DecodedCars2010 Volvo XC90
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2010 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV AWD 3.2, 4dr SUV AWD V8
- Engines
- 3.2L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 18 combined · 15 city / 22 hwy
- Length
- 189 in
- Curb weight
- 4,654–4,755 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 18 MPG combined, 13% below the 2010 SUV - average of 20.7 MPG.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 20 similar 2010 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2010 Volvo XC90 is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (3.2L 6-cyl and 4.4L 8-cyl) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 189 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,654 lb (4dr SUV AWD 3.2).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (15 city / 22 highway), 13% worse than the 2010 SUV - average of 20.7 MPG, for an estimated $3,700 a year in fuel.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the fuel/propulsion system.
What changed for 2010
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2009 XC90 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2009; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2009 XC90 →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV AWD 3.2 | 189 in | 74.8 in | 70.1 in | 112.6 in | 64.2 / 63.8 in | 4,654 lb | 53/47 |
| 4dr SUV AWD V8 | 189 in | 74.8 in | 70.1 in | 112.6 in | 64.2 / 63.8 in | 4,755 lb | 53/47 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XC90 FWD | 3.2L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 18 | -13% | $3,700 | 494 |
| XC90 AWD | 3.2L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | -7% | $3,950 | 523 |
| XC90 AWD | 4.4L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 19 / 15 | -18% | $4,450 | 592 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2010 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2010 Volvo XC90 under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2010 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Volvo XC90 (this car) | 18 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2010 Land Rover Range Rover | 15 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2010 Porsche Cayenne | 16 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2010 BMW X5 | 22 MPG | Not rated | 19 |
| 2010 BMW X3 | 20 MPG | Not rated | 7 |
| 2010 Lexus RX | 30 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2010 Lexus LX | 14 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
Recalls (3)
Steering · May 18, 2011
NHTSA campaign 11V286000 · 350 vehicles
- Problem
- VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 XC90 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 29, 2010, THROUGH AUGUST 16, 2010. THE POWER STEERING FLUID MAY LEAK FROM THE OIL PIPE CONNECTION AT THE STEERING GEAR VALVE HOUSING.
- Risk
- THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OIL PIPES ON THE POWER STEERING RACK FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System) · Nov 8, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V566000 · 416 vehicles
- Problem
- VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
- Risk
- AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
- Fix
- VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery · Apr 16, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V147000 · 2,494 vehicles
- Problem
- VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 XC90 VEHICLES. A LEAK MAY DEVELOP IN THE FUEL LINE BETWEEN THE LINE AND A CONNECTOR.
- Risk
- FUEL ODOR MAY BE DETECTED. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN LEAD TO A FIRE AT THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE PRINTED ON THE FUEL LINE AND REPLACE THE FUEL PRESSURE LINE IF IT FALLS WITHIN THE RECALLED RANGE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Not every 2010 Volvo XC90 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2010 Volvo XC90 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 3 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Steering — 2 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Wheels — 1 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 101,200 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2010 Volvo XC90. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other XC90 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 XC90 | 25 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 XC90 | 27 | 195.7 in | Not rated | 1 | 8 |
| 2025 XC90 | 27 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 3 | 29 |
| 2024 XC90 | 27 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 4 | 37 |
| 2023 XC90 | 27 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 7 | 41 |
| 2022 XC90 | 27 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 5 | 31 |
| 2021 XC90 | 27 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 7 | 42 |
| 2020 XC90 | 27 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 9 | 34 |
| 2019 XC90 | 25 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 6 | 42 |
| 2018 XC90 | 27 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 3 | 52 |
| 2017 XC90 | 25 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 7 | 82 |
| 2016 XC90 | 25 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 8 | 198 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volvo. How we calculate this →