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:

• 

  been waiting for this car! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By volvo love - January 13 - 10:00 am

  Love this car!

• 

  Great car but lacks detail - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By refugee2k - January 8 - 10:00 am

  runs great. very happy but not very family oriented. in the process of trading it in for mini-van. passenger cant get back to the rear seat between isle.

• 

  Considering the hype about the Volvo brand, indeed - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Mythili Pisolkar - January 6 - 8:24 am

  I purchased this coming from a Lexus 400h expecting to be wowed. The test drive was good. The 360 view, the dashboard were fantastic looking and I was blown over. Post purchase, I began to uncover lots of common sense things that the car simply refused to do. Unlike the Infiniti, the 360 view is not attainable unless you go through several clicks and swipes on the very cool tablet/ipad like dashboard controls. The purpose of the 360 view is lost totally. The rear view can be replaced with the 360 view but then you lose the range of vision of the road behind you. Radio settings are made unnecessary complicated. Another example, the simple and easy windshield wipers. You would think they would have these automated down pat but no. Unlike the Lexus, you actually have to tell it that it is raining only after which it does some level of automated speed up and slow down of the wipers. The service was "ugh" and "aargh" always - condescending disposition of the people and poor time estimation at the top of the problems. A supposed 45 minute wait became "a few more minutes", "half hour more", "15 more minutes" to three hours! There was one time when the service person told me that car pick up for maintenance will happen only if I was disabled in some manner which was an outright cooked up story. The service people behave as if they are high and mighty and want to show that they control who gets picked up and who doesnt. A simple reason such as, "We dont have drivers or cars to pick up at that time" would have been totally understandable for inability to pick up. Lexus service was soooo much better! These are registered complaints and I received apologies. I was okay the first time but some issue or the other came up which did not have to come up. The router and the wifi is not of great strength as advertised for sure. The Lane Assist detected white dashed lines only. The double yellow line and the solid white line were totally ignored. To top all of this, the car self-braked many times for the wrong scenarios such as a car coming on the opposite lane, a parked car in a turn and didnt stop for a stopped vehicle causing a head-on collision and was totaled after 6 months of usage. In conclusion, it comes with a few cool bells and whistles but it is not a well thought through car for overall execution. Service gets the lowest score. Truly disappointing.

• 

  My XC90! - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Platy - December 30 - 2:00 am

  After waiting for 3 months, I was one of the first people to pick up their XC90. I am happy to say that the wait was well worth it! The ride is beautiful. Its alot easier to park than I expected it to be, and the 6cd stereo has alot of features.

• 

  New Volvo - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By Lisa - December 29 - 4:50 am

  This is my first Volvo purchase and so far so good. I love the exterior aesthetics and the interior leather seats are quite comfortable. Its a very easy SUV to drive !

• 

  Ball and Chain - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By XC90 Owner - December 27 - 10:23 am

  We bought our XC90 used, knowing that it had a couple of problems to fix, but thought that the discount of buying it used would make up the difference, were we wrong. After multiple trips to the Volvo dealership for engine light issues, door seal leaks, transmission seal leaks, brake master cylinder leak/failure, and several other small engine repairs. Weve deemed the check engine light the "$1000 light", because every time it comes on or we make a trip to the dealership for repairs it costs at least $1000. Great idea for Volvos first SUV, but plagued with problems. Later years dont seem to be much better. Fun to drive, looks great, way too expensive to maintain and repair!

• 

  trip comfort - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By r.ketzel - December 25 - 10:00 am

  I have made two recent road trips in the past 2 months,2ooo mile round trip (20hrs each way, 2days ew.) and 1000 mile round trip (7hrs each way,1 day ew.) and had extreem weather conditions. My xc90 was a pleasure to drive and preformed exceptionaly well. My mpg was probably around 18.5.The drive was very comfortable.

• 

  Best car with horrible problems! - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Angela - December 23 - 11:46 pm

  Love my XC90! We have had too many issues and Volvo has done nothing to help. 1. knob on thermostat broke 2. check engine light came on and remained on till sweeden developed software to correct 3. radio-CD player was changing stations without pressing buttons (rocker switch in steering was bad)4.sunroof leaks & more... We are military living in germany and have US specs on our car. They have blamed that for many of our problems however, Volvo has done nothing to compensate us for the 16 trips to the dealership in the seven months of ownership.They believe driving their product with the check engine light on for six months is acceptable. They are selling us poor quality and horrible service!

• 

  2004 XC90 - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By firtft - December 19 - 10:00 am

  Very few miles yet, but very happy so far!

• 

  Safety first.. Volvo First - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Trini - December 13 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I wnated a mini van, something that can hold 7 passengers. Waited a year after the intorduction at the Detroit Auto show, and it was WORTH the wait. Car like drive, lots of nice features, and you feel very safe in this suv. I have been sold on Volvo and this is my second car, nothing beats feeling safe! After 6 months I am happy to see all the GREAT reviews... means we made a good decision :)