Overview & Reviews

After receiving significant changes last year, the 2008 Volvo XC90 carries over much the same. An auto-dimming rearview mirror is standard on all XC90s, while the V8 models get some mild interior and exterior trim updates. A 3.2 Special Edition trim also debuts.

• Pleasing to drive, impressive safety ratings, high-quality interior materials, snug and comfy front seats, ample cargo space.

• Overall design is getting a bit stale, third-row seating compromises second-row space, subpar fuel economy with either engine.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 40.00

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  Perfect truck at the right price - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By Costin Harnoncourt - November 28 - 12:36 pm

  We got this truck because it looks great, is very comfortable, rates very high in safety and best of all we got $10K of the sticker price. The seats are amazing, room for 7 and lots of trunk space. Great stereo system and power everything. The only problem is poor gas mileage

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  Initial impressions: Excellent! - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By Family of Four - September 26 - 10:50 pm

  Decided on Volvo for safety and built- in booster seat for toddler, luxury items, good 2 yr lease deal. Considered Mercedes M class for same money, but ride and comfort were the worst of any SUV Ive driven. Very surprised. I even test drove the M-B three times, but to no avail. Acura MDX was more luxurious and had better bells/whistles, reliability, but lease deals were poor. Only stripped down MDX was offered as a deal, but adding options was costly! BMW X5 - too small and clunky doors- wife hated it! Mans car. Lexus RX was wonderful, but too small for our needs. Volvo has best safety record, but scary reliability. I got a 2 year lease since didnt want to live with a mistake for 3 years.

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  Scandinavian Delivery - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By bobliles - September 22 - 1:33 am

  We picked up the car at the Volvo delivery center in Goteberg, Sweden and drove to Oslo, Lillehammer, over the mountains to Balestrand, back through Sweden, Karlstad, Stockholm, Kalmar. Climbing the mountains was no effort for the V8 and was unaffected by the altitude. We drove 1700 miles in ten days. The only challenge was parking in an Oslo underground garage meant for the dimunitive European vehicles. Mileage for trip was 23.8 mpg which is excellent considering the mountain and in city driving. But minimum octane in Norway/Sweden was 95. Ive been a Honda/Acura owner for 30 years. Owned an MDX and test drove a new MDX recently. The Volvo XC90 is the ultimate.

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  Great Car/Terrible Mileage - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By Chris - July 3 - 2:20 am

  My wife has always wanted the XC90, so we took the plunge when the lease on our Pathfinder was up. Its a beautiful car, and weve owned Volvos all along growing up. From a comfort standpoint, the car is top notch. More interior room than the Pathfinder. Powerful stereo system. It was good to get the familiar Volvo safety Ive been used to over the years. Only problem, the gas mileage is horrible. Were aveaging 14.8. But hey, what do you expect for a car that is "dripping" in safety features, thats more important Also, had to drop some paperwork at the dealership one day and something punctured my tire as I was driving out, they reimbursed me for the new tire!

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  Love it! - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By Lars Hoej - June 22 - 1:36 am

  My fourth Volvo, but SUV. A 2008 V8 Special Edition with practically all options. Paid $56,000 and have no regrets. The ride is smooth, steering responsive and road grip and stability far better than my wifes Acura MDX. Second row a bit cramped, but as it is meant for kids and they are more interested in the entertainment system, its not a big issue. Air condition for the rear seats is on all the time, as it enhances the over-all airflow. The air quality system and BLIS makes highway traffic very comfortable. I drive the car pretty hard and has a mileage below 12, but the V8 sound is so great that its hard not to use the power.

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  Very happy so far - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By JAGinKorea - February 10 - 5:00 pm

  Took delivery of this vehicle in Korea using the diplomat and military sales program. Very simple process to custom order the vehicle from the factory and saved nearly $9K over state-side MSRP. Zero mechanical or quality issues since it arrived 8 months ago. Incredibly versatile SUV for my family of five- weve used a variety of seating configurations for different trips, extra guests etc. Very quiet at standstill and on highways and a nice sound to the inline 6 when you step on it. I had driven the V8 version several times before and it is more fun, but I couldnt justify the extra cost and Ive never felt I absolutely needed the extra power. One of the best family vehicles out there.

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  Always in the Shop! Stay Away - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By Volvo XC-90 - September 17 - 2:43 pm

  I was fooled into buying the XC-90 after the arrival of our first child. Truth is, this has been the worst car weve ever purchased. It drives, but constantly in the shop for several issues, including AC problems, allignment issues, electronics, mechanical, and at one point, they had to replace both front axles completely! Dont be fooled by the safety recommendations, all newer luxury SUVs have good overall safety ratings. Further, the car has horrible traction control in rainy conditions. If you do decide to purchase, please buy the AWD. I do not let my wife and child drive this car when it rains.

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  My 2nd XC 90 - 2008 V8 - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By eastcoastjim - August 6 - 1:36 am

  We leased our 2nd XC 90 in August 2008, and couldnt be happier. Our first lease was a 2006 XC 90 with the 5 cyl. turbo, and it was a mediocre performer. Way underpowered, it worked so hard all the time it got horrible gas mileage and forget trying to get it to do a 50 to 70 pass on the highway. It had some warrenty work, but none of the horror stories I have read elsewhere. Based on the improved reliability cited by consumers reports, we decided to lease a new V8. It is light years better - it feels like a completely different car, and the gas mileage is about the same between the two. There are only minor differences between the model yrs, and the incentives made them the same price!

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  Way Overpriced - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By sdd - July 27 - 3:20 am

  We bought the XC90 after owning a Suburban to get a smaller vehicle, a "luxury" SUV, and for the safety features. The safety features are there, but this SUV is not a sturdy vehicle for active families. The middle console has come out, the doors do not automatically lock/unlock, it rattles, the seats in the back rows are difficult to lay down-just to name a few of our complaints. For the money, we regret we did not purchase the Lexus or the Land Cruiser.

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  "Volvo for Life" Great Motto - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By Lucy Boudet - May 18 - 10:20 am

  This is my 2nd XC90. Came out of a great experience in a 2005 XC90 and couldnt find anything I really wanted better. Tested a Mazda CX9, Mercedes M Class, Subaru Tribeca, Highlander, Lexus RX 350...and on and on. It may not have the fun "zoom-zoom quality of the Mazda, but the Mazda outside mirrors vibrate like crazy...rear seats vibrated...tracks in the floor looked so cheap. Mercedes was nice but didnt like the paddle shifter and its too small cargo area. Volvo makes the most beautiful, classy looking SUV. Nothing beats the feeling of quality in my XC 90. This new engine drives great. I thought Id miss the Turbo. Not at all. Great lease deals make it the perfect family vehicle.