order is now placed through Volvo directly) so that they're fitted from the start? Do you think I could do some kind of deal to exchange for the 21s?

I know various people have posted about reducing from 22" to 20", but not so much the standard fit 21".

Also, is anyone living with the Plus and wish you'd gone with the Ultimate/Ultra in hindsight?

Thanks.

[rhd443]

Originally Posted by Hogster

I'm looking at getting an XC90 T8 and have been looking at the Plus trim. I tested one at the weekend and it was lovely but a little bit crashy on poor road surfaces. I'm now wondering about looking at the Ultra to get the air suspension (and also the HUD, which I like so much on my V60), but I worry about the larger wheels & tyres being destroyed by potholes, and the ride just offsetting the benefits of the air suspension.

Am I right to be concerned about the 21s? I've only had small wheels (17s on my V60!) in the past so this is quite the jump for me!

Has anyone tried to order 20" or 19" wheels through their dealer as part of the new car order (even though the order is now placed through Volvo directly) so that they're fitted from the start? Do you think I could do some kind of deal to exchange for the 21s?

I know various people have posted about reducing from 22" to 20", but not so much the standard fit 21".

Also, is anyone living with the Plus and wish you'd gone with the Ultimate/Ultra in hindsight?

Thanks.

Air ride probably keeps road noise down due to the different connections to the wheels, with decent quality tyres potholes shouldn't be an issue, only becomes an issue when you fit cheap brands and they blow out and bulge on hard impact.

You could always downsize later?

[Hogster]

Originally Posted by rhd443

Air ride probably keeps road noise down due to the different connections to the wheels, with decent quality tyres potholes shouldn't be an issue, only becomes an issue when you fit cheap brands and they blow out and bulge on hard impact.

You could always downsize later?

It's a good point about the tyre quality and road noise. I'll see if I can find one to test drive to compare.

[Tim Cullis]

I'm with you regarding wheel sizes. I've yet to see an XC90 being driven in such a way that low profile wheels are necessary for the firmer cornering. Most seem to be used as serene cruisers.

My MY23 XC90 Plus has the smaller 20-in wheels which was a 'plus' for me, and these 5-spoke 20-in wheels are standard on the Plus.

In the last few days I've been driving a MY24 Plus courtesy XC90 with 21-in rather than 20-in wheels and I really noticed the difference over uneven road surfaces.

As far as models go, it seems very few people order a Momentum/Core XC90. The Plus model adds the majority of the bells and whistles that most regard as 'essential' such as the panoramic sunroof and 360º camera.

[CocoPops]

My 2019 R-Design had 20" wheels and standard suspension, I think it rides better than my 2023 Ultimate on 21" with AirSuspension.

I also much prefer the ride when I switch to my 19" winter wheels and tyres.

BUT, I'd rather the higher spec car, with the associated larger wheels even if the ride is poorer I'm just that way inclined.

[Hogster]

Thanks to you both - that's really useful feedback.

[Murph7355]

I'm in the opposite camp to Cocopops.

I think our new Ultimate, 21" on air suspension, rides better than our 2016 D5 Momentum on 20"s.

I'd started to look for 19"s for similar reasons to you guys, but at the moment don't really see the need. I even quite like the way the 21"s look, which I didn't initially.

On top of the ride, it's also a *lot* quieter, and I think a good chunk of that is down to the suspension being less crashy.

(It was never a "problem" on the D5...but then we came from a D5 mk1 which was worse still ).

[CanaryYellow]

I've got a 21 B5P Inscription Pro, 21 inch wheels with air suspension.

I have no issues with the ride and, touch wood, I haven't had any issues with tyres.

[Volvocano]

Originally Posted by CocoPops

My 2019 R-Design had 20" wheels and standard suspension, I think it rides better than my 2023 Ultimate on 21" with AirSuspension.

I also much prefer the ride when I switch to my 19" winter wheels and tyres.

Wow, the later cars ride even worse? It amazes me how road test after road test calls the XC90 a comfortable car - the suspension is a crashy mess - terrible spring and damping decisions and bump/thump suppression is awful - but then the excessive stiffness could be to make it through the Elk test.

I have a 2018 T8 on 20 inch rims - the ride is awful. I've put All Terrain tyres on it now, the ride is so poor anyway, making it slightly worse for 60K tyre life is worth the compromise. It's not as if I'm spoiling a nice riding car - it's already bad.

[sandys]

Some times its just the tyre construction that makes the difference, I downsized from 22 to 20, the 22s had better ride comfort as I bought the wrong tyre on 20s which had a stiffer sidewall, on the plus side the Volvo handled much better.