2009 Volvo XC90 AWD 3.2 I6

Summary:

Impossible to let it go!

Faults:

Nothing. Come on; it's only 2.5 years ;)

General Comments:

Cons: It's a little hard on gas, even for an AWD SUV.

Pros: Everything else! It has a kind of soul you hardly find in other ones. It's not a car you fall in love with in a test drive; you just love it more at the end of every week!

I am wondering how much I spent on those crappy Japanese cars I used to own, and everybody calls them reliable! On the other hand, a Volvo bill may be high, but you rarely will have one. Don't tell me it will start after 4 years; my experience with Toyota & Nissan says it may begin during the very first year too...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th April, 2011

14th Apr 2011, 09:20

It's good to hear these comments. Volvo's have soul. It's hard to say what or why, but their personality's grow through. My S60 is like that - every time I drive it, I see it as being more than a car. I have an agreement that I will look after the car as long as it looks after me - and it does :-) BMW's may be sportier, Merc's may be more exclusive and Lexus may be more reliable (Don't know how though, my S60 hasn't exactly been unreliable!)... but I wouldn't trade mine in for one. Drive a Volvo for longer than just a few miles and you'll see what I mean...

1st Dec 2011, 15:42

I own a 2.5T 2006 XC90 with 70,200 miles - as of 01 Dec 2011 - and I love it. It has an incredible ride, extremely comfortable front seats, lots of cargo space, 7 passenger seating, and great maneuverability for a 4500 lbs car -- What's not to like? I look forward to driving it everyday. In 2 years of ownership, I've had only one major maintenance problem -- right front bearing/$450 to repair.

I feel sorry for BMW X5 and Lexus RX drivers, and drivers of other luxury midsize SUVs. They don't know what they're missing. My mother has a Lexus RX, and she likes my XC90 better.

PS. Most of the XC90 'bugs' were worked out by 2006, and online reviews improve considerably from 2006 onward.

4th Feb 2016, 20:56

I have a 2004 2.5T AWD with 282,000 on it as I type.

Wheel bearings are a common failure, but I just started putting aftermarket ones on, that cost 1/4 of the price (they last as long) and other than that, just regular oil changes...

Sway bar link kits are frequent too.

I think the T6 and the first year with the V8 are the ones to worry about.