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:
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Major Safety Issue - 2017 Volvo XC90
By Phil - March 10 - 3:04 pmOn 7 different occasions, my new XC90 automatically and aggressively braked the car while I was driving on a highway because the City Safety collision avoidance system sensed that I was about to get into a head-on collision but there was never a car or object in front of me. The collision avoidance system is defective and brakes the car for no reason. Every time it happened I was driving on a highway and its a miracle that I didnt get rear ended. Volvo was completely unhelpful in figuring out what was wrong. My car was in the service department for 60 out of the first 100 days that I owned it. Volvo kept telling me that they couldnt recreate the problem so there was nothing they could do. The service department at Volvo of White Plains was beyond unhelpful. They were flat out rude and dismissive of my concerns. After several months of this problem, I went on the NHTSA website and found that several other people have reported the same problem. I then had to file the vehicle as a lemon under my state lemon laws. Volvo eventually repurchased the vehicle. This was the worst experience that Ive ever had with a manufacturer. They never once took me seriously even though the car had a major safety problem and several other people have had the same complaint. I bought this car because I thought Volvo made the safest cars. I made a big mistake. Think twice before you buy this car.
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avoid the 2003 XC90 - 2003 Volvo XC90
By steveswife1 - March 10 - 7:50 amWeve had tons of service problems. Volvo keeps telling us it is because the vehicle is the first year for the model. The vehicle absolutely cannot hold an alignment (we get it realigned every 3-6K miles) and burns thru tires rapidly (every 10-12K miles). Every time we have something fixed, a new problem emerges within 500 miles of driving. Lots of stuff (rear shocks, bearings, brake pads) have had to be replaced prematurely, and there have been many minor problems (stench from HVAC, radio malfunctions, etc.) on top of more serious concerns.
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Best car of the world - 2003 Volvo XC90
By Frederick - March 10 - 2:00 amI just cant say more then now, its a beautiful car, seriously!!!
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Best car of the world - 2003 Volvo XC90
By frederick - March 10 - 2:00 amI just cant say more then now, its a beautiful car, seriously!!!
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Its always something - 2004 Volvo XC90
By 7milehi - March 7 - 5:53 amBuilt like a tank, fun to drive, solid feel and loaded with safety features. A great vehicle as long as it is in warranty and your dealer offers a loaner car. This is one vehicle that an extended warranty would probably pay for itself.
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Transmission Failed - 2005 Volvo XC90
By P.B. - March 5 - 5:13 pmI currently have 84,000 (all highway) on my XC 90 and the transmission has to be replaced. I will never buy another Volvo again for lack of customer service and reliability.
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Volvo XC 90 T6 Sucks ! - 2003 Volvo XC90
By Volvo XC 90 sucks - March 4 - 10:00 amXC 90 is the greatest disappointment in 35 years of buying and driving new cars. The engine lags at odd times, feeling like engine is stalling out on acceleration,cutting vehicle speed. Dealer checked OBD computer. No faults,therefore,no problem. Premium Dolby II Surround Sound system cuts out intermittantly in both radio and CD modes.Display disappears and sound stops. Dealer checked with Volvo. There may be "software" fixes for both problems, so I have to wait until May 2 for the Volvo Tech Rep to examine the car.After a week and a half of owning this vehicle, Im ready to sell it, or JUNK IT!
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Huge Transmission Problems - 2004 Volvo XC90
By dancingbear3 - March 2 - 11:13 pmWe loved our 2004 T6 until yesterday when we had to be towed from Lake Tahoe to a Sacramento Volvo Dealer ( 109 miles ). Two different dealers told me this model has a huge transmission problem. There is talk of a law suit on the discussion board as so many owners have had problems. To be fair, some of the owners got full replacement including trnsmission, lines and radiator (around $7000 n). Well see how it goes ...
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Wont do that again - 2004 Volvo XC90
By JohnK - March 1 - 11:43 pmWe 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.
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Volvo T6 AWD - 2005 Volvo XC90
By Mac and Marti - February 23 - 7:10 amTo date have had a great experience with the car. Also had same with dealership. Excellant service with NO pressure. Also made very favorable deal.
