Used 2009 Volvo XC90 Consumer Reviews
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I Love This Car
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.
Over 40k miles
I purchased my 3.2 AWD with 22k miles when it was two years old. I have since put about 45k miles on it. What repairs have I done? Only one thing that I can think of besides brakes and tires. An emissions pump. I consider one repair outside of maintenance in almost 70k miles acceptable. Because of it's weight if you drive aggressively expect it to eat brakes and tires and gas mileage to be in the teens. The original Pirellis had to be replaced shortly after I bought it because they were worn out. I put Sumitomos on it and have yet to replace them with over 40k miles. I do a pretty even mix of city/highway driving. I anticipate getting another year (15/20k miles) out of them.
- 3.2 4dr SUVMSRP: $9,999266 mi away
- V8 R-Design 4dr SUVMSRP: $5,900967 mi away
- 3.2 4dr SUVMSRP: $6,9951,023 mi away
Volvo Fan
This is my second Volvo XC90 (just traded in my '08 after driving it for two years). I'm surprised that there are not more reviews on this car because we really love ours. Our '08 was t-boned by a driver who ran a red light. I had my two children (5 & 9) in the back seat & none of us suffered any injuries. The other driver totaled his car & suffered from whiplash & minor back injuries. This car is a tank! That's why it does not get very good gas mileage, but I don't mind trading A+ safety for a few more dollars at the gas pump. The XC90 really is a great family car... lots of room, very comfortable, fun to drive, sporty & SAFE!
My 2nd XC 90 - 2008 V8
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!
recommended
The xc90 is an excellent suv for people looking for design, build quality and durability. It has a special scandinavian character that puts it far ahead of other suvs. volvos are famous for thier safety,practicality and longevity. Built like a tank, with one of the most sophisticted premium audio system installed in cars.If you are looking for muscles and performance, this suv is not for you.
2008 XC90 3.2 AWD
Picked up the car at the beginning of July and its been happy driving from day one. The XC90 is a pleasure to drive with the 6 cylinder engine and the versatility of the 7 seat capability is a must for all active SUV owners. A very premium experience.
Was a Volvo Family
We own both the XC90 and S60and have been frustrated with both. In the XC90 past two years, we have collectively had to repair or replace numerous parts and sensors that seem trivial to have to get fix in such an early life of a vehicle. For example, the ignition switch had to be replaced. The right and left side of the seat panel had to be replaced because the plastic cracked. The sunroof leaked. This doesnt cover all the other issues of the S60. Without exaggeration, this is the most we have ever been inside of a service station. We have written to Volvo to share our concerns and got back a get lost attitude. We will never buy another Volvo. Shame on them for their response.
AWESOME SUV!
Leased our 08 XC90 V8 AWD with Premium Package and Bi-Xenons in Feb '08. Best car we've ever owned! 24,000 miles on it so far and love it. No problems! Perfect size......spacious inside, 3rd Row if you need it / lots of cargo room if you don't. 2nd row slides fore and aft to adjust legroom where it's needed most. Excellent interior materials and quality. Drives like a dream. Yamaha-built 4.4L V8 is a ROCKET and has tons of passing power, but will get 22-23 mpg on the highway if you set the cruise at 60-62mph. Yes, this is AWD:) Handles rock solid in the snow if you put snow tires on it. Great car.......we're definitely buying it at the end of the lease
Beware of transmission issues
As represented by MANY blogs, transmission failure is very wide- spread issue. More surprising is the repeat replacement issue. Vovlo doesn't seem to be concerned as there is no public discussin regarding design or manufacturing changes, even for the new models. I fully believe the only reason Volvo has not recalled the vehicle for faulty trany (replacement) is because they haven't been able to link fatalities to the issue. Based on what I am reading and what I am hearing, its only a matter of time. I am very surprised the Luxury Car manufacturer has not taken a more proactive position on this and dealers are very difficult to work with.
2009 V8 R-Design XC90
Excellent performer. Excellent road handling. It is what the manufacturer promises you. This beast, under that deceiving dreamy looking eyes(headlights), really swallow gas when you press for performance. I am not complaining, just a statement because fuel is cheap here, so the petrol consumption doesn't bother me.
Solid, Comfortable
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.
Back for Seconds
We just bought our second XC90 after having owned an 06 since Jan 06. We had such a positive experience and now, with the unbelievable new warranty (five years 60K miles, including all routine maintenance plus wear & tear items) buying another one was a no brainer. It's safe, functional and fun to drive. Only complaints. Lousy gas mileage and third row seats are not great for anyone older than ten.
