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:

• 

  A car for the yuppie mom. - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By casalizzie - March 9 - 10:00 am

  Feels like driving a sedan, but you have available all the features of a SUV. Unsurpassed safety. Fun for the kids - dvd screen and ability to integrate, view and play electronic games, perfect for long trips.

• 

  Not Bad - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Dave - March 8 - 5:46 am

  Poor gas mileage is the only major issue we have.

• 

  Buyers Be Very Aware!! - 2017 Volvo XC90
  By JT - March 5 - 4:33 am

  Oh, were do I start? I will keep this short. DO NOT buy a new model year Volvo XC90. Our first 2016 XC90 was in the shop more than we drove it. Volvo ended up buying it back from us. The problems are too many to list, but range from dashboard and info screens going dark (while driving), auto park feature wanting to engage when stopped at a stop light, exhaust noises during acceleration, AC not working properly from time to time, the $2,600 B&W sound system whos speaker grills rattle more than anyone should tolerate and driver profile settings not working/syncing with the key fobs, acceleration is jerky and anything but smooth (we have the Polestar performance chip installed) and various infotainment glitches. Now the kicker, Volvo wanted to keep us "in the family" and worked a deal to get us a new 2017. LOL, this one has the same issues and has been in the shop 5 more times, with one of those service appts lasting 4 weeks. Also, it gets terrible gas mileage (15 mpg city-20 mpg hwy) and the ride is so stiff it’s worse than driving my BMW with the sports suspension pkg. You feel EVERY bump and crack and not in a good way. The whole driving experience is like a twitchy, nervous gazelle before a lion feeding frenzy. Don’t believe all the reviews that paint a glorious picture after driving this SUV for a few hours. The designers, engineers and Volvo management should be ashamed of the car they approved and built I wish we would have walked away after the first one was returned. Now I see why the original Volvo company went bankrupt. Never Again

• 

  117,000 and going strong - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By LARRY - March 3 - 9:46 am

  I have read 20 pages of reviews and wonder how I managed to get one of the good ones. I get in, start the engine, engage the transmission and go. We have been doing this for 117K miles. Replace tires every 40,000 miles, front brake pads at 72K miles and timing belt at 111K (scheduled maintenance). I suppose I must have low expectations because we have been satisfiew with this vehicle. This is my 4th Volvo and the most user friendly. Not as fast as our S80 t but more practical. Our other vehicle is a 2000 BMW Z3 so when more than two go, this is the horse we ride. I average 21 mpg, not great but without a car payment ( do not feel the need to replace every 3 years)

• 

  XC90 T6 AWD - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By FSavane23 - February 28 - 2:00 am

  This is a superb SUV with more safety features than can be expected. The dealer demonstrated the Anti-Roll and DSTC feature of the SUV and it was absolutley amazing. There was no rolling or swaying of the SUV at all. My other SUV swayed so much in an emergency avoidance that it almost tipped over - that was only at about 40MPH. The Volvo was demonstrated at about 55MPH - AMAZING!

• 

  This car was NOT ready for prime time - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By MrMan - February 21 - 12:31 am

  I was one of the first to take delivery of the 2016 model (non-first edition). The car is great if you are just taking it for a short test drive. All of those glowing reviews.... Were from reviewers that took it on a few hour test drive. Actually owning the car was a different story. Mine leaked twice, and after a long, drawn out, months and months long story, it was lemond and I got into a Q7, which is far and away a better vehicle. Its not even close. And the leaking wasnt the only problem that I had. For the first several months that I owned the vehicle, my car spent more than 30 days in the shop. The support from VCNA and the dealers is just awful. I could literally go on and on for pages about my experience, but Ill just leave it at that.

• 

  My First Volvo - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By seXC90 - February 16 - 7:23 pm

  This is my first experience with Volvo and for the most part it is a great one. The XC90 V8 is impressive and fun to drive. The styling of the exterior far out weights it competitors. I can no longer go back to the Japanese cars I drove in the past. They all now seem so cheap. I have had a few problems with my XC90: rattling noises (drive me crazy), front dash crackles during change in temperature (very common in Volvos) but go away when temperature regulates and a strange transmission whine at 55 mph (being resolved). In Short I trusted the Japanese cars for their reliability, so thats why I chose the V8. Japanese (Yamaha)engine and transmission wrapped up in a luxury SUV. I love mine!!!

• 

  Well Built For Life - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Mitch - February 8 - 9:56 am

  I purchased this vehicle for my wife and have been very happy with it. The vehicle has great fit and finish and, other than the tailgate update, we have had no problems. As my wife is not familiar driving vehicles with a high CG, safety was a primary concern.

• 

  volvo experience - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By GailXmas - February 4 - 5:53 pm

  Love It! Quiet, smooth, comfortable, safe and just plain fun to drive. The only thing that does not have as standard equipment is a compass!.

• 

  I love my XC90 - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Deborah Wolfe - February 3 - 9:43 am

  I wouldnt drive an SUV other than a Volvo. It is so safe and comfortable. I get about 17.5 miles per gallon of gas on average.