2008 Volvo XC90 Review – The Sturdy Volvo Of SUVs
Whether you’re a soccer mom or an outdoorsman, the 2008 Volvo XC90 is the perfect SUV for you. With plenty of room to store all your gear and a comfortable ride, the XC90 is perfect for weekend getaways and family trips. And with its stylish design and Volvo’s renowned safety features, the XC90 will make you feel at ease no matter where you go.
The 2008 Volvo XC90 was available in three models, the 3.2, V8, and the V8 Sport. The XC90 can seat up to seven occupants in its spacious luxury interior and has an ample 43.3 cubic feet cargo bay. The SUV is all-wheel drive and has a six-speed Geartronic transmission.
The 2008 Volvo XC90 is a beautiful luxury SUV that has proven reliable, safe, and a great family vehicle. If you would like to discover more about the Volvo XC90 or consider owning one, read on to find out why the 2008 XC90 is the Volvo of SUVs.
The 2008 Volvo XC90 Model Range
The 2008 Volvo XC90 was a hit when launched in the U.S. in 2003 and has been their best-selling model for the last two years. It quickly became the go-to SUV as it offered ample space and seven seats. The XC90 had a high-quality, spacious cabin, great features, and a choice of six-cylinder or V8 petrol engine. The SUV is available in three model options.
The XC90 3.2
The XC90 3.2 seats five comfortably and have the following as standard options. 17” wheels, cloth upholstery with wooden trim, powered driver seat, dual-zone climate control, auto-dim rearview mirror, eight-speaker sound system with CD/MP3 player, and a PremAir coated radiator.
The XC90 V8
The XC90 V8 is a seven-seater and has the following as standard options, a third row of seats, 18” wheels, leather upholstery, wood interior trim, power front seats, and an integrated child booster seat. There is a separate air conditioner for the rear seats, upgraded instrumentation, sunroof, and self-leveling rear suspension.
The XC90 V8 Sport
The XC90 V8 Sport just adds the following to the V8 model, 19” wheels, sports suspension, sportier steering, laterally bolstered front seats, blue metallic gauges, and a sport exterior trim package.
Volvo Upgrade Packages for the XC90
Volvo offered three packages for the XC90 when they were launched. They were:
- The Premium Package – for XC90 3.2 had a third row of seats added to the XC90 3.2 with climate control vents.
- The Convenience Package – the following features were added: rear park assist, power mirrors, power child door locks, interior air quality management system, and a compass.
- The Climate Package – added heated front seats, headlamp washers system, and automatic wipers.
Stand-Alone Options For The XC90
- BI-Xenon headlamps
- Volvo BLIS system (Blind spot information system)
- Navigation and rear dual-screen entertainment system
- Surround audio sound system
The Volvo XC90 Interior
The interior of the XC90 is pure Volvo with high-quality materials and simplicity. The beautiful wood trim brings a sense of class, and the seats are comfortable and well suited to long road trips. The interior is not as luxurious as the Cadillac SRX or Lexus RX350, but it focuses on functionality and practicality.
The XC90 is designed with families in mind, and the interior has a child booster seat. The optional entertainment system will keep the rear passengers occupied.
When the third-row seats are deployed, the second row sacrifices a little legroom, but there is still enough for an adult to sit comfortably. The cargo area is 43.3 cubic feet or 85 cubic feet by lowering the second row of seats.
The 2008 Volvo XC90 Problems
The 2008 XC90 has proven to be a very reliable SUV and was ranked by RepairPal and received a reliability score of 3.5 out of 5. After reviewing many conducted consumer ratings across multiple sources, and the XC90 received an average of 4 out of 5
The Volvo XC90 engine (3.2 and V8) has proven to last between 200,000 to 250,000 miles before showing any signs of mechanical problems, as long as the vehicle is maintained correctly. The average annual maintenance cost of the Volvo XC90 is $820.00 (2020), slightly lower than the BMW X5.
