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2010 VOLVO XC90 reviews

VOLVO XC90 reviews by year of make:   2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008  2009  2010  2011  Read all reviews

Anna Farah, England

Volvo XC90 2010

2 star review

We have just sold our Volvo after under two years of motoring. Luckily we bought it with a substantial discount from a broker otherwise we might have been suicidal over it’s loss in value. We have a real love/hate relationship with this car. We could not fault the cabin design, especially with a family of five on long journeys. The ability to watch DVD’s, listen to the radio or plug in to the USB similatenously did much for family harmony on long trips to Switzerland. The configuration of the seats is excellent and very flexible allowing you to fully load up with ease. Now for the ’hate’ part. Do not buy this car if you like driving or want to survive a journey in the snow. We bought the executive model with 19" wheels and were unable to fit conventional snow chains because they hit the suspension struts - we were told Volvo don’t even offer chains on this model! Without them it drives worse than any other car I have known and the cost of changing to winter tyres with the Volvo garage would have required a second mortgage. It is slow off the mark and fuel economy is definitely less than that claimed, even on a long run. The biggest problem, however, is the turning circle, which makes the manoeuvrability of this vehicle so bad - three point turns are more like twelve point turns with bemused drivers looking on making for a stressful drive if used around town. All in all we’re very glad to have parted with this car. If the interior spec of this car could be coupled with that of something which drives really well someone would be onto a winner.

Submitted: 19/01/2012 10:24:31

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Graeme, Buckinghamshire

Volvo XC90 2010

1 star review

Ok, I don’t actually own this car. My car is an Audi Q7 3.0. Unfortunately my neighbour decided to reverse into it last week and his insurance company have provided me with an XC90 whilst mine is being repaired. The Volvo had been on my shortlist before getting the Q7. After a few days I am happy to say that I made the right decision on leaving it on the shortlist. The engine is woeful. The noise on a cold start up is akin to builder’s transit van. I don’t have the heart to accelerate, as the poor thing just doesn’t like that. Best just let nature take its course and use the rotation of the planet and continental drift if you want to get it moving. I can’t really comment on the fuel economy, but so far it is under 30 mpg. As for handling, I’m pretty sure that the steering wheel does have some vague connection with the wheels, but that they had a tiff a while ago and now only communicate with each other via email. I will say this though, it is comfortable, it irons bumps and potholes quite well. I’m not a fan of the cockpit. Again, the Q7 has spoiled me in this regard. Nothing in the Volvo is intuitive. I tried to flash a driver yesterday but ended up blinding him instead as I had put the car on full beam and didn’t know how to get it off again. The centre console is a confusing array of buttons (too many!). The plastics and fascias feel cheap. In short, I really want my Q7 back. The Volvo is not a "comparible car" in any way, shape or form.

Submitted: 31/10/2011 14:00:56

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Mark Davis, Yorkshire

Volvo XC90 r design premium 2010

5 star review

First of all I would like to comment on the fuel consumpsion it started at 27 mpg, but now it’s got 14000 miles on it and it’s doing 32 mpg and still going up; by the way I’ve been running it in properly. I carp fish and went to France last year the XC90 made it a breeze, it cruised effortlessly on the motorway and when we got there it took us around the lake with no problem. The track around the lake was like an off road coarse by the way. In short this car is awsome! It’s my second XC90, but the first I bought from new and above all it’s one of, if not the safest car, to transport your family around and let’s face it the most important thing about a car is the people in it. Enough Said.

Submitted: 05/10/2011 10:12:17

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Tom Raynor, Oxfordshire

Volvo XC90 SE 2010

1 star review

This car was without doubt the biggest waste of money I have ever made. As with all cars, when you buy them the dealer tells you of high second-hand values and what colours are best. When you come to sell you quickly discover it’s the wrong colour and there is low demand for that model. This is the same for all cars, but to add insult the XC90’s poor mpg hits it even harder. You will struggle to average 28mpg and most of the time 25mpg is more realistic. I can see why people buy an XC90 as we did, but you will soon regret it and will want to deck the car dealer when you try to sell it. Don’t believe the second-hand prices you see advertised, they are way out.

