Makes›Volvo›XC90›2017

2017 Volvo XC90

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2017 models.

Volvo XC90
Pictured: Volvo XC90 T8 AWD Plug-in Hybrid Plus (II, 2. Facelift) – f 03102025. Photo: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Body styles
4dr SUV AWD T5, 4dr SUV AWD T6, 4dr SUV AWD T8 PHEV, 4dr SUV FWD T5
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Horsepower
250–316 hp
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Seats
7
Fuel
Plug-in Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
25 combined · 24 city / 27 hwy
Length
194.9 in
Curb weight
4,337–5,115 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
7 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 25 MPG combined — 35% better than the average 2017 standard SUV (18.5 MPG).
  • Plug-in hybrid version availableOffered as a plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Seats up to 73 rows of seating.

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 11 similar 2017 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2017 Volvo XC90 is a standard SUV offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 195 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 117-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,475 lb (4dr SUV AWD T5).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (24 city / 27 highway), 35% better than the 2017 standard SUV average of 18.5 MPG, for an estimated $3,300 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 7 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 82 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2017

  • Lightest version 1726 lb lighter

Compared with 2016; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2016 XC90 →

Trims, performance & features

Engine250–316 hp2.0L turbo 4-cyl
Engine313 hp2.0L turbo 4-cyl plug-in hybrid
DriveAWD/4WD
Seating7 seats · 3 rows

Trims

MomentumInscriptionR-Design

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard
Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Blind-spot monitoringOptional
Lane departure warningStandard
Lane keeping assistOptional
Adaptive cruise controlOptional
Parking assistOptional
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Adaptive driving beamStandard
Keyless startStandard

Built in: Torslanda, Sweden

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2017 XC90 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV AWD T5194.9 in79.1 in70.1 in117.3 in65.7 / 65.7 in4,475 lb53/47
4dr SUV AWD T6194.9 in79.1 in70.1 in117.3 in65.7 / 65.7 in4,632 lb53/47
4dr SUV AWD T8 PHEV194.9 in79.1 in70.1 in117.3 in65.7 / 65.7 in5,115 lb53/47
4dr SUV FWD T5194.9 in79.1 in70.1 in117.3 in65.7 / 65.7 in4,337 lb53/47

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
XC90 AWD PHEV Plug-in Hybrid2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive24 / 27 / 25+35%$3,300238
XC90 FWD2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)Front-Wheel Drive22 / 26 / 24+26%$3,400373
XC90 AWD2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive22 / 25 / 23+24%$3,550384
XC90 AWD2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive20 / 25 / 22+19%$3,750399
7/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
8/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $1,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
18.5 MPG2017 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2017 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2017 Volvo XC90.

Similar 2017 standard SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2017 Volvo XC90 (this car)25 MPGNot rated7
2017 Lexus RX30 MPGNot rated3
2017 Audi Q722 MPGNot rated7
2017 Tesla Model X295 miNot rated10
2017 Land Rover Discovery23 MPGNot rated3
2017 Acura MDX27 MPG★★★★★9
2017 Jaguar F-Pace29 MPGNot rated4

Recalls (7)

Seat Belts › Critical Fasteners · Dec 7, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V827000 · 2,911 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2015-2024 XC90 vehicles. The second-row seat belt buckle and lower belt anchor bolts may not be tightened properly.
Risk
An improperly tightened seat belt buckle may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing their risk of injury during a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect and tighten the second-row seat belt buckle anchorage bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 19, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10259.
Electrical System › Software · Apr 21, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V273000 · 162 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2016-2020 XC90 Excellence vehicles. Liquid or condensation on the rear seat control display may cause the front passenger seat to move back as far as possible.
Risk
The rear passenger may become trapped by the front seat without the ability to cancel the seat's movement, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will update the rear seat control display software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 14, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10093.
Electrical System › Software · Nov 13, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V800000 · 17,548 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Volvo XC90, S90, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, XC40, XC60, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The software installed in the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) may have an error causing the Telematics and Driver Support Systems to function improperly. As a result, the GPS will not provide location information to emergency personnel in the event of an emergency.
Risk
If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.
Fix
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R39917.
Seat Belts · Jun 8, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V370000 · 1,305 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017 XC90 vehicles. The Micro Gas Generator (MGG), a subcomponent part used within the right hand side seat belt retractor for the third row seats, may detach after the seatbelt retractor pretensioner is deployed.
Risk
Although, the seat belt will operate as intended in the event of a crash, if the MGG detaches, it may be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the third row passenger's side seatbelt retractor, free of charge. The recall began August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89716.
Air Bags › Side/Window · Feb 16, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V104000 · 10,476 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017 XC90, S90, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The bolts that secure the Inflatable Curtain (IC) air bags in place may break, possibly resulting in the IC air bag deploying improperly in the event of a crash. As, such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
Risk
If the IC air bags do not deploy properly in the event of a crash, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Fix
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 1, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89714.
Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly · Nov 2, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V798000 · 74,027 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 XC90, S90, XC60, V60 Cross Country, V60, S60 Cross Country, S60, and S60 Inscription vehicles manufactured February 16, 2015, to August 22, 2016. On the affected vehicles, the front passenger seat belt buckle attaching stud may loosen, allowing the buckle to separate from the seat belt bracket. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages" and number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Risk
If the seat belt buckle separates from the bracket, the front seat passenger may not be adequately restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front passenger seat belt buckle stud, replacing the seat belt buckle as needed, free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89708.
Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner · Sep 26, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V690000 · 43,766 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Volvo XC90 and S90 vehicles manufactured April 15, 2015 through September 19, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the drain hose for the air conditioning may leak into the passenger compartment due to a drain hose installation error during manufacturing.
Risk
Significant water drainage into the passenger compartment may adversely affect air bag deployment in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Fix
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air conditioning drain hose for proper installation, replacing the hose as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on November the 14, 2016. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this campaign is R89707.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2017 Volvo XC90 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

82Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
3Involved a crash
9Involved a fire
12Injuries reported
20,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine25
Unknown Or Other23
Electrical System19
Service Brakes7
Structure › Body6
Power Train6
Fuel/Propulsion System6
Vehicle Speed Control5
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
23/09: 124/01: 124/02: 224/03: 124/07: 124/08: 124/09: 424/12: 325/03: 125/05: 225/07: 225/08: 125/09: 125/11: 425/12: 126/01: 126/02: 126/03: 426/04: 326/06: 126/07: 126/08: 126/09: 426/10: 223/0924/0324/0925/0525/0926/0126/0426/08max 4

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2017 Volvo XC90 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 7 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Engine — 25 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  3. Electrical System — 19 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Service Brakes — 7 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 20,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2017 Volvo XC90. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other XC90 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 XC9025–Not rated00
2026 XC9027195.7 inNot rated18
2025 XC9027194.9 inNot rated329
2024 XC9027194.9 inNot rated437
2023 XC9027194.9 inNot rated741
2022 XC9027194.9 inNot rated531
2021 XC9027194.9 inNot rated742
2020 XC9027194.9 inNot rated934
2019 XC9025194.9 inNot rated642
2018 XC9027194.9 inNot rated352
2016 XC9025194.9 inNot rated8198
2014 XC9019189 inNot rated04

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volvo. How we calculate this →