This older XC90 is something I seen often in my childhood. It never really caught my eye but after sitting & driving the newer XC90, Volvo really has made a secret class winner all this time.
After growing up in the 90s with crappy wood panel minivans and a 1970s Buick, my dad finally bought a 2004 xc90. It was like a freaking spaceshape compared to most other vehicles at the time. Owned it all the way until 2019 w/ 300,000 miles on the odo
I was at a car exhibit for 2003's cars in Sweden. The XC90 with all extras was on display. I remember sitting in that car and all other manufacturers cars as well. The XC90 was by far the most impressive car on exhibit. I don't know about the base model, but their premium model XC90 with all extras was almost overwhelming at the time. The only car I was blown away by.
I love all of your retro reviews, whether it's from when you started in the 80s all way up to the 2000s. The car industry evolves and changes so quickly that it can interesting to see what was considered groundbreaking or a new technologie from just a few years ago.
I have an 06 the body is immaculate, ice cold ac,everything still works, interior still intact,the only thing I change was the radio,I installed a touch screen with back up camera.
@@d4rbo Just bought a '09 V8.....Brilliant motor. Yes, it's 11 years old now: Bit tatty around the edges...obviously..("working on those") but it's the same model as available in 2014.... When something is this good: Why change it? As regards the stereo....The sound is brilliant....May be slightly "dated" to some but it works fine for me. (DYNAUDIO: An optional extra I think?) As trance says: This car is not "retro"....I feel it's the car other manufacturers aspire to.
Great idea uploading this as the new XC90 is out and you reviewed that as well. I think that should be a new trend; releasing reviews of previous generations whenever new generations of vehicles come out that you've reviewed as well. Makes it fun to watch them back to back and compare the changes.
Now thats crazy, 15 years ago you can get a XC90 for $40k top trim, in 2018 add $30k for a T6 Inscription. The Excellence, which ive seen only on the net is an additional $30k to $40k on top of that! Dang! Times have definitely changed.
@@user-oq3lv6lv7x Yes. $30k back then is around $50k now. My dad paid $50k for his (2006, entertainment system and all the electronic goodies, 7 row seats) and it was $50k. $70k in todays money.
This car was pretty ahead of its time in 03, crossovers were just barley coming out. The new Xc90 blows me away just as much as this one did 12 years ago
Do people still think "boxy" with Volvo? I hope not. The s80 and s60 that came out in 1999 and 2000 were in no way boxy. That's 20 years ago. Most Volvos aren't boxy now. in fact, none of them are. This xc90 is not boxy. In fact, it's more rounded and sculpted than the newest one.
This review isn't all that retro, since this XC90 has remained unchanged for the last 13 years. The all new 2016 total redesign is finally upon us, with a 316 hp supercharged turbo 4 cylinder or a 400 hp hybrid.
In the old days low-displacement V8s can fit transversely mounted, which I never thought it was possible, because I thought that any engine greater than 6 cylinders should be longitudinally placed. Today, it holds true though that all V8s and above must be longitudinally placed. The old V8s also had less horsepower compared to most of today's V8s.
GM's 5.3 V8 was mounted transversely in some of their models in the 2000's. I wouldn't call that a low displacement engine. And that 5.3 made about 240HP.
Most Volvo drivers live in much more extreme conditions. Keeping any car in a ventilated dry space will add years to its useful life. How is your uncle's car these days... three years on.... ? Not much change I imagine. (What year? That would be interesting...)
Unlike my previous Volvo's that I have owned this one was badly built. I wanted to buy one on auction last year and they were super cheap. Despite many of them on the floor everyone was passing them. I decided to check the best one among those and as soon as I open the door the interior lights and park lights plus hazard warning lights comes on. They never come off again. Best Volvos are the ones that were made before Ford took over Volvo
I own three 2006 XC90s and one 2006 V70 and dearly love them plus one lonely BMW 3 coupe. Will never part with them, well maybe the 3 coupe for the right price.
All I know is that every T6 model built and sold were garbage compared to the 5 cyl....every transmission has been replaced in the T6 at least 3 times....if you ever look at the $500 xc90 for sale on CL it will be a T6.
i see alot of these on the road but have never done the research to check the specs can we a 1st gen BMW x5 now preferably one with the 4.4l V8. thanks retro reviews
I have a bmw m6 135,000 dollar it’s fast got all this useless technology.But I really in love with Valvo I have own 3 so much fun comfortable safe reliable vehicles 🙌🏽🙌🏽
But the 2.5T 5-cyl was very torque-ie at a very low rpm. It was not sluggish off the line at all. You can have your flashy high horse power rating, but I'll take the low-end torque any day. And the Volvo-made 5-cyl was more reliable than the Yamaha-made V8 on the XC90. The 5-cyl was a tough little bruiser.
