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2016 Volvo XC90 consumer reviews

$43,950–$45,950 MSRP range
side view of 2016 XC90 Volvo
(74 reviews)
82% of drivers recommend this car
Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.8
  • Interior 4.8
  • Performance 4.3
  • Value 4.1
  • Exterior 4.8
  • Reliability 4.0
Explore the 2016 Volvo XC90
Shop the 2016 Volvo XC90

Excessive oil consumption, issues with spark plugs

Excessive oil consumption, issues with spark plugs misfiring after replacing, start/stop not working even after it was repaired, electrical issues and poor voice recognition system. Vehicle has all routine maintenance and it still isn’t up to standard. This particular model has had serious recalls and too many problems that the mechanics can’t fix. I’ve owned four Volvos in the last 35 years, but this XC90 is the most expensive and the worst by far. This car experience has really turned me off. I will never purchase another Volvo

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 1.0
  • Value 2.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 1.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Having fun
  • Does not recommend this car
3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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XC90 T6 2016

Great awesome cars in every aspect, comfort, performance, handling, smoothness, features, reliability (not in some models though) and especially safety. You get the best bang for your buck in Volvos. Only thing I would say is to stay away from the XC90 T6 (petrol engines) from 2015 - 2016. (Not sure if 2017 has these problems, as I havnt experienced anything from the 2017 models) I sell many of these Volvos But the petrol XC90s T6 from 2015 - 2016 are very unreliable because of being the first year of these models when they first came out. Had many experiences with failing superchargers ($4k to fix ) evaporator failing ($5k to fix) and also these engines have a known fault that the pistons don’t inbed in properly in some of the engines and it burns massive amount of oil. (Did a test in a customers car, was burning about 2L of oil every 1000km) Also comes with a few hiccups here and there with coolant leaks, and oil leaks etc. I’ve never had a problem with the XC90 D5 (diesel engines) as they seems much better because they don’t have the engines failing or a supercharger in these models. This have the failing evaporator but this item was the least part failing out of everything I mentioned. I hope this information has helped out some people who are deciding to purchase a Volvo 😊

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 2.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does recommend this car
9 people out of 9 found this review helpful. Did you?
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No more Volvo for life

Purchased a used 2016 xc 90 with 85000 miles on it. First the sunroof leaked during a mediocre rain storm. The coil pack gave out one by one on all four cylinders, then the fuel pressure regulator went out. Next the electric water pump froze.l, then all four rotors warped so replaced with new rotors and brakes . Then the o ring on the oil filler cap failed so all oil blew out through fill hole all over engine compartment into spark plugs holes and all over alternator, my wife thought the vehicle was on fire when the oil hit the hot exhaust, she immediately pulled over then the no oil pressure warning came on. Now recently the vehicle needs more oil much more frequently. I am now at 98734 miles so it’s still under 100000 miles but oil consumption warranty only applies to original owner

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 3.0
  • Exterior 4.0
  • Reliability 1.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does not recommend this car
12 people out of 13 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Safe, fast, comfortable but too much maintenance

I have 4 Volvos, different models and years each. The 2016 XC-90 is by far the least reliable, needing repairs every several months by the dealership. The entire engine had to be "re-bored", the suspension system has been repaired twice, the airbag sensor and batteries are being repaired a second time in less than a year, the middle passenger seat is being repaired a 3rd time (because there isn't anything but a plastic piece keeping the seats from sliding too far and easily breaks apparently). I spent well over $10,000 in repairs and I'm certain practically all of it was spent on the XC-90. Our 2 S-60s (different years) are incredibly reliable and needed nothing but oil changes, and the XC-40 is fine except for a recall in the first month I owned it. The porter at the dealership who takes in the cars and gives me a ticket laughs when I pull up and says the XC-90 is by far the most troublesome car he sees customers bring in. He said the S-60 is very reliable as well. The dealership repair manager has tried to help with costs, but I believe they just don't want to admit that this first year of the XC-90 was a stinker, or else they sold me a lemon. I'm delaying repairs because I know if I just wait a week, something else will come up and the dealership is almost an hour away. With a leak (the first it's ever had surprisingly), a broken seat, and airbag sensor alert, its time to get this thing fixed yet again. I like this car when it works and isn't having problems. It feels very safe, the 4WD worked well in the snow and even on the sand beach in the 4x4 area, and has amazing acceleration for a big vehicle. But I'm also very disappointed it hasn't maintained it's resale value over time, which seems like an insult to add to injury now that I'm debating whether to continue owning this thing or trading it in for a newer (hopefully more reliable) model.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 2.0
  • Exterior 3.0
  • Reliability 1.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does not recommend this car
15 people out of 15 found this review helpful. Did you?
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BEST SAFE SUV ON THE PLANET

T6 106k miles, replaced Brake pads, spark plugs, and one to engine mount. Everything works! Amazing auto pilot up to 80mph lifetime avg 21.3 MPG mixed driving, regular gas! Quiet, blast T6, super comfortable seats, active safety! I cant think of anything better. Stay away from T5

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does recommend this car
17 people out of 18 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Gorgeous car, but high maintenance

We bought our XC90 with 43k miles on it via a CPO through a dealership. At the time, it underwent a billion-point inspection and all kinds of parts and fixes were made to it before we took possession of it, including new rotors and brake pads. We’ve now had this car for about 18 months and so far, the side mirrors went out of synch, there was an oil drain issue, the sunroof quit working, and it was giving us false crash warnings. Recently, we noticed a thumping noise and vibration upon braking at high speeds. Turns out the brake rotors warped after 15k miles and need to be replaced. Volvo refused to stand behind their parts and their product and would not replace the rotors as part of the CPO or the extended warranty. We will never own another Volvo again after this experience and we don’t recommend it to anyone else, either.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 1.0
  • Exterior 4.0
  • Reliability 1.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does not recommend this car
44 people out of 51 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Exceptional vehicle for the cost

This car is phenomenal the only complaint are the ongoing mains costs. I believe they could b reduced so more folks could take advantage of a great car.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 4.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Having fun
  • Does recommend this car
12 people out of 12 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Good car

Good car. I will Recommend so far had the car for a month love it. Good on gas mileage look stylish I need a oil change every 10,000 miles

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
8 people out of 8 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Most reliable, fun and safe car.

This is the best car I ever owned. Fun to drive, extremely reliable and considered the safest car out there. Best value for your money!!!

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
2 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Comfortable but High Maintenance

We loved the comfort and technology available with our XC90, but it constantly had issues. Updates wouldn't take which affected the safety features. It is comfortable but there is limited legroom in the second and third rows and cargo space is limited (you can't fit a Yeti in the back, the trunk won't close). So, we traded it for a larger SUV that is more reliable!

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 3.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 3.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 2.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does not recommend this car
8 people out of 11 found this review helpful. Did you?
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