Hertz - Volvo XC as a "Prestige" upgrade

I requested a Lincoln or a Cadillac as a one day rental last week from IAD. Arrived and my name was not on the board so I went into the Gold Counter. There I was given a Volvo XC as a "Prestige" upgrade. At first I chuckled. I love Volvo's, but a XC? I told the guy that he must have been kidding. It turns out that he was not. I asked if the had any Audi's to which he responded that most of the Audi's and all of the Jag's had been sent to California. What? Is a Volvo XC the best I'll ever be able to hope for from IAD? Why try for President's Club?

BTW, it turned out to be a nice car and had the worthless Neverlost (I travel with my Garmin Nuvi everywhere), but it was sill a Volvo XC. What part of that was prestigeous?

Was it the XC70 or XC90? I like the 90, though still a bit boring and slow in comparison to other SUVs. The XC70 is a funny looking wagon. At least you didn't get a V70 which is the slowest thing I've ever driven.

Was it the XC70 or XC90? I like the 90, though still a bit boring and slow in comparison to other SUVs. The XC70 is a funny looking wagon. At least you didn't get a V70 which is the slowest thing I've ever driven.


Hey Tummy. I definitely had the XC70. It was booooring. It was a very functional car and as I said, I do not have any problems with Volvo's, I was just intrigued by the "prestige" moniker. Prestige???? What????

Oh, I would take an XC90 for a test drive in a heart beat.

What car class were you booked in? Luxury? I gotta admit, when I first saw the Prestige Collection list of cars, the Volvo sort of stood out: I think of them as belonging high on the Hertz food chain, but not in the same league as Jaguar, etc. (Although Hertz certainly has a lot of poor-man's Jags that have sticker prices for less than a Volvo.)

Anyway, I've had an XC70 before and would probably do the same thing you did - ask for something else. If you aren't used to driving SUV's or station wagons, it's a bit disorienting. You'll spend your whole time with it just learning how to see out of it - not really having fun with it.

You'll spend your whole time with it just learning how to see out of it - not really having fun with it.

So true. It has HUGE blind spots. I actually had to get out of it the first time I parallel parked it. :)

The XC70 is like the subcompact of prestige vehicles. The lowest if the bunch of that group.

One of the few prestige vehicles I would turn down for an upgrade. Volvo headrests stick way out and suck, along with the hand seats. Ill take a Grand Marquis over that.

Ill take a Grand Marquis over that.

And that is the ultimate diss!! How's that taste, Volvo?!? :p

If you aren't used to driving SUV's or station wagons, it's a bit disorienting. You'll spend your whole time with it just learning how to see out of it - not really having fun with it.

I had XC70 a couple weeks ago ($8/day upgrade from midside) and had absolutely no issues driving it. It is a rather long car so parking is a bit more challenging but with rear sensors on, it was not an problem either. It is probably hard to parallel park but is it not exactly a city vehicle after all.
We crossed sierra mountains and I felt it had just the right amount of power for the size: acceleration response was very smooth without jerking.

And that is the ultimate diss!! How's that taste, Volvo?!? :p

Well Ford owns Volvo so either way I am in one of their vehicles.

That just tells you how much of a non european car driver I am. Like soft and comfortable seats...not rocks. I also like easy to use buttons not a complex mess of stuff to figure out.

I would take one over a Kia or Focus. :p

That just tells you how much of a non european car driver I am. Like soft and comfortable seats...not rocks.

I actually think Volvo seats are one of the most comfortable over long distances. Much softer than other Euro brands. Too soft, IMO, to hold you in the seat when you get the tires squealing around corners.