2004 Volvo XC90 Review
Fuel Economy
16 - 19 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
Easy to drive and easy on the eyes, Volvo's first foray into the SUV arena has everything it needs to compete in this highly competitive category.
Pros
Safe as a bank vault, plush ride, feels smaller than it is, high-quality interior materials, ample cargo room.
Cons
Turbocharged T6 engine not well suited to SUV duty, third-row seating takes up too much second-row space.
What's New for 2004
Changes are minimal for the XC90's second year on the market. All models get wheel and tire upgrades -- 2.5Ts will wear 225/70R17 rubber and T6s will wear 235/65R17 rubber, but both get the same 17-inch "Neptune" wheels. Ice White is a new exterior color choice. Stand-alone options now include a wood steering wheel, aluminum dash inlays and a leather shift knob.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Have NOT Experienced Any Negatives
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Volvo XC90 T6 AWD 4dr SUV (2.9L 6cyl Turbo 4A)
Review
My wife and I ordered our XC-90 through a local dealership then went over to Sweden to test drive it for a week. Volvo shipped it back for us 10 days later. The vehicle has been perfect for the past 6 years. I am however, quite concerned with all the negative reviews here. Of all the vehicles I've owned throughout my life, I must admit that this XC-90 beats them all by far.
Favorite Features
It's without doubt, the finest styled SUV on the highway, even today! Acceleration, steering response, engine response, comfort (especially long trip comfort), interior lighting and egonomics, all well done.
Suggested Improvements
Quieter underhood AC compressor. More modern stereo and CD in-dash system. Compared to my Jeep Grand Cherokee stereo, the XC-90 is antiquated.
Proud to Drive my Volvo
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Volvo XC90 2.5T AWD 4dr SUV (2.5L 5cyl Turbo 5A)
Review
Bought my car new and have been very proud of it, and have really enjoyed driving it. Will be passing it along to my 16 year old son and am confident it will be a safe and reliable car for him. It's the first car I've owned past 2 years (we're on year 6, mile 90K+) by choice. I haven't found anything else I'd rather own.
Favorite Features
Ability to shift to manual drive TOO FUN!; looks great!; storage in back or seats for 2; outstanding firm, tight, reliable handling (even at year six); responsive steering; awesome acceleration!; short drop down door in back; great temp mgmt.; takes regular unleaded gas!!
Suggested Improvements
Overall upkeep expensive. Brakes and tires have to be replaced FAR too often and are FAR too expensive; put clock where passengers can see it; sound system too complicated; turning radius needs to be tighter; need more leg room in 3rd row; better gas mileage
Transmission exploded after one month
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 4 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Volvo XC90 T6 AWD 4dr SUV (2.9L 6cyl Turbo 4A)
Review
Do not buy this year xc90 under ANY circumstances. Had it one and a half months, transmission exploded. Car has low miles (45,000) and I bought the aftermarket warranty. They will not cover the loss due to a clip failure in the transmission, which fails due to a too short lube tube from the pan. Thumbs way down.
Favorite Features
It would be nice if it didn't blow up.
Suggested Improvements
Class action law suit anyone?
Volvo for life? Not a long one.
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 4 | Reliability: | 2 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Volvo XC90 T6 AWD 4dr SUV (2.9L 6cyl Turbo 4A)
Review
This car looks great, seats 7 semi- comfortably, is great in the snow, and will spend as much time in the shop as on the road. O2 sensors out at 50k. Spark plugs needed replaced at 50k. Transmission needed replaced at 61k. Volvo service won't stand behind the car. I was told directly that "Volvo for life" is "Just a slogan." Don't let the pretty looks and solid reputation fool you. The newer Volvos are trouble. Expensive trouble at that.
Favorite Features
Looks.
Suggested Improvements
How about a transmission that works for more than 5 years? Don't put controls on the steering wheel where a driver would put their hands to drive. Stand behind your product.
Radio Problems
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 5 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Volvo XC90 2.5T AWD 4dr SUV (2.5L 5cyl Turbo 5A)
Review
My XC-90 has had very unusual problems, so the dealer informs me. One month out of warranty, the rear bearings needed to be replaced. The headlight covers are pitted and dis colored. The wheel nuts had to be replaced twice. The first time for rust the second time for wear???? The very last repair and most upsetting was for a new infotainment module. The problem began when the radio began looking like a disco. The lights began flashing and periodically the radio would shut off and the display would go blank. I can live without the radio, but when this problem corrupted the Air bag system to the point it might not work, I had to have it fixed at a cost of$1350.00 Volvo would do nothing
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
Larger rear wheel bearings to handle the load of this vehicle. They seem to be too small to handle the load. Better chrome plating on the wheel bolts, to eliminate the rust and stroger bolts to reduce the wear. Lastly,a Heat sink for the module as the heat generated caused the module to fail.
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