I still love the car. I cannot say enough good things about it. I love the service and enjoy driving it around. The ride is a bit truck-like in a sense, which I am not 100% thrilled about it but I find it acceptable.
One of the main reasons I am writing this is to counter all the negative comments on this vehicle. Volvo XC90 is the most popular European SUV in terms of units sold in the USA. There may be some problems with some owners but I am probably with the majority owners who feel like this is a great car and I will tell you the good and bad.
It maneuvers extremely well in the winter and when we got blasted with an ice storm that created level 5 emergencies (no one can drive but emergency vehicles) it still plowed ahead when the emergencies were downgraded to level 4.
This vehicle is great. It is quiet, has enough power (I have the T5 model), and feels very safe. The doors still close with the same thunk sound the day I got it. Very solid. I hope to keep this vehicle 14 more years b/c I always wanted to own a car for 15 years. The paint and interior detail is very nice. Big solid knobs with no sharp edges are in line with Volvo safety (Volvo designs everything with safety in mind).
The amount of storage space is larger than my friend's new Range Rover (I have the sever passenger vehicle). The XC90 seems to have monstrous brakes which allow it to stop instantly to avoid an accident and the gyroscopic sensor really works as to not allow the vehicle to tip (swerved at 70 mph to avoid a ladder which fell off a person's truck on the freeway a few months back. You could feel the gyroscope and computer working.)
There are a couple of things I would change. I would like the vehicle to ride a bit smoother, less trucklike. Although this isn't that big of a deal because when I test drove a BMW X5, which has a bunch of plasticy crap pieces on it, it too rode trucklike, actually more so than the XC90. (Maybe I shouldn't expect a Lexus ride unless I buy one).
Oh yeah, the X5's plastic rattled in the showroom. I also would not buy an X5 b/c it is not German. When you buy a European vehicle it should be made in Europe right??? The X5 is an American, overpriced, piece of junk.
The other thing I agree with another reviewer on is the cargo cover cannot be stored easily when the third row is up or even down for that matter. I don't like the placement of the seat positioners (see below).
The only other thing I don't like is the stereo controls. I am so used to turning a dial to switch stations and this has you pushing a button. It took a bit getting used to.
The service I experienced so far is as follows:
1.) Took the truck in 3 times within first year because seat kept going back automatically. Before they took the truck back as a lemon they asked me to get in and out of the car. They discovered my legs were hitting the recline button as I was exiting the car. I wish it was in a different location.
2.) Squeaking noise came from back. Sounded like shock. They are replacing shock at no charge.
3.) Typical oil change services.
The car seems reasonable to own too versus the BMW, Mercedes, etc. I put normal 87 octane gas in and the thing runs fine. Oil changes at the dealership are $34.95 versus almost $120 at BMW. Brakes, although I have not needed them yet are about $400 versus $1000 on X5. Insurance is cheap too b/c of safety ratings.
Overall, I would buy another Volvo but hopefully my dealership won't sell me another car for 14 more years. Segna Dealership in Columbus Ohio is the best and everyone in my neighborhood owns a Volvo from them.
My vehicle is a loaded XC90 T5.
March 21, 2006 Update:
I got new tires today. They cost about $675 for all four tires. I have 29.550 miles on the vehicle now. The tires I purchased are not the same as the ones that came on the vehicle, instead they ride quieter and smoother. They are Michelin Energy tires (sized correctly). The ride is better now and less trucklike.
April 10, 2006 Update:
The car was taken in last week for a chrome trim replacement. A bird crapped on my car and this stained the tarnished the chrome. The Volvo dealer took the car in and decided to replace all of the chrome on on the car. I don't know what this would have cost but they are doing it under warranty. I have had a loaner car for 5 days now. Updates will follow...
February 5, 2007 Update:
37,500 miles and I am going into the shop for the service. It will cost about $200 for oil change and miscellaneous. And about the chrome problem last year...Volvo replaced it and it is beautiful. No other problems to report.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 39500
Condition: New Model Year: 2004 Model and Options: 2004 XC90 T5 AWD
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