Overview & Reviews

Volvo does things a little differently from other premium brands in the automotive world. For this Swedish manufacturer, safety and kid-friendliness are just as important as luxury amenities and driving performance, and in no vehicle is this more apparent than the Volvo XC90, a midsize seven-passenger SUV.

Innovative safety features aside, the XC90 is merely adequate relative to the premium midsize SUV competition. Zestier performance is available elsewhere, as are more cavernous cargo holds and more modern electronics features. With more and more modern competitors measuring up to Volvo's high safety standards, the aging XC90 isn't the slam-dunk for families that Volvo products used to be. It remains capable, though, and arguably safer than ever thanks to some new tricks.

Current Volvo XC90
The Volvo XC90 is a seven-passenger luxury crossover SUV that comes in two different trim levels: 3.2 and sportier 3.2 R-Design. Available with front- or all-wheel drive, the XC90 has a 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine rated for 240 horsepower. It's paired to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Standard equipment highlights include 18-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, rear parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, eight-way power front seats, a built-in child booster seat, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and an eight-speaker sound system that includes an iPod/USB audio interface. The 3.2 R-Design adds 19-inch alloys, a sport-tuned suspension/steering system, sporty exterior styling cues, a sport steering wheel and special leather upholstery. Major options include adaptive bi-xenon headlamps, a rear entertainment system with dual screens, a DVD-based navigation system and a surround-sound audio system.

On the road, we've found that the XC90 drives just as you'd expect a safe, heavy Volvo SUV to drive. Acceleration from the inline-6 is just adequate. Those looking for more energetic performance should know that the previously available V8-powered models are considerably more satisfying to drive. Ride quality is smooth and the cabin stays quiet, while handling is competent but not particularly sporty. Equipped with AWD, the XC90 makes an excellent snow vehicle but isn't intended for serious off-road romps.

To its credit, the XC90 has a first-rate interior, good overall driving dynamics and excellent safety scores. The trouble is, most rivals offer these attributes as well as fresher designs. In addition to Volvo's own XC60, we'd suggest you also consider the Lexus RX and Volkswagen Touareg if a third row isn't required. If it is, then we'd suggest the Acura MDX, BMW X5, Buick Enclave and Ford Flex. The Volvo XC90 is certainly a nice luxury crossover, but it lacks an edge over the competition in both luxury and performance.

Used Volvo XC90 Models
The XC90 debuted for the 2003 model year with models that corresponded to engine size. The original base engine was a 208-hp, 2.5-liter turbocharged inline five-cylinder (known as the 2.5T) coupled to a five-speed automatic, which was replaced by the current 3.2 six-cylinder for '07. Used XC90 shoppers will also come across T6 models (sold from 2003-'05), which had a 268-hp, twin-turbocharged 2.8-liter inline-6 paired to a four-speed auto. Although acceleration was adequate with either of these turbo engines, their power delivery wasn't well suited for duty in a heavy SUV. However, if you test-drive either a T6 or 2.5T and find its performance to your liking, there's no reason not to buy it.

A 4.4-liter V8 joined the fray for '05. It was rated at 311 hp. For 2007 and '08, there was a surprisingly fun V8 Sport model, which added unique exterior trim, a firmly tuned suspension, 19-inch wheels, quicker steering, heavily bolstered front seats, blue gauges and a sporty steering wheel. This was essentially replaced by the R-Design models for '09, which featured most of the Sport's mechanical enhancements, but could be had with the 3.2 engine as well. The V8 R-Design was dropped for 2010, while the following year would be the last for any V8 version of the XC90.

It should be noted that non-V8-powered XC90s were available in both five- and seven-passenger seating configurations until 2010, when the third row became standard. Other changes were restricted to the odd feature added here or there until '07, when the XC90 got slightly revised exterior styling. New standard features included an auxiliary audio jack and satellite radio, while Volvo's Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) was added to the options list. The V8's Executive package was added for 2009, and with items like massaging and ventilated front seats, a so-equipped XC90 would be quite a used car find.

User Reviews:

• 

  Perfect but serious software issues - 2017 Volvo XC90
  By KJ - July 14 - 12:59 pm

  This is our 4th XC90 in 12 years (we always lease 3yrs at a time). This is also our first model since the major redesign in 2015. Its currently driven around 8000 miles and we have had severe software issues including: Random battery drainage caused by software issue (locked out 3 times), constant "car is unlocked" notifications in iPhone app even though the car is locked (false alarm), GPS offset where the car thinks its 100miles from where it actually is causing random warnings when driving at 60mph where t thinks its in a 25mph school zone etc., very unreliable cellular connectivity making Spotify and Pandora features pretty much unusable, occasional connectivity loss in a well covered area and many over random weird issues. Volvo should rethink their software strategy seriously, stop patching a dead horse and change to a completaly new platform.

• 

  not sure - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By jo-lin - April 11 - 10:00 am

  Had the vehicle a month and a few things puzzle me. With three rows of seating, my family is cramped. Also, the automatic transmission fells sloppy. Aside from these, has a nice car-like feel.

• 

  If only the quality matched the looks - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Tom Cheney - March 18 - 10:00 am

  Very poor inital quality. Very slow to make design changes to fix obvious problems. Wait 3 years before buying one as they have many bugs.

• 

  Wont do that again - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By JohnK - March 1 - 11:43 pm

  We bought the vehicle as a CPO and its a good thing we did. Steering rack replaced at 40K. Audio system failed at 48K. Steering wheel began to come loose at 52K. The vehicle is quirky. Seat memory linked to key fob seems to have mind of its own. There is no power to the pass. seat with ignition off. Lumbar adjusted by a difficult to turn, knuckle scraping knob. Refrigerant can be heard running through the lines as the A/C compressor cycles on and off. Very good sound from the audio system but menus navigation / display leave a lot to be desired.

• 

  Less Than Expected - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By volvosucker - January 4 - 2:00 am

  My Volvo has been in the shop 3 times since purchase. Vibrates when decelerating from high speed, engine whines, had electrical problems, loose wiring connections causing navigation and radio to cut in and out. Interior is much louder than expected. Gets very poor gas mileage. Very cramped in rear seats, not worth the money, wouldnt buy another or suggest one for a friend.