DecodedCars2008 Volvo XC90
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV AWD 3.2, 4dr SUV AWD V8
- Engines
- 3.2L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 16 combined · 14 city / 20 hwy
- Length
- 189 in
- Curb weight
- 4,654–4,755 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 16 MPG combined, 15% below the 2008 SUV - average of 18.9 MPG.
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 16 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2008 Volvo XC90 is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (3.2L 6-cyl and 4.4L 8-cyl) and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 189 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,654 lb (4dr SUV AWD 3.2).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 16 MPG combined (14 city / 20 highway), 15% worse than the 2008 SUV - average of 18.9 MPG, for an estimated $5,150 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2008
- Engine dropped: 2.5L 5-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG down from 18 to 16
- Lightest version 278 lb heavier
Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 XC90 →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV AWD 3.2 | 189 in | 74.8 in | 70.1 in | 112.6 in | 64.2 / 63.8 in | 4,654 lb | 53/47 |
| 4dr SUV AWD V8 | 189 in | 74.8 in | 70.1 in | 112.6 in | 64.2 / 63.8 in | 4,755 lb | 53/4794 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XC90 FWD | 3.2L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | -15% | $5,150 | 555 |
| XC90 AWD | 3.2L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | -8% | $5,150 | 555 |
| XC90 AWD | 4.4L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 19 / 15 | -14% | $5,500 | 592 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Volvo XC90 under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2008 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Volvo XC90 (this car) | 16 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2008 Land Rover Range Rover | 15 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2008 Porsche Cayenne | 16 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2008 BMW X5 | 18 MPG | Not rated | 12 |
| 2008 BMW X3 | 20 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2008 Lexus RX | 25 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2008 Lexus LX | 14 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
Recalls (1)
Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System) · Nov 8, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V566000 · 416 vehicles
- Problem
- VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
- Risk
- AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
- Fix
- VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.
Not every 2008 Volvo XC90 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2008 Volvo XC90 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 6 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 5 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 3 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 101,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Volvo XC90. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other XC90 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 XC90 | 25 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 XC90 | 27 | 195.7 in | Not rated | 1 | 8 |
| 2025 XC90 | 27 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 3 | 29 |
| 2024 XC90 | 27 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 4 | 37 |
| 2023 XC90 | 27 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 7 | 41 |
| 2022 XC90 | 27 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 5 | 31 |
| 2021 XC90 | 27 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 7 | 42 |
| 2020 XC90 | 27 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 9 | 34 |
| 2019 XC90 | 25 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 6 | 42 |
| 2018 XC90 | 27 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 3 | 52 |
| 2017 XC90 | 25 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 7 | 82 |
| 2016 XC90 | 25 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 8 | 198 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volvo. How we calculate this →