Used 2021 Volvo XC90 Consumer Reviews
Used XC90 for sale
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 XC90, so we've included reviews for other years of the XC90 since its last redesign.
Big money but ala carte options have you out $$$
Tony, 06/10/2020
2020 Volvo XC90 T6 Inscription 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger 8A)
47 of 67 people found this review helpful
Well, I am 2 months into owning my XC90 and I am shocked at a few things. I bought the top of the line model, almost every option (although SHOCKINGLY) I did not realize Volvo skimped on giving me a hitch. Yes, the car has a hitch that "pop out" with the press of a button. I was assured it had it, had to have it, but upon COVID delivery, found out after the documents were signed it did not have it, and this is a $71,000 car. $71k! and no hitch from Volvo - the alleged, "all weather" car. That said, here are my observations. The entertainment center SUCKS during real world driving. You really need to set things before you leave or pull over - very dangerous. The menus are still confusing a month in and finding things remains a mystery. Safety? I bought the version that allegedly brakes for you, but I have tested it both on purpose and by accident and it seems to fail to go off every time. It constantly warns you that you are too close with the heads up display, but DOES NOT BRAKE. So this may be a recall item because it is on the build sheet. The fuel mileage is AWFUL. I am averaging 14.9 miles per gallon. Yes, a 4 cylinder that averages 14.9. My Jeep with a lift kit and huge 37" wheels gets 15.5 mpg. Where on earth is the 20 mpg I was supposed to get? I have taken no less than 50 trips and my fuel mileage remains very, very low. This seems to be a huge problem because 14mpg is atrocious for this car if that is the case in the city. Seats. Wow, blew me away when I sat in it the first time but I have to say I constantly feel like I am being pushed forward. I feel they are not deep enough and even angle my seats slightly up so I do not feel like I will slide forward. With the massaging on, I think it is even worse. The automatic thigh support is nice, but going through the menus to adjust it, on the fly, again, very dangerous. PHONE: EEKs, this may be the worst part. I take calls all the time in the car and have to crank the volume to 50 (halfway) to even hear people. And this, with the higher end stereo. Why does the volume suffer on calls so badly? Comfort: Overall not bad, but am I thrilled about the above 45 days in? No. Again, my version is likely far better than 85% of the people who will read this as the car has almost every option Volvo order, save the aforementioned lacking of a hitch. OMG - terrible it does not have a hitch at $70,000!!! That said, it drives well, lags a bit on take off with the 4 cylinder but gets up there as good as most SUV's. NOISES: I will say, upon exit, the car makes all kinds of weird creeks and noises. I know it is brand new, but it is a little unnerving. Little pings, bangs and creaking of the suspension or something. The car does lower when you get out, but it is not that noise. Final note: KEY FOBS: Very nice looking, among the nicest LOOKING fobs regarding of buying a Bugatti or a Volvo. That said, the buttons are EXTREMELY hard to see and the beeping when you lock the car is so low, you cannot even hear it from inside your house. What car does not sound loud when you lock it? Well, the Volvo XC90 for one. So yes, there are many things that have disappointed me after buying it. Again, test driving it - we loved it. It looked great, sounded great, had no real issue and that is why we landed on it as the car to buy. But I will say the lack of power for the third row seats (at $70,000 or even higher), the infotainment, the seats pushing forward positioning, the noises, and the lack of a hitch and other things at this price really makes me wonder if I picked the right car. They say it takes time to get use to - well, I am 45 days in, and have 3-stared the car. There is your answer.
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Not Worth It! Disappointment!