Best in class
The CX90 is in a class by itself. I drove the 08 MDX (I've owned two), but the V-6 labors, it's still only a five speed, the ride is harsh, and the wind and road noise are too high. The BMW X-3 is a teetering joke, the X-5 3.0 is underpowered, the 4.4 overpriced, besides which the controls are needlessly quirky, the navigation screen miniscule, and the 'leather' looks and feels like 2nd rate plastic. How do they sell those things? The Volvo leather on my premium is sumptuous, the materials and design are great, and the ride responsive but quiet with no wind noise. In short, It's a great ride. And the lease was the same as the the MDX for a car that stickers for 10k more.
Recommend!
We were looking to go upscale for our next SUV. What first caught my eye was the xc60, which is rated very highly. But when we thought about it, we decided to go one larger and get the xc90, which included the third row. True, it's not really made for hauling 7 adults all the time, but it gives us the flexibility to throw a few extra kids on board for outings. Other than that, we find our R-design 3.2 to be classy, fun to drive, we get a lot of compliments, etc. You get luxury and a certain degree of performance as a bonus to safety and versatility. If you want a sports car, buy a sports car. If you want a sophisticated SUV, go Volvo!
Great Car/Terrible Mileage
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!
Great car needs better tires
20,000 trouble free miles in the V-8, average 19.7 mpg in mixed driving. Love the premium leather, the drive train, the ride and quality and the looks. But Volvo shouldn't build a all wheel drive car with the 19" Pirelli Scorpians. They are useless, not to say dangerous, in even light snow, got real noisy after 15,000 miles and were ready for scrap after 20k. I've replaced the with Conti HDC's, which are stock on Mercedes. My only other complaint is the turning radius that resembles a super tanker (supposedly to accommodate the width of the V-8); we call ours the "Queen Mary".
Great value for money
I've now driven almost 2200 miles with my XC90 3.2. No mechanical or other problems. The ride is a bit stiff but that does help the handling. Overall, it is an easy to handle car, but one does notice it is big and heavy. The AWD keeps it on the road all the time and it doesn't flip/ flop turning corners as much as other SUV's. But it does a bit the tendency to go straight when turning corners, probably based on it being a primairily FWD based car. The 3.2 is a nice engine, with enough power to handle the car and a full load of passengers and luggage. I can imagine with the weight of the car that the V8 would be a lot nicer to drive, although the mileage will be even worse.
Scandinavian Delivery
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. I've been a Honda/Acura owner for 30 years. Owned an MDX and test drove a new MDX recently. The Volvo XC90 is the ultimate.
20K+ and Still Liking it
I've driven the XC90 for 20K+ miles still love it. Mileage is almost always over 20. Trips - Norway/Sweden 1,700 miles - 23.8 mpg. Upper Midwest 2,400 - 23.4 mpg. New England - 3,400 miles 23.7 mpg. Amazingly good mileage. Comfort can't be beat. Have had ZERO problems, not even one repair trip to the dealer. It will be a long time before I trade-in this car.
Jury is still out
The wife and I have been driving the XC90 V8 for a little over a year now. The drive is exceptional and the power is second to none. This vehicle drives like a fine tuned sports car and grips the road like velcro. The vehicle is a real head turner going down the road and at traffic lights. Dynaudio is the best. Navigation is OK, but could be a little better with response times. I have missed a turn or two when driving. I am a bit surprised that some of the interior plastic decor parts (pieces that cover some of the metal have fallen off and the middle console is loosey goosey when you go to store something away. We are leasing and will be turning the vehicle in at the end of 2009
Best SUV I have owed thus far
The best SUV in terms of size, look and gas milage I have yet owned...Very classy and great to drive
Love it!
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.
Fun to drive and look at
I was going to buy a Lexus RX350 but told the salesman that I had another appointment at the Volvo dealership that morning. I would most probably come back to close the deal with him after the appointment. After a test drive of Volvo XC90, I changed my mind right away. The car felt smooth, sturdy, and macho, having an excellent road grip at highway curves. I have driven the car for almost 5 months since then and never had a problem with its workmanship. Believe it or not, it is also a head turner on highway. One major complaint I have about the car is gas mileage, so far I have 14.8 m/g. Another complaint is its slow acceleration, but I have learned to live with that.
Love my XC90
I have been looking at this car since it came out and finally took the plunge and purchased new 09 model. Love everything about it. Handles really wheel and very fun to drive. Bought this truck over alot of others for the trunk space for my ridgeback dog/family member and he has plenty of room and his own AC vents. Only downside i have seen is that the rear vents don't work unless the a/c is on.
