Volvo XC90: success story in the Netherlands

The Volvo XC90 story began in 1997 with the ‘Adventure Concept Car’, Volvo’s take on a full-size SUV. The final production model of the XC90, which came on the market five years later, was quite similar. The Adventure Concept did have a more curved window line at the side windows than the first XC90, whose window line followed the silhouette of the body. The large panoramic glass roof of the Adventure also had to be removed. What the Adventure didn’t have and the eventual XC90 did: seven full seats.

The engine range remained clear on the price list of the first XC90: initially Volvo supplied the large SUV only as a 272 hp strong T6 and 163 hp strong D5. Later, Volvo mainly expanded the number of petrol engines with a 2.5 T five-cylinder turbo and a 4.4 V8. The latter is special for several reasons. Volvo developed the 315 hp naturally aspirated block in collaboration with the Japanese Yamaha. The V8, like the five and six cylinders, is also placed transversely in the nose of the XC90. Incidentally, the eight-cylinder had a relatively short life at Volvo. The brand also supplied the engine in the S80, but with the XC90 the curtain fell for the V8 in 2011. After that, the number of cylinders at Volvo would only decrease.

Volvo XC90 V8

The first generation of the XC90 lasted until 2014, which means that it has been in production for no less than 12 years. Of course, Volvo made a number of changes to the SUV during the production period. In 2006, the XC90 received its most significant facelift, with the layout of the headlights and taillights being overhauled. After that facelift, you as a customer with the ‘Sport’ and ‘R-Design’ versions also had the option to dress up your XC90 in a sportier way than before. After the facelift in 2006, the Swedes actually only implemented smaller model year updates on the SUV. Over the years, the XC90 received LED daytime running lights and LED taillights, a larger and wider font of the Volvo logo on the tailgate and standard colored bumpers and wheel arches. Eventually Volvo could no longer keep it up to date in this way and decided to discontinue it with the first XC90.

Modernization stroke

The second – and current generation – replaced the first XC90 in 2014. With the new XC90, Volvo took a radically different approach in terms of design language, which would later be applied to the entire range. In particular, the headlamps, the ‘Thor hammers’, are a striking design element. Volvo also radically overhauled the interior. The rather cumbersome and now quite dated navigation system of the first XC90 made way for a large touchscreen. To complete the digitization, he was also given a fully digital set of instruments.

Not only in terms of design did Volvo work quite radically with the new XC90, but also in terms of engines, the broom went through the range. This resulted in Volvo only supplying the XC90 with four-cylinder turbo engines. Diesel drivers had the choice of a D4 or D5, but the emphasis was on the petrol engines. The XC90 came on the market as T5 and T6, but most attention went to the plug-in hybrid T8. The XC90 T8 was the first Volvo with a plug-in hybrid powertrain and could hardly have come at a better time for the Dutch market. When the XC90 T8 came on the market, it fell in the advantageous addition rate of 7 percent. This meant that business drivers en masse put their signature under a lease contract for a new XC90, as a result of which Volvo sold an average of 2,770 copies of the XC90 in 2015 and 2016. A record number for the model, which was not equaled in the years that followed.

Volvo XC90, but electric

Another big change is in store for the next chapter in the XC90 story. The SUV will then get a fully electric variant for the first time. AutoWeek was recently able to show patent plates of this. The electric XC90 remains broadly faithful to the current model, but does receive some design influences from the Recharge Concept that Volvo presented in 2021. Incidentally, the electric XC90 does not immediately mark the end of the current XC90: it will continue to exist next to it for the time being.

A success

To date, Volvo has sold a total of 18,865 units of the XC90 on the Dutch market. With that number, the SUV does not fall into the top 10 most popular Volvos in our country, but the XC90 does a lot better here than its direct competitors. BMW comes closest with 16,614 X5s since 2000, but Audi and Mercedes-Benz are lagging well behind with 5,407 Q7s and 11,183 M-class/GLEs respectively.

One of the cheapest, you just have to dare …

The success of the XC90 means that you still have quite a bit to choose from on the used market. You can start from a few thousand euros. For €3,950 the above XC90 T6 with almost 3 tons on the counter is in front of the door. Prefer the unique V8? Then you can opt for this copy for €11,750. The available range clearly shows that XC90s are suitable cars for long distances. High mileage is the rule rather than the exception. Do you want a first-generation XC90 from a relatively recent year of construction with less than 2 tons on the clock? Then you have to pull the cut. This D5 from 2013, for example, still has to yield €18,500. Then you know that he will probably be around for a long time.

Volvo XC90 Excellence

Prices for the second generation XC90 start at around 35 grand. This 2015 T8 Inscription for example, costs €37,999 and features such pampering as a Bowers & Wilkins audio system and cognac-colored leather upholstery with heated and ventilated seats in the front. If that’s not enough, the Volvo XC90 Excellence is ready for you in the used car range. Then you have to give up three seats in the back, but you will get two VIP seats in return. Prefer a newer copy with ‘the head off’? Then you will lose about €80,000 to €100,000. In short, an XC90 for every budget!

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