2002 Volvo XC Consumer Reviews

Upgrade from 850 Wagon

Written by: Kate on 03/22/2008

Vehicle

2002 Volvo XC AWD 4dr Wagon (2.4L 5cyl Turbo 5A)

Review

I owned an 850 wagon for one year and loved it! It blew a piston ring and rather than spending the money to fix it, I bought this car. I love it! While it is more luxurious than I am used to, this car will definitely last for 10+ yrs. I bought it with 52k miles at 5 yrs old and it was still eligible for the Volvo used car warranty. So far, no regrets. Though sometimes it feels like the gas needle visibly moves on short (<100 miles) trips. I'm used to a car that gets 30+ mpg though- so maybe that's just me. Volvo improved the cupholders, climate control and internal design significantly and I am happy with my car over all. This car will go on camping trips, ski trips and paintball trips..

Favorite Features

3rd row seat, ability to fold 2nd row headrests down, memory driver's seat (boyfriend is a foot taller than I am), dual climate control, comfortable seats!!!, message window, ground clearance, rubber protection where it matters, utility ability in a sedan body

Suggested Improvements

I can't get over how it feels to go through half a tank of gas in one day. Maybe the gas tank is small and I'm sensitive to it, but maybe not. The little message window telling me my instantaneous mpg probably doesn't help. Gas prices are rising and sometimes I wish I had a Prius.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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The Swedish Warrior

Written by: NAsh on 09/07/2007

Vehicle

2002 Volvo XC AWD 4dr Wagon (2.4L 5cyl Turbo 5A)

Review

"Vidar" the XC is a great boy. We have owned several Volvos during the past 20 years and this is our first Volvo we have owned since Ford took over. However, we have been surprised that Ford has not influenced Volvo at all. This car drives, handles, and has the same mannerisms as our previous Volvos. This car continues to bring me back to the reason why I bought my first Volvo in Sweden 20 years ago. It's roomy, practical, fuel efficient (about 23 avg.), and a car that you are always happy to get into. Knowing that Volvo has never let me down on trips and is one of the safest cars on the road always reassures me why I purchase them. Don't let just any mechanic work on a Volvo.

Favorite Features

Comfy heated seats, great traction in snow and rain, reliable, quite handsome, safe, good gas mileage for such a heavy car, very quick compared to previous Volvos I've owned. It's the best wagon you can get for the money!

Suggested Improvements

Transmission is blahhhh. A new transmission was put in a year or so ago at approx 65K. Transmission still jumps sometimes when put into drive, but told that it was just a quirk with this new transmission. Also, the square profile cross bars are really noisy!

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Volvo Ocean Race Edition

Written by: Prui's Mom on 07/29/2007

Vehicle

2002 Volvo XC AWD 4dr Wagon (2.4L 5cyl Turbo 5A)

Review

The 5-cylinder turbo has all the power and perk necessary for climbing mountains, passing or cruising the highways. This car is sturdy, quiet, responsive and holds the road on slippery winter roads. Last 1000 mile road trip it got 28.8 MPG. Avg. 26 MPG in around-town use. Safety, beauty, power and fun to drive; what more do you need?

Favorite Features

Power/heater leather seats, defrost is better than any other, back seat fold- down system, auto-manual transmission, dog barrier, standard tow hitch, Ocean Race logo.

Suggested Improvements

Door locks and power window electronics are poor quality. Back seat legroom is not as expected in a car of this size and quality.

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80K and still in love with this wagon...

Written by: stan on 10/08/2006

Vehicle

2002 Volvo XC AWD 4dr Wagon (2.4L 5cyl Turbo 5A)

Review

This wagon is still tight after 80k miles, trips through snowbound Sierras and summer deserts. A new set of scorpion tires at 50K (a perfectly matched tire for this car, BTW) is the only repair or replacement required so far. Very unassuming at stoplights, this car is low on the police radar, but punch the accelerator and see what happens when the turbo kicks in...

Favorite Features

Super Power and Performance. 25 miles per gallon no matter how I drive - very respectable for this large wagon. The disappearing dashboard cupholder is very convenient as are the stereo controls on the steering wheel. Dark tinted windows added for a meaner look.

Suggested Improvements

Volvo should bring back the disappearing dashboard cup holder - 2002 appears to be the last year it was offered?

12 out 12 people found this review helpful

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Bad Choice for a Used Car

Written by: 4ocious on 11/04/2005

Vehicle

2002 Volvo XC AWD 4dr Wagon (2.4L 5cyl Turbo 5A)

Review

I purchased this wagon from Carmax with 46,500 miles. Since the day I bought it it has been nothing but TROUBLE! In fact I almost returned it but ignored my instinct to do so.To their credit Carmax has taken care of all the problems under their 30-day warranty. So far, new brakes and rotors, drivers side headlight, numerouis electrical problems, numerous bulb replacements and the list goes on and on and, did I mention numerous electrical problems? The ride is great, it's comfortable and safe but, the build quality is poor and I'm now convinced the long term reliability of this car is just not there. Consider another car-this is my second and last Volvo. I'm going to trade it in for a BMW.

