XC90 - Good buy or not?
 

Hi, I hope I have this in the right place.

I'm thinking of buying a 2016 XC90 Momentum to replace my ageing Peugeot 4007. The 4007 has been a terrific do everything vehicle, not perfect, but I've enjoyed owning it and driving it, and its proving remarkably difficult to replace. Almost all manufacturers have gone super sleek and up spec since Audi and BMW entered the market. That's OK in itself but it seems to have come at the cost of utility. I'd like something which is a bit bigger and a bit more upmarket, but still highly practical as I need to carry big roof loads and a lot of gear inside.

XC90 look great, and after one short test drive seemed to drive pretty well, but as I scour the internet all I keep reading is problems with the electronics. I don't see a long line of delighted owners which I do see on other more old school SUVs.

What are these vehicles really like to own?

I would think most of the 2016 problems have been sorted on the car by now. I have a 2017 1 and it is going very well up to now. Like any car from any manufacturer you get bad ones. I had a peugot 407 saloon brand new and the engine failed after 300 miles and 2 weeks. It took Peugot a lot of argument to give me a new car. They wanted to fob me off with a new engine which would have made a mess of my trade in later down the line.

I don't think that there's been many examples of problems with the electronics as such. Been quite a few software issues though. Most if not all should be resolved with the current software installed.

It is a car with 'character'. Its not for everyone, I don't think, but its my personal favourite car ever and I've had a few. Its not perfect and there are a few things I'd change, like the stop/start feature which is common to all current automatic transmission cars these days.

If you do buy it, make sure that a Volvo dealer has done all the software updates and has installed the B pillar noise reduction modification and everything else that may be relevant. I'd buy a genuine Volvo extended warranty for it too, not because I think you will really need it but because if something were to go wrong, the cost of any repairs these days on any car, not just a premium brand, is horrendous. A friend of mine has had some fault on his Honda CRV engine recently. Nothing serious but he was quoted £1500 for a repair or to take a £350 extended warranty out for the year, leave it a couple of months and get it fixed under the warranty. This saves him over £1000 just like that.

Have a 2017 model. Not one problem as yet. Works as expected.

The Momentum has standard leather which seems better than the Nappa leather for durability. I have problems with my Nappa leather peeling with low mileage and a lot of care.

I doubt you'll regret it. No less reliable than Peugeots but a league up in terms of feel.

Check specs on cars very carefully. I think a lot of people spec'd up Momentums rather than go for Inscriptions/R-Designs, especially pre-2017.

One benefit of this, IMO, are raised roof rails. I also prefer the grille.

Mine has nappa leather. I haven't yet had issues with it, and the kids (and wife!) are testing it thoroughly! Again IMO it's a worthwhile option as it really lifts the interior feel.

Also make sure you get one with a panoramic roof.

Thanks for the replies, good to know there are some happy owners.

Yes the raised roof rails are a must for me. I just don't trust the low profile bars for the use I put them too, plus I need to be able to lock things to them overnight which makes a raised bar a bit of a necessity.

I've been blissfully ignorant of roof rails and cross bars, so forgive me for asking what makes the low profile rails less suitable for your use, whatever that is, and apparently less secure? I'm at a complete loss as to why any of this should be so.

Took delivery of my 2017 XC90 Inscription just over 3 months ago. Everything works as expected and no issues.

Not sure about less secure but rhe higher rails in the momentum mean no need to get raised roof racks which I think dont look as good as the flat ones like the thule wingbar edge.

Personally I spent a lot of time looking at options and although I like the tail pipes of the inscription the grill, roof rails and leather in the momemtum are better from my perspective, I spec mine to the same price of the inscription and pleased with the car I got.

Happy owner and very impressed with the 2017 one I got. Also found fuel economy is dramatically improved in manual mode on the open road to keep it in 8th gear as opposed to 7th it was in a lot of the time when left in auto mode. I find it hard to fault the car, nothing is perfect but it is head and shoulders above the others we test drove for a better price. Software constantly being improved as the issues are identified.