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:

• 

  Once youve gone Swedish... - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By J Sube - March 15 - 10:23 pm

  After driving Saabs (900SE Conv, 9-5SE Sedan) for nearly ten years, I wanted to move to an SUV and bought a Toyota. Although it was highly reliable, I was bored beyond belief with it. So, along came the Volvo XC90 T6 AWD in Graphite Gray -- great looking, so very comfortable, excellent driving experience, great gadgets, and hauls a lot of stuff easily (dog, people, and things on weekend trips to the beach house). My only complaint is that I didnt wait two more months to get the 8-cylinder engine. On long up hill segments of road (local streets, etc), it often whines when the turbo has to kick in to move up the hill. Other than that, I love the vehicle and recommend it to all.

• 

  Near-perfect family vehicle - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By CPRNY - March 11 - 10:00 am

  Great car for Mom AND Dad. Well- appointed, worth every $. Lots of smart family features. Comfortable seats, great audio (upgrd), good visibility. Smart layout, good finish. Our first Volvo and likely not our last.

• 

  Love It - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By AFE - March 11 - 10:00 am

  Got my new XC90 in late May to drive from Florida to Vermont on its first trip. I was very pleasantly surprised of its confort and ease to drive on a long trip. The enhanced stereo option was worth the additional cost. My only suggestion for improvement would to relocate the clock to a more central location on the dash so it would be visable to passengers also. I would highly recommend this SUV to any family as the third row seating is great. I looked first at BMW, Mercedes and Lexus but the Volvo was better.

• 

  not so sure about this car - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Cleen - March 9 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car used from the local Volvo dealer. With only 38,000kms on it & half the price of a new one it seemed like a no brainer. It also came with the entertainment package & third row seating. I want to love this car. I think it is the best looking SUV out there. It handles beautifully its unassuming & overall a great family vehicle. But. I cant get over how loud the engine is, and how poorly it accelerates. Go up a slight incline it sounds like the transmission is slipping. Coming down a decline, it does the same thing and clunks into gear. It really bothers me. I keep thinking it has transmission problems. Also, at 2500 rpm it revs really loud! Its being traded in for an LR4.

• 

  Great ideas, but poor product support - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By KD - March 6 - 4:33 am

  Everything about what this car is supposed to be or do is great. However, there are a lot of bugs with the technology and the service department is not trained enough to deal with these said issues. My car is less than a year old and is back into the shop, again. It went into the shop on Thursday for what was supposed to be a minor software update. It is now Monday, and I am still without my car. Volvo technical support was contacted on Friday to address my situation, but I was told they are not good about responding on Fridays. I am confused. This is Volvos flagship vehicle. The service departments at the dealership do not have the knowledge or tools to deal with the car, and then the companys technical support dept starts its weekends on Thursday I guess!! This is very perplexing.

• 

  The Vehicle is OK - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Mike - March 1 - 10:23 pm

  If you really want to buy this vehicle, buy it for what Volvo is known for. (Safety) The vehicle is a smooth ride and feels like a tank.

• 

  AC fails after a week - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Randal Doerner - February 25 - 2:12 pm

  What can I say.... In one week, the AC has stopped cooling. ONE WEEK!

• 

  Extended Warrenty saves the day - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Lemon - February 23 - 5:50 pm

  This car is in the shop about once a month. Luckily we bought the extended service warranty as the build quality is on par with some of the first generation Korean models. Some the failures are real safety concerns. I guess the positive if the parts do fail and result in accident you know you will be safe.

• 

  Versatile, fun, well-constructed........ - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By DJCA - February 22 - 10:00 am

  We use our thrid row seats infrequently, but when we do....sure nice to have. The vehicle is solid as a rock, it drives very car-like and the engine is spirited, though it probably could use another 25hp. I wish we had purchased the navigation system.....would have been a fun accessory. The sound system is amazingly good once programmed, but trust me, to unlock all of the audio features you have to spend 2 hours on the setup.

• 

  Safe and solid ride - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Scarlett435 - February 20 - 11:33 am

  I love my Volvo SUV! Wish I would have purchased it with the GPS already installed. Have replaced all 4 tires, front & back brakes, front & back rotares, upper engine mount all before 75K miles! But I still love the vehicle.