My 2004 Volvo XC90 never left me stranded trans went still ran rear went still ran computer brain went but still got me every where I wanted to go had to get rid of the car but still miss it
I think Volvo reliability is trash... Other than that I actually love'm this was WAY AHEAD OF ITS TIME!! I really want a station wagon but I can't afford to be paying for retarded repairs, and with them being older now that probably have been been taken care of it's too late to hit the used market
The phrase "Volvo engineer" is seriously in question as few vehicles are as failure prone as a late model Volvo. It's clear the engineers at Volvo still don't have any idea how to design a vehicle that's even close to as reliable as a base model Hyundai Accent at a fraction of the cost. Volvo is a huge fail.
Sorry you've had bad luck. My '04 XC90 is loaded, everything works perfectly, and with 181K and on its 3rd timing belt, it runs like a clock. Smooth, quiet, reliable, not a speck of rust anywhere -- and I'm having the front seats re-upholstered soon..
@@gusttigoll9118 Nope. Shifts like new -- and doesn't leak a drop. But, I have no illusions. With Volvo's obscene replacement parts pricing and their dealerships' shameless profiteering/highway robbery, the XC90 is one major repair away from becoming a donor car -- going piece by piece to eBay buyers. Example: They want $260 - $397 for a second (back-up) keyfob, key and the necessary programming -- at the Volvo dealership, of course. With their prices for everyday repair and maintenance items -- you'd think they were made from solid gold. Volvo (at large) seems determined to compete with the likes of Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Jaguar to take the crown for naked capitalism -- especially through ugly elitism.
Considering the culture of arrogance that permeates Volvo, you'd think they would devote more energy to simply making their cars reliable in the real world and day to day commute. A breakdown can set you back as much as a serious medical matter -- and the folks at the dealership laugh all the way to the bank.
@@gusttigoll9118 Nope. Shifts like new. On another note, I changed the engine oil about 1,200 miles ago with Mobile One and it's still clear as new -- and it doesn't use or leak a drop. But at 182 K and 16 years old, I try not to get too attached to the car -- I know that it's one major repair bill away from becoming a donor car.
Crazy how new this styling still looks almost 20 years later
Probably has something to do with the fact that the first gen lasted till 2015!
Which is why I am buying one of 1st generation XC90s!!
This 18 year old SUV is still safer than 90% of SUVs sold today.
And the other 10% are new Volvos.
These are tanks! Such a safe structure that’s why they weigh so much
@@santileonsteinberg1441 Rough on tires, yet safe for humans (I always say that rubber is cheaper than blood).
@@Eidrian111 You Got This! VOLVO for LIFE!!
This older XC90 is something I seen often in my childhood. It never really caught my eye but after sitting & driving the newer XC90, Volvo really has made a secret class winner all this time.
This is the SUV i get so much nostalgia for, even if my family never even had one.
After growing up in the 90s with crappy wood panel minivans and a 1970s Buick, my dad finally bought a 2004 xc90. It was like a freaking spaceshape compared to most other vehicles at the time. Owned it all the way until 2019 w/ 300,000 miles on the odo
I was at a car exhibit for 2003's cars in Sweden. The XC90 with all extras was on display. I remember sitting in that car and all other manufacturers cars as well. The XC90 was by far the most impressive car on exhibit. I don't know about the base model, but their premium model XC90 with all extras was almost overwhelming at the time. The only car I was blown away by.
First production car with blind spot monitoring!
Volvo Xc90.
The only _"soft roader"_ I have any respect for.
I love all of your retro reviews, whether it's from when you started in the 80s all way up to the 2000s. The car industry evolves and changes so quickly that it can interesting to see what was considered groundbreaking or a new technologie from just a few years ago.
I have an 06 the body is immaculate, ice cold ac,everything still works, interior still intact,the only thing I change was the radio,I installed a touch screen with back up camera.
This car ain't retro. Probably the only thing slightly dated about this car is the stereo system. Crazy this is a 14 year old vehicle!
Trance88 jesus it’s nearly 20 now
@@d4rbo Just bought a '09 V8.....Brilliant motor. Yes, it's 11 years old now:
Bit tatty around the edges...obviously..("working on those") but it's the same model as available in 2014....
When something is this good: Why change it?
As regards the stereo....The sound is brilliant....May be slightly "dated" to some but it works fine for me. (DYNAUDIO: An optional extra I think?)