Annie , 11/22/2021
2021 Volvo XC90 T6 R-Design 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger 8A)
15 of 21 people found this review helpful
I really believe this is the most overrated luxury SUV currently on the market. I can only say I’m glad I only leased it and did not purchase it. If I could get out of my lease early I would. Volvo touts unparalleled safety but the accident avoidance and lane keep assist etc make the car more dangerous because they don’t work properly. I have had a few instances where the car will engage the collision avoidance feature for no reason. Once on the freeway while I was traveling at 75 mph. It slammed on the brakes and several cars had to swerve out of the away to avoid us. I am pregnant and had my 2 yr old in the car. When I took it in Volvo threw up their hands and basically said it was a software issue and nothing to do about it and sent me on my way. Outside of that the tech is not intuitive at all and difficult to use, AC controlled via the touchscreen is a pain, it has poor gas mileage, uncomfortable seats, lacks in cabin space in comparison to its competitors, is a bit of a noisy drive, and with only a 4 cylinder engine for a car of its size it’s lacks tremendously in pick and the overall driving experience is lack luster. I could forgive a lot of this if I felt comfortable with its safety features but that’s almost the Sierra part. I truly do not understand the hype around the car and I don’t recommend it at all. Far better cars on the market
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Think twice before buying
Bert D., 12/14/2022
2021 Volvo XC90 T5 Momentum 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
11 of 15 people found this review helpful
Very disappointing. In the first year we had to replace headlights because they were very dim, and it was dangerous driving with almost no visibility. Car did not brake well and I almost had three accidents rear ending people. Brakes not strong enough for this car. Car did not handle well. For an expensive car they need better engineering. I traded car in after six months.
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a disappointing purchase
poor value for the money, 03/05/2021
updated 09/13/2023
2021 Volvo XC90 T6 Inscription 4dr SUV AWD w/6 Passenger Seating (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger 8A)
33 of 49 people found this review helpful
For a claimed luxury car this was a disappointment as it lacks or has faulty features. Many features normally included in even mid-level cars are lacking or poorly executed. Examples are poor voice recognition, unable to reprogram or replace valet remote, only manual steering wheel adjustments, car does not light up when approaching & cant be adjusted, although doors unlock, no way to change this, no automatic door locking on exit, must press remote, cant change this, way too noisy above 30mpg, poor or inadequate computer interface and small screen, rear hatch too low even in the uppermost position, easy to hit head, I am 6'4", inadequate storage cubicles, poor gas mileage (now 12.4 MPG) in mixed suburban driving, less in city driving about 11 mpg) about 19mpg on highway missing many settings & controls to personalize a vehicle, poor phone charging power needs poor/nonexistant integration with android phone, buried or undecipherable menu items buried, tpms does not show individual tire pressures so actual pressures are a mystery. Otherwise nice comfortble ride & good power & handling just wish it were better thought out for the money for an XC90 Inscription T6. Perhaps the worst disappointment is the very poor gas mileage, when driven softly and in eco mode the best we can get out of it is about 12.4 MPG in suburban driving here in Florida. Took one steady 107 mile 75MPH trip to Ft. Lauderdale with unusually light/normal traffic and all the car could only manage is 19.6 MPG, Don't know about the EPA ratings as they are exceedingly optimistic on this car; perhaps someone at Volvo tested the car up on a lift with no load on the engine. The collision assistance also does not work well as it clangs on non threatening cars going off to the sides and does not begin braking or stop when in real danger, having poorly tested when approaching an obstacle I had to manually brake as I did not wish to collide as the system did nothing!! Lane keeping assist also is worrysome as it does not maintain proper lane discipline activating only when the tires are on the outer lane markings while the drivers view sees the car overdriving the lane marking forcing active avoidance.Volvo seems they seem stuck 8 years behind everyone else and seem to be oblivious to modern requirements as Honda, Acura, Infinity Hyundai Lincoln and others have. I apologize for the poor review as I expected better having passed on the similar Acura MDX awd and Lincoln Nautilus Black Label and Hyundai Genesis . Having lived with the car for over two years I am getting used to the issues noted earlier and would now be more accepting but this is more getting used to its issues and dealing with them without the angst I initially felt.. In summary, issues are the same but I am less sanguine however poor mileage is still an issue of some concern esp with high gas prices.
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Scandinavian beauty
Sebin Jose, 12/01/2019
2020 Volvo XC90 T6 Momentum 4dr SUV AWD w/6 Passenger Seating (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger 8A)
8 of 11 people found this review helpful
Fabulous safety features..elegant style..luxurious interior..
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