Volvo XC90 Review (2002-2014)

What is the Volvo XC90?

The Volvo XC90, which was unveiled in Detroit in January 2002, is a luxury SUV that rivals cars such as the BMW X5, Land Rover Discovery, Lexus RX and Volkswagen Touareg.

Unlike some of its competitors, however, the XC90 – which was the Swedish company’s first dedicated SUV model – was offered with seven seats. It also sought to tackle many of the issues encountered in other SUVs; for example, it was designed to offer a flat cargo area, composed handling and good fuel economy. It was replaced by the second-generation XC90 in 2015.

How practical is it?

The third row of seats helped it in this aim, and although they were best reserved for children as adults would find the lack of room challenging over a longer distance, they still offered an extra string to the XC90’s bow that most of its rivals simply couldn’t match.

That wasn’t all the XC90 had to offer, though, with solid-feeling build quality and a refined, comfortable cabin that offered excellent visibility. It was just as practical as the company claimed it to be, too, with a vast and easily accessible 615-litre boot, plus space for five and their luggage.

What's it like to drive?

As intended, the XC90 proved an easy car to drive despite its size. It also rode superbly, was quiet, stopped well and its performance was acceptable. The initial diesel offering wasn’t particularly refined or quick, dispatching the 0-62mph sprint in 12.3 seconds, but the smooth six-cylinder petrol could achieve the same in a swifter 9.3 seconds.

Outright performance wasn’t the Volvo’s intent, mind, and it did weigh some two tonnes, so you could forgive it for being a little pedestrian. However, it didn’t handle as well as alternatives such as the X5, with the BMW offering better steering feel, more engaging dynamics and reduced body roll.

Technology, equipment & infotainment

The XC90 also introduced an array of advanced safety features, including stability control systems and inflatable side curtain airbags for all three rows of seats. Safety has long been one of Volvo’s fortes and, unsurprisingly, the XC90 promptly attained the maximum five-star rating for adult protection from crash test experts Euro NCAP.

Initially, Volvo offered the XC90 with a choice of a flexible five-cylinder, 2.4-litre D5 diesel engine or a twin-turbocharged, 2.9-litre straight-six T6 petrol engine. A Geartronic automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive (AWD) were standard, but manual gearboxes would later be introduced for some versions.

Standard equipment was extensive, with the entry-level S model featuring alloy wheels, an eight-speaker stereo system, climate control, cruise control and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror. An array of options were available, too, including a Winter Pack that added heated seats and a Cross Country Pack that added extra body protection, running boards and a load carrier.

Volvo’s XC90 subsequently proved a popular option when it was new, and it won many awards. Buying a used one today requires a little more consideration, though, as running costs can be high and some examples are getting tired. But, if you need the space and find a car that’s been well looked after, the Volvo’s cosseting, safe and flexible nature could make it a great option.

Volvo XC90 running costs

Unsurprisingly, considering it’s a two-tonne SUV, the XC90 won’t prove particularly cheap to run. Fuel bills will be fairly hefty, VED is costly and consumables and servicing will be expensive as well. Most versions cost upwards of £330 a year to tax, for example, while the higher-emitting models – such as the 3.2-litre six and V8 – cost £580.

The saving grace is that the D5 version, as well as being at the lower end of that tax scale, can be more tolerable on the running costs front than expected. Volvo has always claimed an economy figure of some 31-34mpg, depending on model, and owners report that most can average around 30mpg in the real world.

That’s not bad for an older SUV, especially one as large and as heavy as the XC90. Variants such as the 3.2-litre petrol can average in the high 20mpg range if driven gently, but it’s otherwise best to be prepared for worse, while the V8 will struggle to do much better than 20mpg in the real world.

Servicing is required every year, so be prepared to spend up to some £500 on an annual basis, and many of the engine options have a timing belt rather than a chain, entailing a bigger bill every few years. If you’re looking at a used example, ascertain whether it needs a timing belt and, if so, when it was last done. Otherwise, you’ll have to budget several hundred to have it renewed.

Don’t overlook aspects such as tyre costs, either. The smallest tyre options, if you go for a decent branded tyre, will cost upwards of £120 a corner. If you buy a car and subsequently find you need to change all four, you could be landed with an unexpected and unpleasant bill.

Insurance costs are likely to be steep as well, given that many models sit in high insurance groups, so remember to get a quote or two before jumping in with both feet.

Volvo XC90 reliability

A new XC90 would come with a competitive three-year, 60,000-mile warranty, a three-year, unlimited-mileage paintwork warranty and an eight-year warranty against perforation by rust.

Those original warranties have all long expired, however, but the XC90 isn’t a terribly unreliable car. If you find one that’s been properly maintained and looked after, problems tend to be limited to electrical issues and minor faults.

The diesel and turbocharged versions are more complicated, though, so make sure there aren’t any running issues. Be mindful of buying a well-used example, too, as sorting out lots of minor issues and cosmetic wear could quickly get expensive.

Additionally, if you’re looking at an automatic one, ask if the transmission fluid has ever been changed. If it has, it’s indicative of proper care and should grant the Geartronic transmission a longer service life.

When it comes to picking out a used XC90, remember to check it against the government’s recall website. Quite a few recalls have been issued, some of which applied to safety-critical systems, so check any prospective purchase out online and find out whether the issues have been addressed.

Unfortunately, if you want to keep things simple, Volvo’s own used approved scheme only covers vehicles up to seven years old and with up to 100,000 miles on the clock, so no first-generation XC90s will be offered.

That means, if you want one, you’ll have to go through an independent dealer or opt for a private sale. If you go through a dealer, though, there may be a warranty option available that could at least give you some protection against major grief. Alternatively, if you just want a big and luxurious SUV that won’t throw up unexpected bills, you might be better off with a dependable Lexus RX.