Solid SUV
We leased this SUV after 7 leases of Volvo cars before it. We had outgrown any car they make and this is a perfect fit. Lots of room, extra row of seats, (not much room there) and all the emenities needed. The ride is solid, plenty of room for me, (6'2'') amd a son of the same size. The premium sound is great, there is more than enough power to enter the highway safely and easily, braking is solid also. Car looks great, very reliable and lots of room in the back for luggage and whatever you pick up at Home Depot. The leather seats are as comfortable as at home, heat is great, have yet to do a summer with the black leather interior, but we are not concerned.
Love volvo
The 2008 xc90 3.2 awd. I'm the second owner of the car and haven't touch 100k. Bought this one after our 08 s80 t6 awd got totalled. It does pick up slower than the tubro charged engine of the s80. But its comfortable to drive. I'm getting 16 mpg. Only things i have had to do to vehicle is basic maintenance item. Filters, spark plugs , brakes and oil. But overall the cost of ownership is low. And you can find parts and videos online to replace things
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Bad Transmissions
Bought a used 2009 Volco XC90. After extensive research found out there are major transmission problems with a lot of their vehicles from around 2008 and back. Worse yet, the cost to have it replaced or repaired is extremely high. Anywhere from $3000 to $7000. There was a class action suit on their vehicles with T6 transmissions. The valve body alone is $1000 just for the part. Regret buying mine but fortunately I know how to do a lot of major work and have no choice but to plow through getting mine fixed. Just read many of the Volvo transmission forums on the internet and you'll see the extensive problem that exists.
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Safest SUV, Stop Crying about MPG
People, you're talking a Volvo not a Honda, you will live through a horrific crash, you will have 311hp, this vehicle is safe, and because of that it weighs as much as much larger SUV's so the 13-18 mpg isn't that bad. Stop crying about fuel economy, put your family in a Prius if that's important to you, if you want a truly safe, well built, nice looking SUV this is the truck for you! Remember you get what you pay for, there's a reason that this truck is over $50,000 without things like navigation and rear view cameras, because you are paying for safety! This is another of those "imports" that you can buy and still buy American, Volvo is a proud member of the Ford Motor Company!
2008 Volvo XC90
Bought an xc90 because of appearance, tall trunk space, and clearance what modern suvs compromise. The vehicle is ok nothing special. Interior is cheap quality, leather wears easy, and trims fade quick. There is nothing luxurious about this car. Drives fine, for a heavy car the acceleration and fuel economy is poor, gets stuck in snow easily defeats the entire purpose of ground clearance and the transmission has sloppy shifting and when driving on highway does have a few sweats and rattles. Only good thing about the car is safety and cargo space
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Stranded
At 33k, the car overheated and stranded us. Picked it up from the dealer after two days, happened again. Twice on the hook in a week. That follows 3 days in the shop for a steering angle sensor, and another day for a headlight. The 4.4 is great, the ride is quiet, the interior is designed for adults. But we've driven 800,000 miles in Acuras and Infinities and never been left on the side of the road. It's happened twice in our low mileage XC90 in a week. Plus, no rearward vision and primitive electronics. We're going back to MDX
Take it or leave it
Nice vehicle- not great- 3rd row not really meant for adults- not a ton of luggage space either. A bit sluggish when accelerating. It has a heavy feel to it when you drive it. Could also use some more power steering help. Difficult to turn the wheel at times. My wife loves the fact that it drives like a tank. She feels very safe in it.
Good Deal for the Money
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.
Volvo (like a box of chocolates)
My Volvo XC90 is a second vehicle, bought it off a lease in 09. It has been the most dependable vehicle I have ever owned. I have never had a mechanical problem. I wanted to see its value. From a dependability, quality, and durability vehicle, it is worth a lot more than market. But I understand market. But on the other hand: I also owned (bought new) a Volvo S60, total junk, lots of cheap broken interior parts and mechanical problems. So you never know what your experience will be.....
Way Overpriced
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.
