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Earlier in April, we reported on the most-searched-for Volvo models in South Africa. The Volvo XC40 and XC90 are the most favourites with locals.
In response to the article, this Wheels24 reader sent us some images of their brand-new Volvo XC90.
Mapholoba Letswalo hails from Nelspruit and says he bought the vehicle for his wife, Elizabeth Leswalo says: "I have been a Volvo fan for more than two to three decades. My first Volvo was a 2004 S40 model which I traded in for a 2008 S40. Since then I bought a 2010 XC90 and have faithfully kept both cars. In 2014, I traded in the S40 for a V40, and in late 2019, I bought my wife the XC90 2020 model-year.
"She's the lucky one to own the new 2020 model. So I currently own the V40 and two XC90 models."
Letswalo also explains what exactly he loves about the brand: "Volvo cars are one of the safest cars in the world. There have been incidents that if I were driving any other car, I would have been involved in an accident even if I tried to avoid it. But Volvo has always worked miracles for us."
Elizabeth Leswalo with her new Volvo XC90. Image: Mapholoba Letswalo
But what makes the XC90 so unique?
He says: "As for the XC90, both my wife and I travel a lot around the country due to church and work. We needed something that can give us some comfort and safety on the road.
"For this reason, we love standard features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Distance Alert, Lane Keeping Assist, Run-Off Road Mitigation/Protection, Driver Alert Control, Road Sign Information, Electronic Stability Control, and the Emergency Brake Light.
"All of these features makes us feel safer on the road."
Image: Mapholoba Letswalo
Would you buy another Volvo in the future?
"I love the Volvo brand", says Leswalo. "It has been my dream car since I've been in primary school when I used to read about it. Now, I have my own small fleet of Volvos."
Wheels24's Janine Van der Post says: "Having recently test-driven the large SUV, I can attest to the sentiments shared. I drove the diesel D5 Inscription model with a six-seater configuration. Pricing for this model is listed from R1 131 600. It might seem excessively tagged, but Volvo cars usually come loaded with standard goodies, and this model is no different, just like Letswalo mentioned with all its features. And what you see is what you get.
"We're a rugby-loving family, and as a rugby-wife field-side Saturdays are the norm, it also means driving all over the Western Cape to attend many matches. When there's a car like the XC90 in the driveway, it means we can take our folks along for the day. The third row of two seats is spacious and provides ample legroom even for adults.
Image: Volvo
"And, the diesel model ensures loads of mileage from the frugal tank to get to said destinations.
"When the seats are folded down, the boot space volume is increased significantly, and that makes the perfect playground for my little one when she takes along her bags of stuff to keep her entertained for the long day. I don't know if all toddlers are like this, but whenever we go somewhere, she hauls along her 'kitchen/cooking toys' in a cute duffel bag, another bag just for her art supplies which includes several books to write and draw in, stationary, and heaven knows what else. Oh yes, and her 'snack bag' for biscuits, fruits and juice in case she gets hungry. And that's just for a couple of hours.
"But that's why I love the six-seater configuration so much in the XC90. Since there are two seats in the second row, there's a lovely big space in between them, access to the rear is also open. This means the sprog has easy access to all her stuff, and I don't have to continually open and close the boot to get any of her supplies. It also creates a great space when she wants to have her lunch or snacks when we're parked next to the field."