As trance says:
This car is not "retro"....I feel it's the car other manufacturers aspire to.
Great idea uploading this as the new XC90 is out and you reviewed that as well. I think that should be a new trend; releasing reviews of previous generations whenever new generations of vehicles come out that you've reviewed as well. Makes it fun to watch them back to back and compare the changes.
I had a XC90 in 2005 with the Yamaha V8. Loved that vehicle and engine. It felt so special back in the day. Great review BTW.
I love Volvo classic cars. this XC 90 is first SUV Volvo from 2003
Still driving an '04 XC90 2.5T, the most well-built and reliable vehicle I've ever owned.
Now thats crazy, 15 years ago you can get a XC90 for $40k top trim, in 2018 add $30k for a T6 Inscription. The Excellence, which ive seen only on the net is an additional $30k to $40k on top of that! Dang! Times have definitely changed.
well technically 40k back then is equivalent to almost $60k now.
@@user-oq3lv6lv7x Yes. $30k back then is around $50k now. My dad paid $50k for his (2006, entertainment system and all the electronic goodies, 7 row seats) and it was $50k. $70k in todays money.
This car was pretty ahead of its time in 03, crossovers were just barley coming out. The new Xc90 blows me away just as much as this one did 12 years ago
ACEcolorado1 It is basically what Tesla is back then
I thought the infiniti fx45 looked pretty good back then the same year it came out.
@@ptingz9307 that car was way ahead of its time
Do people still think "boxy" with Volvo? I hope not. The s80 and s60 that came out in 1999 and 2000 were in no way boxy. That's 20 years ago. Most Volvos aren't boxy now. in fact, none of them are. This xc90 is not boxy. In fact, it's more rounded and sculpted than the newest one.
This review isn't all that retro, since this XC90 has remained unchanged for the last 13 years. The all new 2016 total redesign is finally upon us, with a 316 hp supercharged turbo 4 cylinder or a 400 hp hybrid.
In the old days low-displacement V8s can fit transversely mounted, which I never thought it was possible, because I thought that any engine greater than 6 cylinders should be longitudinally placed. Today, it holds true though that all V8s and above must be longitudinally placed. The old V8s also had less horsepower compared to most of today's V8s.
GM's 5.3 V8 was mounted transversely in some of their models in the 2000's. I wouldn't call that a low displacement engine. And that 5.3 made about 240HP.
Volvo engines are not truly broken-in until they have at least 50,000 miles. After 50K they seem to run freely and have more power...
These days any decently designed engine will go much longer with regular lubrication
They break-in more or less around 100K.
My uncle has one... bought new and still looks brand new. He does live in California and is garage kept tho.
Most Volvo drivers live in much more extreme conditions.
Keeping any car in a ventilated dry space will add years to its useful life.
How is your uncle's car these days... three years on.... ?
Not much change I imagine.
(What year? That would be interesting...)
Here's a MotorWeek Retro Review of the 2003 Volvo XC90 from 2002.
That is typical US way of dating your cars model year!!!
Man. The XC90 and Volvo have both come a long way since.
this old one is way better that second generation of xc90
Dig the retro's
@ 2:24 seconds!!! I'll buy it if she comes with it!
You could do better
In the UK they were sold in 2002 so 19 years old in 2021 for UK and 18 years in the USA
Unlike my previous Volvo's that I have owned this one was badly built. I wanted to buy one on auction last year and they were super cheap. Despite many of them on the floor everyone was passing them. I decided to check the best one among those and as soon as I open the door the interior lights and park lights plus hazard warning lights comes on. They never come off again. Best Volvos are the ones that were made before Ford took over Volvo
My parents have an 06 v8 edition
Love these cars
I love my xc90 ❤
I own three 2006 XC90s and one 2006 V70 and dearly love them plus one lonely BMW 3 coupe. Will never part with them, well maybe the 3 coupe for the right price.
All I know is that every T6 model built and sold were garbage compared to the 5 cyl....every transmission has been replaced in the T6 at least 3 times....if you ever look at the $500 xc90 for sale on CL it will be a T6.
same with the T6 S80, they both came with the garbage GM transmission
owen75 yes so true. I forgot about the s80. Funny how the gm tranny could not handle this engine.
If only they redesigned with a different transmission and kept the engine it would be sought after today
loved this video
Is there a Retro Review of the cult classic Volvo 240?
