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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  Volvo XC90 - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Maria - January 2 - 12:23 pm

  Great Driving performance. Does not swerve on slippery roads, snowy roads. Car has great shock absorbers . Smoother ride on country roads

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  Outstanding SUV - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Trey Young - January 1 - 2:00 am

  This car has everything you could ask for in a SUV. Space,performance, SAFETY. The engine has all the power you will ever need and negotiating multiple children around the interior is easy.

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  Volvo xc90 - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By cphammer - January 1 - 2:00 am

  Nice vehicle, turns heads on the street. Perhaps the safest SUV on the road. Superb interior amenities. Downside. Large pillar members increase lateral blind spots when driving.

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  Finallly - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By TinCup - January 1 - 2:00 am

  After months of waiting with a deposit on a car I had never seen my XC90 finally arrived. The 2.5T AWD drives great. It has a high fun factor for an SUV of this size. Very verstile, very nice. The car gets a lot of attention on the road.

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  Volvo For Life-What a Joke - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By rmapro - December 30 - 4:03 pm

  The XC90 is my 7th Volvo & will be my last.At 60,000 mile service the check engine light came on & the dealer replaced the mass airflow sensor for $600.00. The next day after the repair, the check engine light came on again, the dealer told me the oil trap needed to be replaced, a $1200.00 repair. I found out from a Volvo mechanic that if the mass airflow sensor was bad, the XC90 would barely run, It was running fine when I brought it in. After finding out that Suburban Volvo charged me $60.00 higher then list price for the sensor. I contacted Volvo customer service & they told me that the dealer was independent & could charge what they wanted. She said Volvo would not help.

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  Best vehicle Ive ever owned - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By leftatdunkirk - December 29 - 9:03 pm

  Up to 95,000 miles and going strong. Cost more to maintain than my Toyota 4Runner did, but well worth it. The Toyota always felt like work, while the Volvo feels like home. You sit on most seats, but sit in these. Will it easily do 120mph? Without admitting to anything, Id have to say yes. The 5cyl turbo is the way to go, as this engine/trans combo seem to be bullet-proof. I test drove this and the Honda Pilot, and am glad our family of six is moving in the Volvo.

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  This car should be called XC90 T8 BETA - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By XC90isBeta - December 29 - 11:31 am

  This car has issues which require it to go back to the dealer within my first 3 days of ownership. And there is a list of intermittant problems which I know will be difficult to reproduce and therefore will continue to plague me throughout my ownership of this car. Not to mention I have been getting terrible fuel economy and it is the bumpiest ride of any car I have ever owned!

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  Back to Honda for Me - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Tina - December 27 - 9:13 am

  After years of owning Hondas we decided to try something new and purchased the XC90. I have been into the service department more times for our Volvo in two years than we were for our last 3 Hondas combined over 10 years. And for little annoyances -- jiggly window, leaky sunroof, bad insulation in one door, faulty vent doors in heating/cooling system, power steering problems, to name a few. The multitude of little problems has made us wonder what bigger problems we might face in the next year or two.

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  I love this car/suv/whatever it is - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By gift4gab - December 27 - 2:00 am

  Weve had this car since December and drive it everywhere. Does well on the highway and manuveurs well in the city. Wish the turning radius was a bit better, but thats just finding something to find wrong. We gave up the Honda Odyssey for this, thank goodness. The Volvo is comfortable, quiet, roomy yet managable. I dont have any problems with the way it looks, drives or feels.

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  First and last Volvo - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By kyle - December 25 - 4:10 pm

  Great car for the first couple of weeks. Then it would not accelerate. It took four trips to the dealer, and me having to drive the car for them. They had to change the fuel tank, and pump. Lots of noises and clunks, that they cant fix.