The CX90 does not suffer from premature rusting issues, but vehicles near the coast show signs of light rust in the rear wheel wells. Rusting can be prevented by regular washing and waxing the vehicle.
The 2008 Volvo XC90 Spec Sheet
Below is the spec sheet for the 2008 Volvo XC90:
| Volvo XC90 | 3.2 | V8 | V8 Sport |
| Gas Mileage City | 14 mpg | 13 mpg | 13 mpg |
| Gas Mileage Highway | 20 mpg | 19 mpg | 19 mpg |
| Engine | Gas I6, 3.2L | Gas V8, 4.4L | Gas V8, 4.4L |
| Horsepower | 235 | 311 | 311 |
| Torque | 236 | 325 | 325 |
| ABS | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Style Name | AWD 4dr I6 | AWD 4dr V8 | AWD 4dr V8 Sport |
| Drivetrain | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Passenger Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Body Style | Sport Utility | Sport Utility | Sport Utility |
| Transmission | 6-speed Geartronic Automatic with O.D. and winter mode | 6-speed Geartronic Automatic with O.D. and winter mode | 6-speed Geartronic Automatic with O.D. and winter mode |
The 2008 Volvo XC90 Safety
Volvo is well known for there safety, which has been proven again in the XC90. Here is a list of the standard safety equipment included in this SUV.
- 4-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS) with emergency brake switch
- Driver/front passenger dual-stage airbags
- Side impact protection system (SIPS)
- Roll-over protection system (ROPS)
- Driver and front passenger – whiplash protection seating system (WHIPS)
- 3-point seat belts with pre-tensioners for all seating positions
- Front seat belt force limiters
- Overhead-mounted seat belt reminder lights
- Child safety rear door locks
- The rear window deactivation switch
- ISO-FIX child seat attachments
- Dynamic stability & traction control (DSTC)
- Roll stability control (RSC)
- Collapsible steering column
- Boron steel reinforced passenger compartment
- Front cross-member for SUV-to-car impact
- Daytime running lights
- Anti-submarining seats
- Pedestrian collision protection
The 2008 Volvo XC90 Price
The below table shows the launch price, min/max fair market price, and average listing price (2022) for the 2008 Volvo XC90 models as per our market analysis.
| Volvo XC90 | Launch Price | Fair Market Price Min. | Fair Market Price Max. | Avg. Listing Price |
| 3.2 4WD | $36,200 | $5,100 | $6,600 | $6,600 |
| V8 4WD | $48,500 | $6,000 | $7,800 | $8,000 |
| V8 Sport 4WD | $49,800 | $6,200 | $8,100 | $8,400 |
The 2008 Volvo XC90 Driving Impressions
The Volvo XC90 is the perfect family SUV as it offers up to 7 seats, a large cargo compartment, and top-tier safety. The all-wheel-drive system works brilliantly with the heavy XC90 and will be well suited for snow or rainy areas.
The XC90 3.2 has more than enough power for everyday driving, and the engine is smooth. The V8 offers quick acceleration for its size and feels more like a station wagon than a large SUV. The Geartronic transmission works well with both engines and seamlessly changes gears when needed without any jerking.
The DSGC stability system is a great function as it keeps the SUV level through corners with very little body roll; this just adds to the comfort of the XC90. Overall the Volvo XC90 is a great driving comfortable vehicle.
Our Verdict on the 2008 Volvo XC90
The 2008 Volvo XC90 was available in three models, the 3.2, V8, and the V8 Sport. When it was launched, Volvo offered many upgradeable options for the XC90, like the premium, convenience, and climate packages. The 2008 Volvo XC90 boasts an array of top-tier safety features such as WHIPS, ROPS, ABS, DSTC, and more.
The SUV has proven itself to be a very reliable family vehicle with a consumer rating of 4 out of 5 stars. The XC90 is currently more affordable than ever, and with all the bells and whistles that come with this SUV, it would be a great choice to own. I would recommend this brilliant SUV to my whole family.
