2018 Volvo XC90 Review: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
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The 2018 Volvo XC90 is arguably the best luxury SUV on the market today. Or is it? Gregson got his hands on one for a week and put it to the test to see if Volvo's award winning family carrier still hits the mark.
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Intro - "Bow and Arrow" - T-Mass
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If only Toyota would design something like this I’d be all in no matter the price
Exactly what we thought after our 24 hour test drive of an XC90. The 4 cyl engine with turbo and supercharger glued on didn't win us over. It's not like our P2 XC70. We went with a 4Runner.
Land Cruiser?
I have the T5 Momentum in the same colors black/amber. Love it! Few things to note:
1. Pilot Assist 2 is standard across all trims for 2018. So is the gigantic moonroof.
2. The T5 engine is also surprisingly sufficient and efficient. It's pretty close to the T6 despite the 250hp/250ish tq rating. They all require 91+ octane fuel.
3. The screen can be turned off if you long press the home button. I haven't had the heating issue myself, even on long road trips.
4. The car also includes 4 years of Volvo On-Call service - remote start, remote lock, other interesting stuff. After that it's kind of an expensive annual fee.
5. The standard suspension is also very comfortable. Everybody talks about the air suspension, which is sublime, but it's really not necessary to enjoy good ride comfort.
Thach Ho I just bought a CPO 2016 XC90 T5 and love it. Plenty of power and such a great highway cruiser. I didn’t have pilot assist 2 but set a service appointment to have it upgraded.
I know this is really old. But could you comment on T5 x T6?
@levimachado go for T5, which is a twin turbo with sufficient power. Better mileage and reliable too as compared to super charged T6.
I haven’t had any electrical problems with my 2018 XC90 - got it in Jan. It really is a dream to drive. However, my ivory leather gets dirty very very quickly, but that’s ok because it’s beautiful (and I’m leasing it for business use, so who cares lol).
PhillieG that leather comes clean with a magic eraser and some soapy water. Porsche put out a memo in 09 about dye in jeans transferring easily onto ivory seats. Happens on all brands but easily removed, if you end up caring.
50k miles is a long warranty?
I've only ever heard 10 year/100k
These things seem amazing, but I do worry a little bit about all that complexity. I saw a brand new XC40 a few days ago where the front end was a normal height and the back end was laying frame with the rear wheels tucked inside the wheel wells. I think it might have been an air suspension glitch, or possibly the thing was wayyyyy overloaded. I don't know, but what I can tell you is that it certainly looked broken. On a positive note, after seeing that I think the upcoming V40 will look quite good with similar styling.
I think a zero to 60 time is useless since turbos don’t spool up until a certain rpm is achieved. I think a 25 to 65 or 70 time is more relevant since that on ramp is a more realistic concern than a light to light drag race. That is not a 67 GTO after all.
I own a 2016 XC90 in the exact colors as the one In your video and my interior still looks pristine! I have 2 children who are in and out of my car in soccer and baseball uniforms and still I mange to keep the interior looking amazing.
how is it in the tight corners?
I have had my XC90 since 2016, and I really like it. It is really big though. So for around town I really like my Hyundai Tucson. I also agree with most of what you have said - including electronic gremlins. However, my display does not run hot. It sounds like you have a bad one. With all the tech and features, it is easy to understand why it didn't get a great maintenance/reliability rating. Other than some of the things you pointed out, mine required new rear brake pads and rotors at about 30,000 miles. That seems way too soon, but I understand the adaptive cruise relies heavily on them. I guess magic always comes at a price.
I would have chosen the lack of 2nd row USB outlets as a "bad" point instead of the amber colored seats. The interior color is always subjective to the consumer. Just 2 USB ports and no 110/115 volt household plug in a luxury family hauler is a huge oversight by Volvo. Most of your bad and ugly points seemed forced in an effort to fault the XC90. No vehicle is without its flaws, but complaining about the interior color....c'mon now.
You can push the second row seat back to have a better fit for your car seat.
