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2004 VOLVO XC90 reviews

VOLVO XC90 reviews by year of make:   2003  2004  2006  2007  2009  Read all reviews

The Volvo XC90 has been designed with style as well as practicability in mind. The elegant lines of the exterior are matched only by the brilliantly flexible interior. With a choice of petrol or diesel engine, you will quickly realise just how dynamic this car is. Celebrate yourself with a Volvo XC90.

Mark Sutton, Leicestershire

Volvo XC90 D5 SE 2004

4 star review

I too have had a love hate relationship with my XC90. Bought 02/2007 for £19,800 with about 50k on the clock. I love the look and practicality of the vehicle and the fuel economy is very good when you compare it to its peers. I have just passed 80k and have had the following faults in the last 30k miles. (1) wheel bearing failure at 65k cost £200 (a common fault it seems), (2) turbo module sensor failure at 70k cost £120, (3) this is the big one, I noticed an intermittent knocking noise coming from the front soon followed by what sounded like transmission whine. It turns out that the Transfer Box / Angle Gear has disintegrated and this is going to cost £1,200 ouch! Having read various blogs on the internet etc, these always seem to fail around the 60-60k mark, so I should have been prepared for it. I have also got through a set of tyres as they were all new when I bought the car cost £450. Is 30k for a set of tyres good? I am a bit disappointed with these failures on what is supposed to be a prestige car, but when you hear some of the horror stories about Landrover Discovery’s I guess you get off lightly being an XC90 owner. So if you are going to own an XC90 out of warranty make sure that you drive a good bargain when you buy the car and put the money you saved in the bank ready for some expensive repairs along the way!

Submitted: 06/03/2009 09:51:25

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Robert Coe, Sussex

Volvo XC90 2004

4 star review

D5 SE all-wheel drive. Bought 2nd hand 2006 with 16k on the clock from a main agent. Fitted with the complete options list. All bells and whistles. Bargain. Recall for steering bushes inspection but all ok. Snag list some chrome strip coming away and the small speaker on the inside of the front passenger window window came off. All fixed free. Locking system went on strike for no reason which the agent fixed Now 35,229 miles. Very happy. Very comfortable. Fuel consumption on around and about local roads and town, 35 mpg (diesel). Motorway 45-48 at steady 60 mph. Drop it to average 50 mph and it will return 55 mpg. Have had six largish family plus luggage on board for 100 miles with only minor groans but they were distracted by movies on the seat screens. screens Regular servicing with main service at 12,600 and an oil/filter change at halfway. Good investment. No mechanical problems. Tyres have lasted 25,000 miles but then I do so before the regulations say and keep careful watch on pressures. Two had to be changed with deep cuts at 10,000 miles. Possible malicious. Excellent for long distance. Brake pads long lasting but I use Geartronic for braking mainly. One unhappiness is the rear brake discs rusting and having to be replaced. Watch out for changing down using Geartronic. It is possible to go to 1st at too high a speed and I suspect that will do the transmission no end of harm. Servicing is a bit pricey but you do get the feeling that is has been done well and servicing staff will answer your questions and provide explanations. Only problem. The Government VED bands that do not relate to real life.

Submitted: 04/07/2008 14:54:04

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Alistair Grant, Perthshire

Volvo XC90 D5 Executive 2004

3 star review

My wife had wanted an XC90 for some time and we finally got around to buying this one second hand, two years old, in March 2007. We both enjoy driving it, particularly the handling and the driver position, but have been disappointed by the lack of space - we have 3 grown-up kids - particularly with the two seats at the very rear, which would just about accommodate two young children comfortably. In the first row of rear seats we can only get two of ours in comfortably as a third in the middle inevitably ends up with his or her knees up under their chin. Running costs have been very high. So far in one year we have had to replace all 4 tyres, the two rear brake discs and now we have the start of what sounds like a failing wheel bearing in one of the front wheels (the rear wheel bearings had been replaced by the dealer before we bought it as part of a recall) and of course the warranty has just expired! There are a number of reports online both here in the UK and USA of XC90 wheel bearings failing at an alarming rate, which is VERY disappointing in a car of this supposed quality. Nothing associated with servicing or repairs has been anything but expensive, even going to a local independent garage. As much as we enjoy the car we are becoming increasingly concerned about the reliability and it is not what we would have expected from a high-end Volvo. My wife previously owned a V70 turbo which she ran for 8 years up to 85K miles without any real issues.

Submitted: 12/06/2008 15:37:18

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Keith Wylie, Yorkshire

Volvo XC90 se d5 geartronic 2004

3 star review

Excellant car would have got 5 stars except for recalls and part failures Wishbone replaced under recall. Wheel bearings collapsed at 20,000 miles (scary) Ignition lock failed on a car that is just over 3years old with just 28,000 miles done was told wear and tear .First time ever this has happened to me with nearly 30 years motoring behind me my 20 year old ford cortinas ignition lock never failed strange. interior trim falls to bits. Steering Rack failed at just over 3 years old and 26,000 miles was told pot holes would cause this god help me if i ever took it off road. this happened on my ford at 19 years old and 180,000 miles. TV/DVDs stopped working replaced under warrenty. fuel economy good for a big car 25 to 30 mpg

Submitted: 02/01/2008 16:29:37

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