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2016 Volvo XC90

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.

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
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Body styles
4dr SUV AWD T6
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Horsepower
310–316 hp
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Seats
7
Fuel
Plug-in Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
25 combined · 24 city / 27 hwy
Length
194.9 in
Curb weight
6,063 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
8 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 25 MPG combined — 34% better than the average 2016 standard SUV (18.7 MPG).
  • Plug-in hybrid version availableOffered as a plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Seats up to 7

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • 8 recallsMore than similar models (about 2). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 9 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2016 Volvo XC90 is a standard SUV offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 195 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 117-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 6,063 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (24 city / 27 highway), 34% better than the 2016 standard SUV average of 18.7 MPG, for an estimated $3,300 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 8 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 198 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 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

Compared with 2014; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2014 XC90 →

Trims, performance & features

Engine316 hp2.0L turbo 4-cyl
Engine310 hp2.0L turbo 4-cyl plug-in hybrid
DriveAWD/4WD
Seating7 seats

Trims

SV42 MomentumSV34 Premier Plus/SV43 InscriptionSVR5 R-DesignSVFE First Edition/SVR0 R Design Base

Built in: Torslanda, Sweden

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2016 XC90 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV AWD T6194.9 in79.1 in70.1 in117.3 in65.7 / 65.7 in6,063 lb53/47

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
XC90 AWD PHEV Plug-in Hybrid2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive24 / 27 / 25+34%$3,300241
XC90 FWD2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)Front-Wheel Drive22 / 26 / 24+26%$3,400373
XC90 AWD2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive22 / 25 / 23+23%$3,550384
XC90 AWD2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive20 / 25 / 22+18%$3,750397
7/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
8/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $1,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
18.7 MPG2016 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2016 Volvo XC90.

Similar 2016 standard SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2016 Volvo XC90 (this car)25 MPGNot rated8
2016 Lexus RX30 MPGNot rated3
2016 Tesla Model X289 miNot rated12
2016 Acura MDX23 MPGNot rated7
2016 Infiniti QX6026 MPGNot rated2
2016 Cadillac SRX19 MPGNot rated2
2016 Infiniti QX7019 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (8)

Seat Belts › Critical Fasteners · Dec 7, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V827000 · 2,911 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2015-2024 XC90 vehicles. The second-row seat belt buckle and lower belt anchor bolts may not be tightened properly.
Risk
An improperly tightened seat belt buckle may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing their risk of injury during a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect and tighten the second-row seat belt buckle anchorage bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 19, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10259.
Electrical System › Software · Apr 21, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V273000 · 162 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2016-2020 XC90 Excellence vehicles. Liquid or condensation on the rear seat control display may cause the front passenger seat to move back as far as possible.
Risk
The rear passenger may become trapped by the front seat without the ability to cancel the seat's movement, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will update the rear seat control display software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 14, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10093.
Engine And Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings · Apr 17, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V308000 · 34,006 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2016 XC90 vehicles. Exposure to heat and humidity may cause the engine coolant bleeder hose to crack, resulting in a coolant leak.
Risk
If the coolant leak goes unnoticed, coolant may accumulate in the catalytic converter heat shield insulation and catch fire when the vehicle is stationary, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
Volvo Cars will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine side coolant bleeder hose, free of charge. The recall began June 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R29936.
Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly · Nov 2, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V798000 · 74,027 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 XC90, S90, XC60, V60 Cross Country, V60, S60 Cross Country, S60, and S60 Inscription vehicles manufactured February 16, 2015, to August 22, 2016. On the affected vehicles, the front passenger seat belt buckle attaching stud may loosen, allowing the buckle to separate from the seat belt bracket. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages" and number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Risk
If the seat belt buckle separates from the bracket, the front seat passenger may not be adequately restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front passenger seat belt buckle stud, replacing the seat belt buckle as needed, free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89708.
Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner · Sep 26, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V690000 · 43,766 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Volvo XC90 and S90 vehicles manufactured April 15, 2015 through September 19, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the drain hose for the air conditioning may leak into the passenger compartment due to a drain hose installation error during manufacturing.
Risk
Significant water drainage into the passenger compartment may adversely affect air bag deployment in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Fix
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air conditioning drain hose for proper installation, replacing the hose as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on November the 14, 2016. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this campaign is R89707.
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly · May 4, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V268000 · 30,214 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 XC90 vehicles manufactured January 27, 2015, to April 23, 2016. The sunroofs on the affected vehicles have a switch on the overhead console that may not be adequately recessed to prevent the switch from being unintentionally pressed. When pressed, the sunroof may fully close. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."
Risk
If the switch is unintentionally pressed and the sunroof panel closes, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Fix
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software upgrade that disables the auto-close function, free of charge. The recall began June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552 or by visiting http://Volvo.custhelp.com. Volvo's number for this recall is R89702.
Air Bags › Side/Window · Aug 6, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V497000 · 3,911 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 Volvo XC90 vehicles manufactured January 27, 2015, to July 10, 2015. The third row seating side curtain air bags may not fully inflate.
Risk
Underinflated air bags may not fully protect third row occupants, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will modify the D-pillar interior panels to allow full inflation of the third row airbags, free of charge. The recall began on September 21, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo Customer Care at 1-800-458-1552.
Air Bags › Side/Window · Jun 3, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V342000 · 584 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 Volvo XC90 vehicles manufactured January 27, 2015, to May 19, 2015. The affected vehicles have front seats whose wiring harness for the Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) may have been routed incorrectly.
Risk
If the wiring harness is routed incorrectly, the wiring may be damaged, disabling the front seat side impact air bag, and increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front seat side impact air bag.
Fix
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the routing of the SIPS wiring, correcting the routing and installing a protective sleeve as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 30, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89571.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2016 Volvo XC90 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

198Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
5Involved a crash
11Involved a fire
8Injuries reported
21,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine87
Electrical System56
Unknown Or Other37
Structure › Body21
Service Brakes14
Fuel/Propulsion System12
Vehicle Speed Control10
Power Train10
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/03: 524/04: 124/05: 224/06: 224/07: 324/08: 324/09: 224/12: 325/01: 125/02: 125/03: 125/04: 125/05: 125/07: 125/08: 425/09: 225/10: 126/01: 226/02: 126/04: 526/05: 126/06: 126/07: 226/08: 124/0324/0624/0925/0225/0525/0926/0226/06max 5

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2016 Volvo XC90 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 8 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Engine — 87 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  3. Electrical System — 56 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Structure › Body — 21 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 21,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2016 Volvo XC90. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other XC90 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 XC9025–Not rated00
2026 XC9027195.7 inNot rated18
2025 XC9027194.9 inNot rated329
2024 XC9027194.9 inNot rated437
2023 XC9027194.9 inNot rated741
2022 XC9027194.9 inNot rated531
2021 XC9027194.9 inNot rated742
2020 XC9027194.9 inNot rated934
2019 XC9025194.9 inNot rated642
2018 XC9027194.9 inNot rated352
2017 XC9025194.9 inNot rated782
2014 XC9019189 inNot rated04

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