It was all the way back in all shots of the video with the front seat close enough to be uncomfortable for anyone over 5’8”
-Gregson
If someone is going to buy one my recommendations NON hybrid, have total SW upgrade performed is a must. The transmission programming for years would mindlessly hurl to stops (same in SPA but I have video of this on my youtube channel with my P3 2016 XC70) and felt like there was no downshifting when coasting with foot off accelerator which was hard on the brakes but after many years has finally been improved in latest software I believe. If possible I would also avoid leather dash or park in garage or with sun shade because leather could start lifting in my opinion (happened on our XC70's) and was a nightmare. I would either go base sound system or B&W NOT Harman Kardon if you like to listen to music. In my opinion the Harman Kardon sounds like total garbage which I described in one of the new Volvo reviews on my website. The Harman Kardon just gives me a headache and I consider myself an audio guy. If under warranty and you notice any vibration bring to dealer to have them check rotors for runout and tell them if there is runout that you will PAY for new pads while they are already in there. A Volvo executive I recently emailed directly I believe seemed to indicate there has been a revision of the pads that Volvo I think claims is causing rotor vibration issue. Funny I have been complaining on my website and on twitter for years that I felt pads were too soft and brakes were less durable even have some videos on here about it since our P3's. In my opinion they probably finally realized it was costing them too much to replace rotors under warranty or word was getting out. Either that or they realized they weren't a good fit for their hybrids or EV's which I believe they are too obsessed with. Great vehicles but Volvo had ruined them by doing a couple stupid things in my opinion. I have been pushing for Volvo to address issues and have new Volvo reviews on mynewvolvoexperience.com and have been posting about issues on twitter or x at mynewvolvoexp for any Volvo people out there interested in some entertainment.
I buy Japanese cars...they are highly reliable.
I keep them for at least 10 years and/or 200k miles. Would this be a good choice?
There’s no need to worry about Geely. Geely even won the London black cab! And the new hybrid London black cab’s interior is based on a Volvo.
*own
fix your mic.... not the first this happens man!
Replacement is on its way. All these videos were shot when it went bad. Sorry!
-Gregson
Volvo options are actually much cheaper than e.g. Audi, MB.
Great video, thanks!
Thanks I need to hear this I live in West Palm Beach so the heat that well hit the screen scar me
Thank you for ur review. Im about to buy this car 😂🙏
Comparing to a Honda CRV is not realistic. Also there’s a reason why Volvo offers longer warranty. They’ve been known to break down prior to 3yrs.
The mpg is a joke, I’ve owned for half year, never above 18mpg, the safety techs are really good though
I averaged 20.7 mpg over 10 days of mixed driving.
-Gregson
Li Michael you are so right. I have had mine for one year now and the consumption is just as bad as my XC60 T6 inline 6 cylinder. It is shocking!
My husband purchased the T6 Inscription for me in Nov 2017 after downsizing from a 2016 Suburban. Beautiful car. However, it got terrible MPG just as you stated. I traded it in 3 months later for 2018 Suburban Premiere. I get better gas mileage on the Suburban oddly enough. I hope they improve the MPG on future models. Also, the infotainment system was a nightmare for me. Way too much going on there for me. If they could improve those two things the car would be perfect. Just my opinion. :)
I easily get 25 MPG in my 2017 Inscription...
dont understand why volvo made the engine 4 cylinder turbo charged and supercharged but still does not get that much more better mileage compared to other suv so what is the point ? wonder how that engine will last years from now specifically the turbos
OUR PETS HEADS ARE FALLING OFF!!! That's exactly why I eliminated it becsuse for that money I want it to last for a long time. I went with a new fully loaded Touareg instead with the sturdy VR6, which has a 10yr powertrain.
Nice review. I’m thinking about the 2009 XC90 V-8 R-Design for my next Volvo.
Sebastian Schwarz Go for it. My dad has one, and it is amazing. I've driven it, and it is nothing short of amazing. Sounds great, handles great, insane interior. It does rattle a little bit though (not too noticeable, mostly only on dirt roads). I say get one, if you can find one. They are quite rare. My dad came from a Toyota Land Cruiser and he likes the Volvo much more, even though he is giving up a good portion of the off road capability.