Submitted: 04/10/2011 13:42:25

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Tony Adams, Leicestershire

Volvo XC90 R design 2010

2 star review

At first we thought it was a great car, better than all the German rivals and really nice to drive. A couple of months down the line and I realised just how expensive it was to run and we are not exactly living on the bread line with a household income of 6 figures. Don’t believe anyone who says they get 35+ mpg, I only ever managed a true 26mpg driving very carefully even worse if you want to keep up with motorway traffic. The other big shock is the cost of Volvo servicing. Have now got shot of it and will never again buy an XC90. Mums love them for the school run and to get one up on the other mums, but unless you love supporting BP buy something else.

Submitted: 11/09/2011 08:05:28

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Robert Johnston, West Lothian (Linlithgowshire)

Volvo XC90 Active 2010

2 star review

Fuel consumption is the reason we want rid of this thing. 8,000 miles from new and with the price of fuel it has cost us a fortune. Never been above 30 mpg even driving it very gentle using semi manual. Big mistake, never again. DO NOT BUY ONE!

Submitted: 13/05/2011 14:07:39

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Lawrence Mawhinney, County Antrim

Volvo XC90 R-Design 2010

2 star review

Love/hate the XC90! The wife needed to change the car so we plumped for a brand new Volvo R-Design as we got a good deal on it and it does look the business! Gorgeous car, nice interior! Loads of space and great for the kids and all their stuff. Very comfy over long distances too. That makes me love it! Sadly, many reasons to hate it: 20-25mpg round town makes it expensive to run, it does just about muster 30mpg on the motorway! But combined is poor. My old Audi Allroad does 28 and 38 respectively! It is now approaching one year old (under 7000 miles) and will need 2 front tyres soon tho rear are still like new. It has so far had one front bearing replaced under warranty, the complete heating system replaced and now the gearbox is showing signs of imminent failure as it no longer holds on hills in D and is taking longer to click into drive after reversing. Thats going to be expensive and hopefully under warranty! And as mentioned before it does not do snow! It is very front wheel drive biased. On the recent cold snap it was very disappointing! My Audi Allroad is faultless on snow! Car drives ok, but is a bit underpowered, should have put a 3.0l diesel unit! The V8 petrol is great but who can afford to run them!? Volvo dealership service is poor. In its first year it has been in 4 times! and they didnt valet it once! Staff were nice up to the point when we signed for the car - after that "I’m sorry, who are you?" I wouldn’t buy one again!! I honestly dont know how anyone could give this car 10/10, much as I wish I could as I spent the guts of £40k on it. It just aint what I thought I was buying!

Submitted: 02/03/2011 15:45:31

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Mazhar Khan, Yorkshire

Volvo XC90 D5 exec 2010

4 star review

Bought a Volvo XC90 D5 exec. Great car to drive and to be in. Just 2 issues until now. 1 - Poor urban economy; I was told the economy will improve with time 2 - Volvo oncall system keeps getting cancelled on its own. Been to the dealers 3 times and they don’t seem to know why. Looks like its a common problem with all Volvos. To make matters worse I have paid another £100 for an extended Volvo oncall security package but what’s the point if its not working at all most of the time? I would rather have preferred not to have this facility at all. In hindsight would have gone for the Subaru Forester

Submitted: 31/10/2010 20:22:21

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Keith Coote, Middlesex

Volvo XC90 D5 SE Diesel 2010

5 star review

I have recently obtained the vehicle. I was worried that moving from a BMW5 series 530D, I would be disappointed by the reduction in power, especially the torque in the lower gears. As a result I had a Polestar chip fitted uprating the engine to 205 BHP. This cost £700. Whilst the top and lower speeds are not really affected it does hit the mark in the ’mid-ways’. This also caused a problem with SAGA my insurers who wanted to charge a premium of £1500 with 60%NCD. Aviva came to the rescue with a more reasonable £480. I am only 1500 miles into the vehicle but as I do mostly motorway driving I do enjoy the higher driving postion and the very safe feeling one gets from the Volvo. I can also fill up the back with all sorts of music and PA equipment. I hope it lasts my three year contract.

Submitted: 13/05/2010 20:50:48

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