2023 T5 recharge PHEV or 2024 B4 mild?

[jimmyb]

Hi, I'll hopefully be becoming a xc40 owner soon - but I have to make a choice first:

Do I choose a 2023 T5 recharge PHEV R-design (ex-demo with 9000 km, quite loaded up) for £36k, or a new B4 mild Ultimate (again quite loaded up) for £43k?

Where I am (in Europe; prices converted from euro) the waiting list for new cars is full for the foreseeable so I'm stuck with what's on stock.

2023 PHEV:
From what I can tell, R-design changed in 2023 to Core/Plus/Ultimate - so whilst car was first registered in early 2023, I think it might be a 2022 manufacture??
I'm concerned at Volvo discontinuing it - will its value plummet / parts become hard to get?
Have driven - was ok.
My lifestyle would suit PHEV (never had one though and not particularly excited by it)

2024 B4:
More or less suitable but has a few pricey options I could do without.
Is an Ultimate, not Ultra - is this old stock that has been sitting in a lot for a while? No discount has been applied; should I ask for some?
Haven't driven (not at the dealer's). Drove a B3; it was ok (but I'm concerned about ending up underpowered). Is B4 similar?

I'm likely to keep the car for 5-8 years.

If I wait to end of year / early 2025, will any discounts kick in?

What do you all think? Cheers

[JFDIT]

Do you really want to be selling a PHEV in 8 years when the battery is out of warranty? I reckon the B4 will be a better buy long term and Definitely not underpowered. Actually has quite a decent turn of speed for its type.

[Den48]

Hi
Very good point from Jfdit regards selling the car when the battery could be nearing the end of its warranty, I currently have a T4 phev and to get the best out of the car you need to regularly plug it in, I do most of the time and it’s ok for local journeys to the shops etc, I am currently averaging 63mpg. However in reality the electric only range , 24 miles max,is not good enough for a car at this price .

Previously I owned a B4 , good car with plenty of power I had no problems with it the only criticism I would give is the fuel consumption on short trips

[JFDIT]

Possibly you'll save a few quid using electric, that is until the Government decide to tax it as a car fuel. And that's not IF it's WHEN.

[gripross]

Not driven a PHEV personally and not on my radar to do any time soon...But have the B4 Ultimate at present and yes...its not great on MPG but its a heavy car ..but you wont be left wanting for power as they have more than enough. I had a B4 R Design previously and the only reason i changed to the Ultimate was that for the dealer called me to offer a loyalty discount if i upgraded and for the extra kit the extra payments were a no brainer

[jimmyb]

Thanks, everyone - I've ruled out the PHEV. Time to get negotiating on the B4...

[gripross]

good choice...haggle hard if you can but the days of being able to haggle for a deal seem a little distant..but always worth a try

[ChrisLF]

When you say from stock, is that from dealer stock or Volvo stock? In the UK the Ultimate is the earlier version of the Ultra so you maybe could get a discount if it is from dealer stock.

On the UK Volvo web-site we have a choice of lots of cars including 2025 Ultras which are only about a £1000 more than the Ultimate you mention.

Doesn't look like any good deals for us at the moment - when I bought mine I got a discount, Loyalty Bonus and 0% finance.