Plus B3 163 FWD Geartronic Auto MHEV Start/Stop 5dr

Nice car spoiled by reliability

I've had this car for 14 months and 14,000 miles. It is nice and relaxing to drive but (in common with many cross overs)has some significant blind spots. Mirrors are good but I think the Blind Spot Information System should be standard on a brand which prioritises safety, mine has it but the last time I checked it was no longer even an option on "plus" models.

Engine is very smooth and fast enough I get 40 mpg on a mix of rural and motorway driving but the gearbox is a bit slow witted. It is particularly poor when slowing to approach a roundabout and then accelerating once road is clear. There is a noticeable delay between putting your foot down and anything happening.

I have had some annoying reliability issues, in particular software reliability (it is constantly being updated over the air). To date I have had regular refusal to pair with my phone (turn car off and on to fix) the navigation fail (eventually restarted later in the day), aircon fail (turned out to be a software glitch) and most recently my active safety systems stop working. This was down to a failed sensor package which required an entire new windscreen be fitted. Credit to the dealer who had one in stock and fitted it quickly but if it had been out of warranty I suspect it would have been a fairly chunky bill given it is heated and has the sensors built in.

Interior is great and seats are fantastic. I really like the Volvo brand but the gearbox and the number of problems in the first year or so of ownership spoil the package.

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