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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  xc90 - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By marta - December 31 - 2:00 am

  i have had many suvs and this is the best one i have had.its extremely comfortable and accelerates quickly. superb stereo system and comfortable interior. drives like a luxury car, not truck or suv like at all, very smooth.

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  Florida Volvo XC90 - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Gerry Kirkpatrick - December 30 - 11:26 am

  I enjoy driving this vehicle and feel extremely safe in it My only disappointment is in the gas mileage. I traded in a Tahoe in perfect condition to get rid of the 8 cylinder engine only to get less gas mileage. If I had know about the mileage I would have gone with the more powerful 8 cyl.Volvo as it had a smoother ride and more power on the road.

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  Great concept; Poor execution - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By CCB - December 23 - 4:56 pm

  The birth our our third child led us to sell our Audi Allroad and purchase the Volvo. Immediatly we noticed the great disparity in build quality. The front brake pads went at 11,000 mi, rotors went at 34,000 mi, no dealer explanation. Steering makes a loud clunk when turning at low speeds. Several trim pieces have consistently fallen off. The leather on the drivers seat is starting to crack despite multiple conditioning. Gas mileage is about 15.6-16.2 according to the computer. And yes, the upgraded 18 inch wheels did not have the upgraded brakes not where the tires provided of any quality. It has been such a poor experince, both with the car and the dealership, we are considering an Escalade.

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  Happy Mom of 3 Boys! - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Ray Clay - December 22 - 8:50 am

  Wonderful and easy handling. I purchased because I wanted a safe family vehicle. I received luxury and performance on top of safety.

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  2016 Volvo XC90 Stay away for now - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By XC90noway - December 21 - 9:12 pm

  Ive had the car since February and this is my third and last Volvo. The quality of the software in the car is just terrible! Internet would not come in. Voice recognition just did not work... Every time Volvo fixes something on the car, something else breaks. This last recall brok the GPS. It doesnt put me in the right city! Some features are there to configure but simply do not work... Do not try to disable the auto-engine stop feature. Although the option is there to select it or not, it doesnt do anything. Hope you like driving in comfort mode because, even if you can configure the driving mode at startup, the car will always start in comfort mode. So, you need to disable auto-engine stop and comfort mode everytime you get in the car! Volvo is adding new features to the software (Apple CarPlay)... How about fixing the software that is there and then add new things? As I said, this is my last Volvo.

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  AWESOME - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Volvoman - December 17 - 2:00 am

  Have been driving a demo model T-6 AWD for the better part of a week, and have fallen in love with every mile. More carlike ride and handling than I had wxpected and fuel mileage is decent. Am looking forward to more seat time in a 2.5T as it becomes available

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  Owner - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By friedrichaa - December 7 - 10:00 am

  Everything is working as advertised; it;s a great driving experience.

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  Meets High Expectations - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Doug - December 1 - 9:00 pm

  The vehicle continues to look and ride like new after four years. 2.5T cruises great at 60-80 mph. Wear on tires and brakes is more than we had anticipated. Great on long trips. City mileage is a modest disappointment.

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  The Perfect SUV - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Upton185 - December 1 - 10:00 am

  After researching all the competetive SUVs in the luxury segment, I decided to lease the new Volvo XC90T6. Although the great demand limited some of my option choices, I can state without equivication that this is the finest atomobile Ive ever owned. The well thought out cabin, the versatility of the 3rdseat and the safety of the gyroscopic anti-roll technology is unbeatable, not to metion the finest car like ride that any SUV could offer.

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  Lemon in KC - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By lemon in KC - December 1 - 10:00 am

  My wife was the second owner of the new XC90 in Kansas City and that may be the problem. This car has been in the shop more than our garage. You name it and it has gome wrong. The power seat/mirror loses memory every time you start the car. The fuel door snapped off when my 10-year old bumped it, ($223 - not under warranty) rear windshield wiper snapped off while trying to clean the window, radiator overheats and had to be replaced, PVC valve rattles and had to be replaced only to name a few. Hopefully these are problems with the first production run or these guys are in for some major lawsuits and lemon law issues.