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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  Dont buy this car - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By RICH - April 29 - 2:53 am

  Nothing but problems with this car-- ive been to the dealership 6 times and they havent been able to shut the engine light off. I will never buy another volvo

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  Nice look, poor execution - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Sarrrrraahhhh - December 3 - 6:49 pm

  I wanted to like this SUV. I did all the research online and the dealership was busy with everyone wanting to drive the XC90. Our first test drive was the T6 Momentum. It was AWFUL! There was a horrible burning smell and a wicked vibration that made my husband feel carsick in the back seat. I changed with him and I started to feel carsick in the back too. The shifting was really rough, the acceleration was poor, the seats were not comfortable at all. The salesman ask if we would be willing to try another. I wanted to like this car so we agreed. We drove the R design. What a different experience, the contour seats are very comfortable, we drove it in dynamic mode which made a difference in acceleration, there was not a vibration. But we were still woozy from the first one so we have to drive it again. The biggest con for us is that there is no strap on the back of the 3rd row. It seems petty, but if you are going to have a car that can almost drive itself, why dont you put a strap on that back of the 3rd row so a shorter person can pull the 3rd row up and not have to climb in the back to push it up?

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  LEMON - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By mdstover - November 20 - 8:00 pm

  I purchased this car in September of 2009, 3 months later I am having to buy a new car. This was the biggest peice of crap I have ever owned. The test drive was fine but on our 120+ mile trip home after purchasing it I noticed a sound I hadnt heard before. We called and they offered to fix it. We thought great so we took it all the way back and had them fix it. After 2 weeks they were waiting on a part for the back wiper. I went and got it and would take it back later when they got the part it. Again on the way home a whole new experience. Suddenly my car had major electrical issues. Turns out it was a lemon when the got it and put a band-aid on the problem and passed it on to me.

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  Think Twice about a 2016 XC 90 - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By OJ - October 28 - 4:24 pm

  8 day "old", spring break trip ends 200 miles into an 800 mile return journey! Overheating and no AC - engine management system advises to immediately shutdown the engine. Towed into a local dealership. Has taken 8 days to have vehicle repaired and still do not have the car back home. Very poor customer service from Volvo, the Corporation. Have received good but not outstanding service from the dealerships in trying to resolve the issues. I assume Volvo brand and value proposition is based upon the fact that a $64,000 car is actually "a cheap car" and therefore the customer should not really expect superior customer service!

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  Bad XC90 experience, bought Toyota - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Mark - October 24 - 10:23 am

  The Volvo dealer would not even buy our fully loaded 2005 XC90 T6, that is what a piece of junk the XC90s are and Volvo knows it! We have 6 cars including Ferraris and Hondas. Volvo buyer beware, the only thing good about the XC90 is the ride quality. However ride quality does not matter when the driveshaft fails(twice), the shock strut fails(twice), tires wore out(20k miles), and the left axel seal failed, stranding us on the freeway. Not to mention little things like the defroster failed and the seat heaters mysteriously turn on. Then there are the interior ergonometric issues - try taking a family to McDonalds, there is no place to put stuff. We sold it and bought a Toyota Sequoia

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  XC90 T8 plagued with problems - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Ramsay Battin - October 20 - 5:13 pm

  We bought our $84k TX90T8 about a year ago and its been nothing but problems. Weve had it in the shop twice for a total of 30 days to fix problems with the hybrid system. Message from car was "Hybrid System Failure, take to dealer immediately". Both times we were out of town. In the first instance, we ran out of gas before we could get it to the dealer and the car wouldnt restart. Had to get it towed to the dealer. The second time we had enough gas to get it to the dealer fortunately. We also had issues with the "Park Assist" where it intermittently would shut off. Our dealer finally determined that one of the sensors was broken and they replaced it. Another time, my wife was driving it down the highway with the kids in the car when it suddenly lost all power. Thankfully she was able to get it to the curb safely. She called the dealer whos advice was to "turn the car off and then turn it back on". She did so and it worked - but the whole situation did not engender confidence in the car. Not been a great experience thus far and were only a year into it!

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  Volvo for Life...NOT ANYMORE! - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Jason L - July 27 - 11:07 am

  After owning 5 Volvos before this one, we were Volvo for Life! This car looks great....with that said, thats about it. DONT BUY THIS CAR. Got ours new June and it has been in the shop almost half the time. TONS of false promises from Volvo and the dealer about fixing it. Pretty sure they are ALL lemons and we are about to start the Lemon law process with our dealer. For the record Volvo has had to buy back tons of them already! So many issues I dont know where to start. Volvo knows there are so many problems, but refuse to do anything about them. They are trying to come up with fixes on the fly. That was exactly what the dealer told me. The Turbo on the 4 cylinder is a joke and it sounds like a jet engine from inside the car and nothing can be done about it. The tablet that controls EVERYTHING, is the devil! Never works, freezes up, goes off for no reason and on and on and on. Doors locks dont work, foot activated tailgate doesnt work, I can continue! VOLVO YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF! If you are considering this car, look at the new Acura MDX, or the Audi Q7.

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  Standard suspension is WAY TOO HARSH! - 2017 Volvo XC90
  By BCWatty - July 3 - 5:31 pm

  Make sure you can live with the suspension, I could not deal with how harsh the ride was and traded the car after 8 months and 14K miles. You know how some cars are better than the sum of its individual parts (VW GTI, for instance)? This car has all the right parts, but, the vehicle made me feel like a beta tester - the computer which controls everything is too slooooooow - a trip for service had the software updated, but the computer got slower, not faster. Too much intervention with touch screen required to perform the simplest functions, and it is slow to react. The sensors go off randomly which flabbergasted me with trying to get them to just shut up! The rear seat belts constantly rattle against hard plastic, which drove me crazy, too. The dealership experience is not up to the standards of its peers, either. The design of the car is beautiful, but it just needs more refinement to be competitive. It is my fault I did not pay enough attention to the suspension during my test drive - my other car is a Ford Mustang, which has a much smoother ride experience. Either pay for the upgraded suspension, or know it will try to beat you to death with the standard suspension. I had such high hopes and am disappointed the car failed to meet my expectations.

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  Why did I buy this car? - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Terry - July 1 - 10:42 pm

  Update: Still hate my car, cant wait to get rid of it. Waiting for the 2018 BMW x5 to come out..... Have now had 3 app upgrade. Had no choice, my nav system stopped working. Have 12,000 miles and squeaky brakes and Im told I need new brake pads, really! It is just so hard to even figure out how to properly play the radio system. Ive had my car a year and I still cant figure it out. Had 3 recalls also. When they do take my car in for repair it takes them days, days. Just last week they had it 3 days. Should never of gotten this suv. I am not happy at all. Oh it looks great and thats what I fell for. But is not worth the $66,000 I paid for it. DONT BUY this you will be sorry..... I am

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  Test Drive of XC90 - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By MikeNLPD-9 - April 27 - 2:00 am

  The car some what tight inside