Review
/5
- Pros:
- Classy design
- Spacious boot
- Cons:
- Thirsty diesel engines
- Handling no match for modern rivals
- Noisy engines
reviewed by Carbuyer
"The XC90 helped define the modern, family oriented 4x4 when it was launched in 2002, though it's approaching its tenth anniversary, it's still a very appealing car."
At a glance
- The greenest
- D5 AWD (200 bhp) ES Geartronic 5dr
£35,695 - The cheapest
- D5 AWD (200 bhp) ES Geartronic 5dr
£35,695 - The fastest
- D5 AWD (200 bhp) ES Geartronic 5dr
£35,695 - Top of the range
- D5 AWD (200 bhp) Executive Geartronic 5dr
£44,845
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Volvo's XC90 was launched to great fanfare in 2002. It was the first full sized 4x4 from the Swedish car maker, and immediately impressed with its family friendly, seven-seat interior, chunky bodywork and go-anywhere 4x4 system. It's large boot is extremely practical, and at 4,798mm long, there's plenty of space for passengers across this car's three rows of chairs. The split tailgate makes loading and unloading heavy items easier and there are plenty of storage cubbies in the cabin. Fuel economy is not great however, and the D5 diesel engine is loud at high revs. What's more, modern rivals are more responsive and better to drive on winding country roads.
Drive
High ride height compromises agility
There's no doubt that the XC90 is comfortable on the open road. It's just that it's high ride height and supple suspension dulls the car's handling. It's not as responsive, or as composed, on winding, bumpy roads as newer rivals, like the Land Rover Discovery and BMW X5. It is quick in a straight line however, with the D5 diesel engine offering impressive acceleration.
Comfort
Front seats are extremely comfortable
You can't beat the comfort offered by the XC90's armchair-like front seats. This, combined with the car's high ride height and commanding driving position, makes the car a brilliant long distance cruiser. The D5 diesel engine is noisy at high revs and under hard acceleration, but wind and road noise are well contained by the cabin's generous insulation. Front and middle seats are spacious, but rear chairs are only really big enough for children.
Reliability
There are plenty of safety features
Volvo founded its reputation on the safety of its cars and the robustness of their engineering. And the XC90 lives up to that. There's an innovative roll over protection system, plus anti whiplash head restraints and a side impact protection system too. The cabin is not the most modern offering in this sector, but the cabin is well built and there have been no major recalls since 2006.
Practicality
The spacious boot is easy to access
When it comes to packing for a weekend away, the XC90 is tough to beat. Its spacious boot offers 615-litres of space with the rearmost seats folded away, and is easy to access, thanks to a split tailgate. With the interior converted to offer seven-seats there's still 249 litres of space on offer, and this is complemented by lots of storage cubbies, dotted through the cabin.
Value for money
Resale values are not as strong as you might expect
No version of the XC90 is cheap, but resale values are disappointing too - the car is no longer modern enough to command top prices on the used car forecourt. However, the seven seat model is cheaper than like for like competition, and feels every inch a premium off-roader.
Running costs
Engines are thirsty, and CO2 emissions are high
The XC90's engine is quite thirsty - the D5 diesel struggles to serve up official combined fuel consumption of 34mpg and emissions of 219g/km. Servicing costs are relatively high, too.
*Our monthly finance prices are updated on a regular basis, but due to the dynamic nature of the market are not guaranteed accurate. You can always confirm the monthly finance price with FinanceAcar.