Favorite Features

Safe, comfotable, great looks for a wagon!

Suggested Improvements

Bring a good QA team in and redesign the car! Have I mentioned the numerous electrical problems that plague the 2001-2002 V70XC Cross Country wagon? Watch out, they will drive you crazy!

5 out 8 people found this review helpful

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comfort at a price

Written by: lamb on 04/10/2005

Vehicle

2002 Volvo XC AWD 4dr Wagon (2.4L 5cyl Turbo 5A)

Review

I bought the xc new 3 years ago and have put about 20,000 miles on a year. I am now in the process of selling this car because I have put 3 sets of tires on this car. The AWD system eats tires. The standard Pirelli lasted me 24,000 miles. I then put on swedish made tires and they are no better. I rotate the tires and alignment is good, but I continue to go through tires. Now the car is pulling to the right, and 3 different dealerships can't seem to find the problem. It's very unfortunate to have this problem as this is my 2nd Volvo. (no problems with my 1990 740 GL) The XC is very comfortable and nice looking, but the quality is gone. It is nothing more than an American car now.

Favorite Features

Comfortable seats, great sound system, onboard computer, messaging system is convenient. A lot of cargo space for a non suv type car.

Suggested Improvements

Terrible tire wear. cheap doors, very easily get "dinged" in the parking lot. The trunk in not even metal. couldn't put a ribbon magnet on the rear because it's fiberglass not metal. Vovlo quality has gone below standard. No longer "the tank" that it was known for, yet the price continues to rise

6 out 10 people found this review helpful

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Magnus

Written by: Magnus on 02/11/2005

Vehicle

2002 Volvo XC AWD 4dr Wagon (2.4L 5cyl Turbo 5A)

Review

I am a long time Volvo owner. Bjorn a 1973 164E, Leif a 1994 850 & Magnus a 2002 XC70, each one having its own virtues. I have owned this car for just three weeks now and I know I am a guy and I am supposed to like my car but I really like this XC70. I have driven my Father XC90 across country (US) and yes it is very nice, but I live in San Francisco, the closest I get to off-road is skiing in Tahoe. It is quite nimble. This engine is designed to compete on the German Autobahn. The 5 speed automatic transmission steers up the right amount of turbo boast to propel you from 60 to 90 mph faster than you can say C-H-P. With 39.8” of head room I fit. The rear mounted CD 10 pack is a must.

Favorite Features

CD 10 pack Ride Quality Head room I am 6'2" and carry all of my height in my body and with 39.8 of head room I fit even in the back seat. Agile manors Good looks Turbo engine View of instruments On board computer Front Seats Heated seats ABS AWD Did I say good looks

Suggested Improvements

Option I would get: 11 speaker Dolby surround sound Fain sensor Back up sensors DVD navigation

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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It's my opinion

Written by: Greg Cliff on 07/11/2004

Vehicle

2002 Volvo XC AWD 4dr Wagon (2.4L 5cyl Turbo 5A)

Review

After 24,000 miles the car has been flawless. I did have some suspension and cup holder issues, but the Resnak dealership was behind me all the way with quick service and a free rental car.

Favorite Features

Reliable, comfortable, excellent design. I love the seat warmers. This wagom hauls....

Suggested Improvements

Less exterior plastic on the bumpers and wheel flares. The radio is not the easiest to use.

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Great Car!

Written by: K@C on 10/20/2003

Vehicle

2002 Volvo XC AWD 4dr Wagon (2.4L 5cyl Turbo 5A)

Review

VERY SAFE - did a 360' in bad weather on the interstate and all was intact... would have flipped in any other vehicle. Issues: lights are a problem... this is the second Volvo I've owned where it seems that all the lights on the vehicle seem to burn out at once. Message system is very handy but it's also very annoying! Not happy with tires - just had to replace at 35k miles. And they are NOT cheap! Other: floor mats; paint job: had small issues like a passing bird... that have left permanent marks in the paint that one would think washing right away would take care of.

Favorite Features

Safety, quiet ride, stereo.

Suggested Improvements

Random squeaks, short-lived floor mats (the rings that hold them on the floor come off right away), lights burning out all at once.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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so far so good

Written by: preacher on 05/25/2003

Vehicle

2002 Volvo XC AWD 4dr Wagon (2.4L 5cyl Turbo 5A)

Review

Never did I think I was going to buy a Volvo, now that I have one, I'm ready to get another! What a great car. Except for the "soccer mom" comments my buddies give me (I'm a guy), this car is perfect for anyone that needs a car to take surfing, skiing, road trips to grandma's, etc. and it hauls as much as my Suburban - kinda. The workmanship is flawless and well laid out. The leather seats are recliner quality, my only complaint is the heated seats don't quite get warm enough. Road noise is vitually non-existend. It's more fun to drive than the Passat GLX wagon I replaced it with alot better looking. I'm sold. Now, I want the S60R!

Favorite Features

Quality. Styling. Sound system. Leather seat quality and comfort. Performance.

Suggested Improvements

better fuel economy.

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