Makes›Volvo›XC90

Volvo XC90

22 model years from 2005 to 2027, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

Volvo XC90
Pictured: Volvo XC90 T8 AWD Plug-in Hybrid Plus (II, 2. Facelift) – f 03102025. Photo: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
Model years
2005–2027
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Latest engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Best MPG
16–27 combined, by year
Latest rating
Not rated
Recalls
28 campaigns, all years
Most complaints
2016 (198)
Fewest problems
2018
Interest
17,920 Wikipedia views / 30 days

The 2026 XC90 in brief

The 2026 Volvo XC90 is a standard SUV offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 196 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 117-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,449 lb (4dr SUV).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 27 MPG combined (26 city / 27 highway), 35% better than the 2026 standard SUV average of 20 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.

It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the back over prevention.

The Volvo XC90 has 22 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2027, classed as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD.

Its most efficient year was 2026 at 27 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 16 to 27 MPG.

Owners most often report problems with the electrical system (212), engine (185), unknown or other (139).

Buying used? 2018 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2016 is the year to avoid.

2020 has the most recalls (9); all years together count 28 campaigns and 735 owner complaints.

How the 2005 XC90 compares

The 2005 Volvo XC90 is a SUV - offered with 3 engines (2.5L 5-cyl turbo, 2.9L 6-cyl turbo and 4.4L 8-cyl) and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 189 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,268 lb (Xc 90 4dr SUV AWD /2.5t).

About the Volvo XC90

The Volvo XC90 is a mid-size luxury SUV manufactured and marketed by Volvo Cars since 2002 and in its second generation.

From the Wikipedia article "Volvo XC90", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

2026 XC90 pros & cons

Full 2026 details →

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 27 MPG combined — 35% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (20 MPG).
  • Strong performanceUp to 455 hp, versus about 335 hp for similar 2026 models.
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • Seats up to 73 rows of seating.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Best and worst years to buy used

NHTSA recalls and complaints for 9 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →

Compare head to head

Compare the XC90 with any other car →

XC90 changes by model year

  1. 2023
    • New hybrid version
  2. 2021
    • Lightest version 187 lb heavier
  3. 2020
    • Best combined MPG up from 25 to 27
  4. 2019
    • Best combined MPG down from 27 to 25
  5. 2018
    • Best combined MPG up from 25 to 27
  6. 2017
    • Lightest version 1726 lb lighter
  7. 2016
    • New body dimensions: 5.9 in longer, wheelbase +4.7 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
    • New plug-in hybrid version
    • Engine added: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
    • Engine dropped: 3.2L 6-cyl
    • Best combined MPG up from 19 to 25
  8. 2013
    • Lightest version 221 lb heavier
  9. 2012
    • Engine dropped: 4.4L 8-cyl
  10. 2008
    • Engine dropped: 2.5L 5-cyl turbo
    • Best combined MPG down from 18 to 16
    • Lightest version 278 lb heavier
  11. 2007
    • Engine added: 3.2L 6-cyl
  12. 2006
    • Engine dropped: 2.9L 6-cyl turbo

Years without a measurable change are left out.

Show all 22 model years side by side
YearLatest enginesBest MPG / rangeLengthWeightOverallRecallsComplaints
20272.0L 4-cyl turbo25 MPG––Not rated00
20262.0L 4-cyl turbo27 MPG195.7 in4,449 lbNot rated18
20252.0L 4-cyl turbo27 MPG194.9 in4,524 lbNot rated329
20242.0L 4-cyl turbo27 MPG194.9 in4,524 lbNot rated437
20232.0L 4-cyl turbo27 MPG194.9 in4,524 lbNot rated741
20222.0L 4-cyl turbo27 MPG194.9 in4,524 lbNot rated531
20212.0L 4-cyl turbo27 MPG194.9 in4,524 lbNot rated742
20202.0L 4-cyl turbo27 MPG194.9 in4,475 lbNot rated934
20192.0L 4-cyl turbo25 MPG194.9 in4,475 lbNot rated642
20182.0L 4-cyl turbo27 MPG194.9 in4,475 lbNot rated352
20172.0L 4-cyl turbo25 MPG194.9 in4,475 lbNot rated782
20162.0L 4-cyl turbo25 MPG194.9 in6,063 lbNot rated8198
20143.2L 6-cyl19 MPG189 in4,762 lbNot rated04
20133.2L 6-cyl19 MPG189 in4,762 lbNot rated010
20123.2L 6-cyl19 MPG189 in4,542 lbNot rated03
20113.2L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl18 MPG189 in4,542 lbNot rated112
20103.2L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl18 MPG189 in4,654 lbNot rated310
20093.2L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl17 MPG189 in4,654 lbNot rated15
20083.2L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl16 MPG189 in4,654 lbNot rated114
20072.5L 5-cyl turbo, 3.2L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl18 MPG189 in4,376 lbNot rated117
20062.5L 5-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl18 MPG189 in4,268 lbNot rated122
20052.5L 5-cyl turbo, 2.9L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl18 MPG189 in4,268 lbNot rated142
Best combined MPG by model year — Volvo XC90
2005: 18 MPG2006: 18 MPG2007: 18 MPG2008: 16 MPG2009: 17 MPG2010: 18 MPG2011: 18 MPG2012: 19 MPG2013: 19 MPG2014: 19 MPG2016: 25 MPG2017: 25 MPG2018: 27 MPG2019: 25 MPG2020: 27 MPG2021: 27 MPG2022: 27 MPG2023: 27 MPG2024: 27 MPG2025: 27 MPG2026: 27 MPG2027: 25 MPG20052008201120142018202120242027max 27 MPG

Alternatives to the 2026 XC90

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2026 Tesla Model Y357 miNot rated8
2026 BMW X329 MPGNot rated2
2026 Lexus RX36 MPGNot rated3
2026 Audi Q722 MPGNot rated1
2026 Tesla Model X352 miNot rated0
2026 Land Rover Discovery21 MPGNot rated1

Most common owner-reported problems

Electrical System212
Engine185
Unknown Or Other139
Fuel/Propulsion System79
Service Brakes65
Power Train47
Structure › Body43
Vehicle Speed Control20
Owner complaints by model year — Volvo XC90
2005: 422006: 222007: 172008: 142009: 52010: 102011: 122012: 32013: 102014: 42016: 1982017: 822018: 522019: 422020: 342021: 422022: 312023: 412024: 372025: 292026: 82027: 020052008201120142018202120242027max 198
Check your VIN for open recalls ↗

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volvo. How we calculate this →