Bought as Replacement
Little things such as the "clock spring" device (located under the passenger seat) had to be replaced at 89,000 miles, but this was covered by warranty. The tire pressure sensors need replacement now...dashboard light is on and tire pressure is fine. We bought this vehicle sight-unseen and it was delivered to us. It was a replacement for our Cadillac SRX that was wrecked. There is no comparison...the Volvo is THE car for us. The Caddy liked to use to use oil...the Volvo requires no added oil between changes and the fuel mileage is a bit better. One little criticism....the turning radius of the XC90 is greater than a 2000 XC 70 we had previously, so it requires a wider swing to get into tight parking areas, certainly something we can live with. We are still very pleased with the Volvo XC90. We also had an idler pulley bearing seize which required replacing the serpentine belt. This required removing the air conditioning compressor to get at things. Otherwise, the car is easy to service....I do my own oil changes and routine maintenance. Two years into owning it and the car is still tight and rattle free. We now have 116,000 miles on it and the only problem thus far is the above mentioned idler pulley and belt which was replaced by a local shop. Unlike previous Volvos, this one is much easier on the tires. We bought the car used and the tires were not new and they have worn down evenly with still at least 40% tread left. We will probably stick with the brand of tires the car came with and we know we will have to replace the tire pressure sensors. One annoying little item is a leak in the window washer line to the tailgate...it is virtually inaccessible to repair! There has to be a way to repair it and the search goes on.
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"Volvo for Life" Great Motto
This is my 2nd XC90. Came out of a great experience in a 2005 XC90 and couldn't 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 didn't like the paddle shifter and it's 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 I'd miss the Turbo. Not at all. Great lease deals make it the perfect family vehicle.
New Volvo for me
Within two months the windshield crack not cover by the manufacturing warranty. Too small for 7 seaters, will not fit teen for a trip.
Some issues
The XC90 looks beautiful. However, it's not the most comfortable car to drive in. There's not too much room in the front for the driver and passenger. At 14,000 I already needed a wheel alignment which is not covered. Also I had problems which needed service on the drivers side chair as well as indicator lights going off on the dash board for no apparent reason. After one year, I'm looking to trade the vehicle in for a SUV that gets better gas mileage. This SUV consumes gas like I consume beer.
Volvo V-8
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.
Worth the money
This Car is a good one , I feel very safe in this vehicle, very dependable with this 3.2 . the size of the car is just right as well, not too big , handles well for an SUV , the interior quality is very good! Mine is loaded with options and I just love the heated seats, I often rent cars while in other cities and my 10 yr old XC90 seats warm up twice as fast as does the interior!! I just love it
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Rugged Swede
Volvo packs a lot in their packages for much less money than other European manufacturers. The car is rugged. After 10 years, not a speck of rust. The interior is still gorgeous and the stereo terrific. The newer models (we just bought a new XC 90) are even better and obviously more up-to-date. They pack more performance in terms of engine power, handling etc., commensurate with the competition. I still think they give you the biggest bang for the buck (not to mention any German competition by name).
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2008 XC 90 is Great
Great car. Enjoy the comfort of the ride. The Sirius radio is a great addition. The SUV lacks armrests for rear passengers. Lack of the armrest is huge disappointment. Lack of armrest made our rear seat passengers uncomfortable. I cannot understand why developers did not include rear seat arm rest for passenger. The styling is great. The car is eye catching. The performance of the front wheel drive is great. Numerous safety features are available.
Initial impressions: Excellent!
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 I've 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! Man's 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 didn't want to live with a mistake for 3 years.
Perfect truck at the right price
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
Overall good
No gargo room with 3 sets of seats hard moving head rests
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I think I got hoodwinked
Always wanted a Volvo XC90. Bought one. Very happy when delivered. Thought I got a safe and reliable tank! Wrong! The car broke and was towed to the dealership after one week of ownership. It is now back in my garage. How do you feel when you shelled out 40k for a SUV that breaks this early in your ownership? I now keep my fingers crossed. Read your state's Lemon Law. I did. I hope I won't need it. I like this car, but...
2008 Volvo XC90 V8s have bad alternators
2008 Volvo XC90 V8s have bad alternators. Do not buy unless the alternator has been replaced. Do not buy at all, because there are more reliable, more comfortable and safer and sportier vehicles in the class available for a better price, unless you want to buy mine. This is not a safe vehicle because it loses power at highway speed and will leave you stranded.
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Very happy so far
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- we've 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 couldn't justify the extra cost and I've never felt I absolutely needed the extra power. One of the best family vehicles out there.
Outstanding Vehicle!
Just took possession of my XC90 and love every minute behind the wheel. The well appointed interior, comfortable seating and smooth and quiet ride makes this vehicle a joy to drive. The XC90 exceeded my expectations.
Movin' up
I recently traded my '06 BMW M3 convertible in for this SUV. I needed the space for our new baby. My rating is slightly lower on performance and fun to drive just based on the fact I have a hard time not comparing it to the M3 - totally different vehicles, but I'm still having a little separation anxiety. I do love this SUV. I did my research and really found this to be the best bang for the buck and it is. I have been a german car owner and vowed to never buy anything else... well Volvo won me over! The Volvo XC90 is fantastic!