Hi All,

I'm looking at XC90's as my Suburban has seemed to pass it's expiration date. I've done some searching on here but figured I'd ask my question straight out.

I'm in my vehicle about 2.5 hours a day and spend some weekends in the fall bird hunting. It's not too serious an off road challenge, no bushwhacking, mostly unpaved roads and rough trails. Reliability is my big thing.

I need 3rd row seating due to family transport issues. I'm also not the smallest fellow around 6'1"/340lbs so the roomier the better.

What year or years would be best if I looking for a daily driver/family hauler/bird hunting rig? I've come acorss references to transmission issues, any years better or worse for this? Has the interior size stayed the same over the years?

Also on the table is the LR Discovery II and possibly the Toyota Sequoia but I'd really like a little more luxury than the Toyo offers.

Thanks in advance for any info!

Best,

Jim

 

I would stay away from the 03-05 Twin turbo 6 cylinders since the transmissions in them are getting replaced nearly every 60k miles and most of the time under extended warranty. I personally love the V8 XC90 but if money does not permit that option, I would get the 5 cylinder turbo AWD. The engine and trans is nearly bullet proof (IF MAINTANCE IS DONE WITH SYNTHETIC OIL EVERY 4k MILES!!).

 

Cool thanks! What years had the 5 cylinder? We're all the 5cyl's turbos? or it that the "T5" option?

I'm not totally against the V8 but I was kinda hoping to go down to the 5 or 6 cyl to save on gas a bit after feeding a Suburban for the past 5 years.

Jim

 

stay 2007+ v6 or v8 would be fine.

 

There is not a V6. 2008+ XC90's come with the brand new 6 cylinder, but due to the complexity, i doubt any shops will do much work to them since they require many special tools to work on. The new 6 is pretty damn solid as well. All years up to 2008 had the 5 cylinder option and every single xc90 5 cylinder was turbo. After 2008, they had the new 6 non turbo.

I highly recommend the 5 cylinder, 8 cylinder, and the brand new 6 non turbo. Just do not get the twin turbo 6.

 

Not sure what you mean, but there WAS a V6 starting in the 2007 model. Since 2007 there have been 2 engines available, the 3.2LV6 and the 4.4LV8. Both are awesome engines and thats why I said to get a 2007 or newer XC90.
http://www.edmunds.com/volvo/xc90/2007/review.html

 

Perhaps you dont know the difference between V6 and I6. Volvo does NOT have a V6 in the NA market. Maybe overseas, but not in North America. The engine in the new XC90's, S80's, and XC60's are INLINE SIXES. They are not V configuration. These are the engines that I say are complex and doubt may shops would do anything other than oil changes to them. They do not have a crank pulley and the accessories are above the transmission and driven by a PTO that comes from the Timing chain assembly. All are very delicate to alignment and of course not many shops own or know how to use these alignment tools. BUT, the tools are only needed for any work done to the accessories and timing.

 

ok my mistake. The point was not whether the engine was inline or a V, but rather that it came out in 2007, not 2008.

 

Yes, you are correct. Unfortunately I had a number in my head and kept typing it. Mistake on my part. The 3.2 is an awesome engine but I would still go for the 5 turbo.

 

In all honesty, I would not recommend the XC90. Reliability is definitely iffy. Aside from the T6's transmission and early V8 bearing failures, the vehicle is not bullet proof like a suburban (had 2 before the XC90). Wheel bearing fail, tires wear fast, and interior parts falloff or break. At your size, expect to crack the plastic at the side of the seat and also expect some seat movement/creaks.

We still have our XC90 (can't sell it) but the wife is now driving a Chevy Traverse. More plastic parts then the XC90, but also more room and more goodies (power rear door, integrated bluetooth, backup camera, and I can change the lock/unlock in park without a $100 software fee). The GM Lambdas (Traverse/Outlook/Acadia/Enclave) do offer AWD if you need it.

 

I wouldnt buy a XC90 because I am not a SUV fan, but let me set some facts straight.

1) Usually only the rear original wheel bearings fail due to how tight they strap the vehicle down on the ship when coming from Sweden. It was corrected in 2007+.
2) The plastic power panel on the side of the driver seat does break or crack. Avoidable if you pay attention on how you exit your vehicle seat.
3) Tires wear on all vehicles. Tires dont wear any faster on an XC90 than they do on a Tahoe or Surburban.
4) I have not have one V8 bearing failure at my dealership since the engine came out. There was a balance shaft problem but it was very scarce.
5) Problems with the AWD can get very expensive, but if you do all your services at the dealership, usually Volvo will cover parts only despite the mileage on a failed AWD componet.
6) GM is a bailed out company and deserves to die.

I personally LOVE the new S80 and XC60's. If money permits, get a bad *** XC60.

 

OK, let me be more specific on tire wear....on the 2 Suburbans we have had, driven just over 100,000 miles each, we purchased one additional set of tires for each. On the XC90, driven 60,000 miles, we are on purchased tire set number two...so the Sub went 50,000 each set and the XC90 went 30,000...you can make up your own mind if the tires wear fast or not compared to a Sub.

Regarding the seat panel, like I said, given your size, it will crack no matter how you exit the vehicle...unless you climb through the sunroof

 

I dont want to seem arguemental, but i bet the tires on your XC and Surburban were completely different models and possibly brands?

 

Interesting thread. I'm actually trading in my 2008 Acadia for a 2010 XC90 today (3.2 I6). I suppose any car can have its issues, but with 75,000 on the vehicle I've had enough. Crossing my fingers that the Volvo is better.

Covered under warranty:

6 lug nuts, drivers seat track, head lamp bulb, fog lamp bulb, wiper crank arm, front sway bar links, reroute sunroof drain (TSB), intake solenoid valve & exhaust valve solenoid (after multiple trips to the dealer due to check engine light), wheel speed sensor, camshaft solenoid valve, water pump, and the entire transmission.

In addition I have paid for:

Both rear shocks, front passenger strut, front brake pads, tail gate switch, rear pads and rotors.

Before it will pass inspection it will need:

Steering rack and front driver side strut.

At least the stock tires lasted close to 60K.