Hi guys, after a bit of niche experience if anyone out there has it.

Planning ahead, I will likely be driving a 700 mile round trip commute most weekends due to moving house to Cumbria whilst working in Plymouth through the week for a while.

I currently have a 4.4 TDV8 L322 on 170K miles which I love to bits (my first RR after many other LR products) but I think it's asking a lot to do so many long trips on it now, so will keep it at home for my wife to use as a daily.

So, I have been thinking I will need a new vehicle for this long commute, with the basic requirements being, super comfy, happy on the motorway, truly all season (i.e. all wheel drive with some clearance for snow/water/winter driving conditions), and large enough to take a load of kit as and when required, and a budget of approx 15-25K depending on what's out there. With no cars off the table, I eventually boiled it down to a 4.4 SDV8 L405 or a Volvo V90CC. Has anyone got experience of both and can share with me if possible? Or does anyone have experience of other cars that might fit the bill that I could look into?

Thanks in advance.

Pic of my old girl for interest

I’d be tempted to go Volvo😮.
I hired a V90 (think it was a CC) for a round trip from Norway to UK and back - Ferry from Norway to top of Denmark then drove via Chunnel to Portsmouth. Felt as fresh as a daisy after the journey and promptly purchased a Volvo XC60 T8 while living in Norway. Amazingly comfy and the pilot assist cruise control makes motorway driving less tiring (steers to keep you in lane and adjusts speed to match car in front). Satnav updates are free downloads from Volvo and if you have the Volvo app and connect to car you can preheat cabin, lock unlock etc etc from phone. Subscription is about £40 a year I think.
I haven’t owned a 405, but would just think it would be more expensive to run (insurance, maintenance etc) and the Volvo more under the radar.

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Have you considered Japanese?

My family still say my 2020 Lexus RX450H was one of the most comfortable cars I've ever had - all the toys and 30mpg.

Subaru's with their boxer engines give a good reliable engine with a bit of character... probably more like the old land rovers than other 'modern' cars - outbacks or foresters would be ace.

thanks for the replies gents.. makes sense that the Volvo would be a fair bit cheaper to run. Only thing nagging at me is that I used an XC60 for a while in the Norwegian winter, and whilst it was awesome in many ways, the infotainment system annoyed the hell out of me and having all the heater controls etc within the screen rather than just having buttons was just so frustrating. Other than that, great car!

That’s a decent budget for a 405 these days. And the sort of journeys the car is ideal for. I would go for a 405, make sure it’s regularly serviced and oil changed every 6k.

I’ve had my 2013 with 90k miles, for 18 months now and so far just servicing required (famous last words 😆).

Good luck!