Sounds like a great idea, the Volvo/Yamha B8444S is a great engine and reliable.
2009 or 2019? Why would you get a 10 year-old car?
Maybe he comes from a not so rich environment, like me, and cars over 15k Euro are a dream.
@@nobodyjustme9164 Still, getting a 10 year-old car will cost you more in repairs than getting a cheap new one, or at least one that only has a couple of years on it. 10 years is really pushing it for how long a car will last. You will likely spend tens on thousands in repairs.
I have a Lincoln MKT and the screen get REALLY hot as well.
Worrying about 200,000 to 400,000 miles is laughable. Geely seems to be just a holding company, they let them (Volvo) go and they are being successful, so that's great. Most real problems like the electronics and the hot screens will fail before the 5 year warranty runs out. It does need to be watched though.
Fix the Engine noise in the audio
Man i hate that engine cover.
I defentliy agree with the electrical gremlen thing, the XC90 has a lot what we in Sweden call "barn sjukdomar" as most new models have.
As far as i know Geely has been great and let Volvo be Volvo in a way that Ford did not, and i both think and hope that that will not change.
And barn sjukdomar translates to "kid diseases" for those of you who wonders.
Engine cover is to prevent head injury if you hit a pedestrian that lands on the hood.
Connor Piper i know but it is still really ugly.
14:35 that issue and the windows needing resetting at 13:55 indicates that the car has had the battery either unplugged for some time or completely discharged. So in all when you talk about "issues" with the car it's really very easily owner fixable "issues"
That’s great! I was only speaking to my experiences and thank you for noting this. I can only provide so much information in 1 week. This comment is why I love the Volvo community. Thank you!
-Gregson
ShiftingLanes - you have no effin clue about cars do you? Still you are a reviewer? Shame ...
This color is not “tan”. It is Amber.
Damn......what's with all the Noise !!!
The noise that mic picked up was soooo bad....
Very honest review. Good
Did your tailgate ever stop working
13:55 press and hold (upwards) the window button and it resets.
Did that several times. Long holds of 30, 45, and 60. Seconds. Nothing.
-Gregson
Thank You for this review
does the brake panel makes noise (vibrating) when the autohold is on?
On my 2015 XC70 the tire pressure monitor has come on a couple of times when driving over hard bumps. Maybe that was the case with you, too?
No this happened as I received the car for the week long press loan. No driving happened before TPMS came on.
-Gregson
Then it really is a gremlin ;-)
My XC90 2016 same interior color is a dream. Love it. Yes I would have liked a 2.5 liters with a 5 cylinders as Volvo used to have. But CO2 laws here in Europe push them to go for this engine. And it works quite well actually. Gily is on Volvo since 2014. So this XC90 is the first model. Do a reset for your window and my central screen never heat at all...
Great video, I'm looking for a car for my mom with a third row. Any thoughts on the Mercedes GLS Vs. This?
Unfortunately haven’t driven that, but the GLS is a good car judging by what I’ve read. Definitely cross shop them
Next time, wear a boom mike headset, or a decent lapel mike, or get a better sound engineer to work with you if you expect viewers to understand your words when driving.
Comparing with a Ford Explorer? Uhmmm no.
Maybe an BMW X5 , Q7 even an F Pace
Is calling an SUV, “a truck” a new trend?
Lived in PA for 32 years.. no one ever called a suv a truck. Moved one state south to DE and notice everyone here calls em trucks. Odd
I just wish they kept the four cylinders for the suvs
GungHo Exactly. I feel a 6 cylinder should be the smallest engine for something that size. Maybe a 5cyl.
fix you audio man.
Good review.... But your audio quality is kinda bad
dont use potato micrphone
anything goes wrong with this car it's going to cost you period!
Zero evidence to back this up, and no mention of superb factory warranty. This is 100% garbage
Last 400,000 miles? What??!?
