2008 Volvo XC90 Consumer Reviews

Solid, Comfortable

Written by: dackmd on 09/21/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volvo XC90 3.2 Special Edition 4dr SUV AWD (3.2L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Bought this XC90 after 4 years in a Caddy SRX. Looked at and drove an MDX, ML350, Highlander, Enclave and a BMW X- 5. All nice, well built autos, but when you sit in the XC90, shut the door and drive you feel safe and comfortable. Controls are well layed out and everything is easy to use. No useless extras in the dash to "play" with. It has a solid feel on the road, either 4 lane interstate or two lane back roads. Recently took an 800 mile round trip and averaged 22 mpg. Not bad for going 75 to 80 mph.

Favorite Features

Dash layout, seats, exterior style and AWD.

Suggested Improvements

Automatic door locks would be nice, got used to them on my other cars.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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My 2nd XC 90 - 2008 V8

Written by: eastcoastjim on 09/08/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volvo XC90 V8 4dr SUV AWD (4.4L 8cyl 6A)

Review

We leased our 2nd XC 90 in August 2008, and couldn't 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 consumer's 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!

Favorite Features

V-8 power. Comfort/ride. Seating for 7 that works for kids

Suggested Improvements

MP3/ipod external jack: even your sister company Ford has them. More storage space for cell phone, etc. Include class III towing hitch if you want to call it an SUV

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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I Love This Car

Written by: Laura on 07/23/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volvo XC90 V8 Sport 4dr SUV AWD (4.4L 8cyl 6A)

Review

I got this car mostly because I needed a change from my previous black MDX and black RX300. I got the passion red V8 Sport because it looked terrific and drove nicely on the test drive. I love this car because 2 months after I got it I was in a collision (head on with air bag deployment) with my two toddlers and elderly parents on the way to my daughter's birthday party and we all walked away with a few minor bruises. The tow truck driver and police officers all said to me "thank God you were in a Volvo." The dealer made my car perfect again and I love it more than ever.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

8 out 12 people found this review helpful

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New Volvo for me

Written by: MatthewP on 07/13/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volvo XC90 3.2 Special Edition 4dr SUV AWD (3.2L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Within two months the windshield crack not cover by the manufacturing warranty. Too small for 7 seaters, will not fit teen for a trip.

Favorite Features

Side blind spot, smooth drive, good driver seat for long drive. Well built interior.

Suggested Improvements

Fuel economy, more storage. This car is not for 7 people!

8 out 10 people found this review helpful

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Love it!

Written by: Lars Hoej on 06/16/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volvo XC90 V8 4dr SUV AWD (4.4L 8cyl 6A)

Review

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 wife's Acura MDX. Second row a bit cramped, but as it is meant for kids and they are more interested in the entertainment system, it's 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 it's hard not to use the power.

Favorite Features

BLIS, xenon headlights, stereo, easy chair folding, and the front seats.

Suggested Improvements

As the 2nd row seats can move forward, it should be possible to make them move back to give more legroom. Would like to see the suspension option found on S80 to change between sport, comfort and normal.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Great Car/Terrible Mileage

Written by: Chris on 06/09/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volvo XC90 3.2 4dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 6A)

Review

My wife has always wanted the XC90, so we took the plunge when the lease on our Pathfinder was up. It's a beautiful car, and we've 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 I've been used to over the years. Only problem, the gas mileage is horrible. We're aveaging 14.8. But hey, what do you expect for a car that is "dripping" in safety features, that's 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!

Favorite Features

Super soft leather, very supportive seats. Rock solid body & safety features. And, for an SUV of its size, it corners pretty well!

Suggested Improvements

Power liftgate. Standard Nav. One touch window rolldown from the alarm remote. Bluetooth. Better gas mileage!

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Always in the Shop! Stay Away

Written by: Volvo XC-90 on 05/25/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volvo XC90 3.2 4dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I was fooled into buying the XC-90 after the arrival of our first child. Truth is, this has been the worst car we've 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! Don't be fooled by the safety recommendations, all newer luxury SUV's 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.

Favorite Features

Styling.

Suggested Improvements

Horrible reliability.

8 out 12 people found this review helpful

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Volvo XC 90 DOn't buy one

Written by: SAB on 05/06/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volvo XC90 3.2 4dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 6A)

Review

First of all horrible mileage, 13.6 MPG average over 2 years. We had multiple problems with this SUV, loose front end, side frame supports needed adjustments. Needed new tires after only 20K miles ??? no warranty ?? I will say the dealer was very good about everything, even though it took them 4 tries to fix one of the main problems.

Favorite Features

Only one i can think of is that we got the built in DVD, when it works it's good.

Suggested Improvements

6 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Volvo V-8

Written by: Dave on 04/24/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volvo XC90 V8 4dr SUV AWD (4.4L 8cyl 6A)

Review

My new XC-90 V-8 is a terrific vehicle. The ride is smooth & comfortable. Power from the V-8 makes driving fun. Volvo has the most comfortable seats in the business. Gas mileage has been decent at an average of 17.5-18.5 mpg in mixed local driving. This is better than my previous Ford Explorer V-8 (16.5-17.5) & my friend's 6 cyl XC-90. The steering is a bit lighter than I would like, but handling is crisp. The new blind spot warning system is very helpful on the highway. All in all, a great vehicle.

Favorite Features

Seats, Geartronic transmission, V-8 power,reverse sensing, blind spot warning system.

Suggested Improvements

Would like a little better steering feel. Base radio a little weak for a vehicle of this price.

10 out 11 people found this review helpful

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Good Deal for the Money

Written by: RD on 04/14/2008

Vehicle

2008 Volvo XC90 V8 4dr SUV AWD (4.4L 8cyl 6A)

Review

We came out of a BMW X5 4.4 and couldn't be happier. Performance is the same, ride is sporty but not as stiff; we pretty much got this thing loaded and got a free Garmin Nav unit as well. Ended up with the V8 because we didn't feel the 6 cyl could do the job. Fuel economy in 600 miles of in- town driving around 16.5 mpg; pretty good for a heavy car. The biggest thing for us was keeping the same size SUV and getting more interior room and with the 3rd seat down, there is plenty for her and the baby's stuff. We got ours at the end of the month and after negotiating, they practically gave this thing away. Get the Executive pack with different leather and the blindspot info deal; worth it.

Favorite Features

Executive package. Blind spot info system. Dyna-audio stereo, 19 in wheels. Ember Black metallic paint

Suggested Improvements

Diesel! Is anyone listening? Integrate a factory nav unit that's not so expensive! The Garmin is great though. Power telescoping steering wheel, Panorama sunroof

9 out 9 people found this review helpful

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