Used buyer's guide: Volvo XC90

9 Oct, 2012 11:00am Richard Dredge Comments

Seven-seat SUV is our former Car of the Year, and a fine used buy

Verdict

The Volvo XC90 was Auto Express’s Car of the Year back in 2003, and then underlined the breadth of its talent by being crowned Best SUV at our Used Car Honours in 2006. While newer rivals have come and gone, the car’s design hasn’t really dated, which shows how Volvo got its first SUV just right. You shouldn’t expect too much from the car in terms of off-road ability, but when it comes to on-road driving with the family aboard – and when towing especially – this stylish SUV is a cracking used buy.

How much?

Early, high-mileage XC90s go for under £5,000. At this money, most will be petrols, although the odd D5 does crop up.

Most diesels are priced from £5,500, but a car with less than 60,000 miles will cost around £9,000.

A £15,000 budget secures a three-year-old D5 Active or a V8 – the latter are well specced and some will already have been converted to run on LPG.

Nearly new 2012 XC90 D5s with 10,000 miles go for around £26,000.

Running costs

The XC90 needs a service annually or every 12k/18k miles, depending on the car’s age and engine.

Prices vary for different engines, but first and third services are £265-£320, the second and fourth cost £450-£530, the fifth is £450-£490 and the sixth is £820-£920.

The T6 and D5 also have cambelts, which need to be replaced every six years or 108k miles (£500-£800). Brake fluid must be renewed every two years (£130), too. But some dealers do discounts on older cars – around 15 per cent.

Model	Insurance group	Fuel economy	CO2 emissions	Annual road tax
2.5T	35	25mpg	269g/km	£270*
3.2	42	23mpg	289g/km	£475
T6	40	21mpg	309g/km	£270*
4.4 V8	44	20mpg	322g/km	£475
D5 163	43	31mpg	242g/km	£270*
D5 185	43	34mpg	219g/km	£270
D5 200	42	34mpg	219g/km	£270

Disqus - noscript

Submitted by Rob O on Fri, 2012-10-12 12:38.

I second Frank's comments, owned a used 2006 car from 2009 until today (30k to 120k miles), not a single problem with reliability, Volvo service network exceptionally efficient and courteous, the longevity of the car design makes even older models look classy and modern. All this with good performance levels, seven seats, great towing capability and 32mpg.

Submitted by Tostik on Fri, 2013-03-08 05:54.

I also bought my 2006 XC90 in 2009. Mileage at 42,000 when I bought it, going to 82,000 today. Very reliable. Only a couple of minor problems in 3 years. Mine is the petrol 2.5T AWD, and with the highest torque coming in at a low 1500 RPM, it is as torque-ie as the diesel. I second RobO below--and Frank also.

For an alternative review of the latest Volvo XC90 4x4 visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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