Yes, the 242 Turbo. Just look for "autoweek retro Volvo" You'll find it
Hey any chance you have the e39 540i? 1998 in specific? That would be a great retro review
I just seen this car pass by my street as I was watching this video XD
i see alot of these on the road but have never done the research to check the specs can we a 1st gen BMW x5 now preferably one with the 4.4l V8. thanks retro reviews
I have a bmw m6 135,000 dollar it’s fast got all this useless technology.But I really in love with Valvo I have own 3 so much fun comfortable safe reliable vehicles 🙌🏽🙌🏽
Wish me luck that I'll buy this car eventually and give my brother my current s60. So I can take people on road trips. 😀🙊
I like how they appropriately appointed a female to be the tester of this particular class of vehicle
Once It gets too Russia it’s going to seriously need this equipment and tech
Like war heads and vodka dispenser
Loved my T6 until some bitch t-boned me on the drivers side. I walked away. I have another Volvo. love my Volvo
2003 tundra ?
Plz?
All of the engines offered over the years were underpowered except for the 4.4L V8.
But the 2.5T 5-cyl was very torque-ie at a very low rpm. It was not sluggish off the line at all. You can have your flashy high horse power rating, but I'll take the low-end torque any day. And the Volvo-made 5-cyl was more reliable than the Yamaha-made V8 on the XC90. The 5-cyl was a tough little bruiser.
DisneyMusicVideos they were powerful enough.
It’s slow but the drivers don’t care…even the v8 isn’t fast
My 2004 Volvo XC90 never left me stranded trans went still ran rear went still ran computer brain went but still got me every where I wanted to go had to get rid of the car but still miss it
Dear Model = you are gorgeous
MotorNews reporter Jennifer Khasnabis
2003 is retro????
Guys, keep retro to vehicles that are pre 2000's.
Technically this is from over a decade ago...
No.
Acc0rd79 Why?
radudeATL 2000's just passed us, why the heck do I want to see reviews on cars that are all over the road still? That's not very "retro"
I figure the closer we get to 2020, the more retro 2000 begins to feel lol
I think Volvo reliability is trash... Other than that I actually love'm this was WAY AHEAD OF ITS TIME!! I really want a station wagon but I can't afford to be paying for retarded repairs, and with them being older now that probably have been been taken care of it's too late to hit the used market
Bruh why was this 17 year old video recommended to me 😂
a.god.royota.tramision.woo.be.q.way.bator.bolbo.Gm.trans.misons.ar.jank.anda.motors.ar.no.good.
The phrase "Volvo engineer" is seriously in question as few vehicles are as failure prone as a late model Volvo. It's clear the engineers at Volvo still don't have any idea how to design a vehicle that's even close to as reliable as a base model Hyundai Accent at a fraction of the cost. Volvo is a huge fail.
Sorry you've had bad luck.
My '04 XC90 is loaded, everything works perfectly, and with 181K and on its 3rd timing belt, it runs like a clock. Smooth, quiet, reliable, not a speck of rust anywhere -- and I'm having the front seats re-upholstered soon..
@@MichaelRMcCoy any problem with the transmission ?
@@gusttigoll9118 Nope. Shifts like new -- and doesn't leak a drop.
But, I have no illusions.
With Volvo's obscene replacement parts pricing and their dealerships' shameless profiteering/highway robbery, the XC90 is one major repair away from becoming a donor car -- going piece by piece to eBay buyers.
Example: They want $260 - $397 for a second (back-up) keyfob, key and the necessary programming -- at the Volvo dealership, of course.
With their prices for everyday repair and maintenance items -- you'd think they were made from solid gold.
Volvo (at large) seems determined to compete with the likes of Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Jaguar to take the crown for naked capitalism -- especially through ugly elitism.
Considering the culture of arrogance that permeates Volvo, you'd think they would devote more energy to simply making their cars reliable in the real world and day to day commute.
A breakdown can set you back as much as a serious medical matter -- and the folks at the dealership laugh all the way to the bank.
@@gusttigoll9118 Nope. Shifts like new.
On another note, I changed the engine oil about 1,200 miles ago with Mobile One and it's still clear as new -- and it doesn't use or leak a drop.
But at 182 K and 16 years old, I try not to get too attached to the car -- I know that it's one major repair bill away from becoming a donor car.
Calling an 03 a retro review is an insult. Please.... 00 or older. Even a 98 retro review is dumb....
These things were all in junkyards within 5 years. Total garbage!
You don't know what you are talking about!
We still drive our 03 every day. 180k miles on it.
STAY FAR AWAY FROM A VOLVO XC 90 CAN ONLY BE REPAIRED AT VOLVO AND CAN ONLY GET PARTS FROM AVOLVO DEALER STAY AWAY
Oh, Joseph! ....In a word: BOLLOCKS.
i bring mine to a former volvo tech at a private repair shop, but i do agree that parts are super expensive