It might just be me, but for the longest time, I always thought the rear-tail lights look like a knockoff from Honda CRV. Each time I see a Volvo from the back, I instantly think of a CRV.
Skylar same 🙋🏼♀️
The opposite. Gear heads often say that Honda ripped off the Volvo 850. Those tail lights are kind of a staple of Volvo design since the early 90s. And. It was (of course) a safety thing.
Dude have you ever optioned a Porsche or a Merc etc....? Volvo starts with very good standard options and then adds extras for reasonable prices compared to competitors. Dumbest Effin review ever and comparing with a CRV?
Sound? Come on
Can't take the audio quality. Stopping at 1min.
bad audio
This guy is an amateur. He doesn’t listen to criticism. He probably will tell you the sound quality Is good. A $40 mic would fix the problem.
T6 2018 here, Screen doesn't get hot at all. what are you talking about?? thumbs down overall for this review..!!!
volvo es volvo
My ugly...center screen takes a long time to boot up. Sometimes when pulling out of the garage, I’d already be on the street before my back up camera appears on the screen. The bad...no power tilt and telescoping steering wheel...and that goes to all Volvos. I miss my old Mercedes where my seat backs up and steering wheel moves up when I turn off the engine. Another bad...no adjustable visors, no secondary visor either. This thing should be a no brainer.
James P lol my backup camera does the same! I just take it as a reminder to slow down and take my time. I’m always In a hurry to pick up kids 🤣 But it is annoying
Teresa Caceres since my June 2018 Sensus update, the boot up time is much improved. Get in, start the car, and the backup is ready to go right away.
👍
Sound was bad I just subscribed
you need a better mic/audio
Calling xc90 truck, hmm :/
First
Americans...
The sound is terrible !!
Talk too much. Geez! get to the point
No
@@ShiftingLanes your response matches your review....."shitty"!
Hey, Just like this comment! So pointless. Won’t make me change anything. Nice try.
Agreed. He likes to make a 15 minute video that should be 5 minutes.
I don't understand how Volvo gave you this car to test. You have not even edited the video well, you compare it to a CRV, and you haven't even isolated the audio from the dash and tire noise.....The only other reason I see that anyone should give you a car to test is if you are the nephew of Volvo. Likely the worst review I have seen. Not even a mention of the sound system, which sounds really nice.
Great point on the screen though!
"Supermity/superiority on the road" ....Likely the lamest thing you could have said.
Well its one marketing perspective...Unprofessionals acting like pro car reviewers.. Ya I may be pretty harsh, but seriously?!! Which car manufacturer's son are you?
Phil Indeblanc so he should have eliminated the real noise from the drive so you would feel better about your Volvo? The noise wasn’t faked was it?
only a 2.0 engine? no ty. for this fat car only a 2.0 engine? would buy it only for the name Volvo but the specs meeeh
All your ‘Ugly’ are speculative...Management change, Engine reliability etc... this car has been now out for 3 years, there should be a fair amount of data on how many engine issues were reported. I am sure there are a few pushing 100K on the odo ... why can’t you report with data points than dumb speculation ?
yeap
He doesn’t even know how long ago Volvo changed hands. He said 5 or 10 years since the Chinese bought Volvo. Is it 5 or 10, and how hard would it be to google that information? Then he says he read there could be some reliability issues. Where is the data?
new cars are junk. too many gizmodigets ! cant even figure out my wife's 2010 Subaru and that dosent have a screen. all wheel drive sucks. ill keep driving my 67 galaxie as long as the roads are clear.
I have to say that you seemed to have to dig really deep for “uglies”. They were pretty contrived, speculative and overly dramatic. Lots of “maybes”, “perhaps”, and “could possibly’s”.
You talk too much and talk about not important/unrelated things such as the tan leather seat color in the specific car you are driving. Change the title to "volvo xc90 with tan leather seats review" then... and the comments about chinese company... who cares... who knows if volkswagen wont buy volvo tomorrow. anyways... horrible review! definetely wont sign up!