The 2016 Volvo XC90 T5 AWD is the best XC90 model year, with the 2020 at #2 and the 2021 at #3. The 2016 earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+, has a 4.7 KBB.com rating, rates 23 combined mpg and started at $45,950.
Photo: Mr.choppers / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe XC90 to buy.
Powertrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder (T5) with 254 horsepower, 8-speed automatic, all-wheel driveIIHS rating: IIHS Top Safety Pick+KBB.com rating: 4.7 KBB.com ratingBase price when new: $45,950 MSRP (AWD T5 Momentum)EPA fuel economy: 22 city / 25 highway / 23 combined mpgNHTSA recalls and complaints: 8 recalls and 197 owner complaints listed for the 2016 XC90
The 2016 XC90 is the first year of the second generation, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 254 horsepower. It earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+, has a 4.7 KBB.com rating and rates 23 combined mpg. It started at $45,950, and NHTSA lists 8 recalls and 197 owner complaints for the 2016 XC90.
Go ifThe highest KBB.com rating on the list and a Top Safety Pick+
Skip ifYou want a mild-hybrid engine (2023 B5)
Why #1 over #2: It has a 4.7 KBB.com rating versus 4.6 for the 2020 XC90, with the same IIHS Top Safety Pick+.
2
2020 Volvo XC90 T5 AWD
Photo: HJUdall / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe first facelift.
Powertrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder (T5), 8-speed automatic, all-wheel driveIIHS rating: IIHS Top Safety Pick+KBB.com rating: 4.6 KBB.com ratingBase price when new: $50,850 MSRP (AWD T5 Momentum)EPA fuel economy: 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined mpgNHTSA recalls and complaints: 7 recalls and 34 owner complaints listed for the 2020 XC90
The 2020 XC90 T5 is the first facelifted second-generation year. It earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+, has a 4.6 KBB.com rating and rates 23 combined mpg. It started at $50,850, and NHTSA lists 7 recalls and 34 owner complaints for the 2020 XC90.
Go ifThe first facelifted year with a Top Safety Pick+
Skip ifYou want the lowest price of the facelifted years (2021: $51,500)
Why #2 over #3: It has a 4.6 KBB.com rating versus 4.1 for the 2021 XC90, with the same IIHS Top Safety Pick+.
3
2021 Volvo XC90 T5 AWD
Photo: RL GNZLZ / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe value facelift.
Powertrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder (T5), 8-speed automatic, all-wheel driveIIHS rating: IIHS Top Safety Pick+KBB.com rating: 4.1 KBB.com ratingBase price when new: $51,500 MSRP (AWD T5 Momentum)EPA fuel economy: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined mpgNHTSA recalls and complaints: 7 recalls and 18 owner complaints listed for the 2021 XC90
The 2021 XC90 T5 is a facelifted second-generation car with the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. It earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+, has a 4.1 KBB.com rating and rates 23 combined mpg. It started at $51,500, and NHTSA lists 7 recalls and 18 owner complaints for the 2021 XC90.
Go ifThe lowest price of the four 4.1-rated Top Safety Pick+ years
Skip ifYou want a higher KBB.com rating (2020: 4.6)
Why #3 over #4: It started at $51,500 versus $53,400 for the 2022 XC90, with the same IIHS award and KBB.com rating.
4
2022 Volvo XC90 T5 AWD
Photo: Mr.choppers / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe 2022 XC90.
Powertrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder (T5), 8-speed automatic, all-wheel driveIIHS rating: IIHS Top Safety Pick+KBB.com rating: 4.1 KBB.com ratingBase price when new: $53,400 MSRP (AWD T5 Momentum)EPA fuel economy: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined mpgNHTSA recalls and complaints: 4 recalls and 30 owner complaints listed for the 2022 XC90
The 2022 XC90 T5 is a facelifted second-generation car with the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. It earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+, has a 4.1 KBB.com rating and rates 23 combined mpg. It started at $53,400, and NHTSA lists 4 recalls and 30 owner complaints for the 2022 XC90.
Go ifThe last year of the T5 and T6 gasoline lineup
Skip ifYou want a lower price (2021: $51,500)
Why #4 over #5: It started at $53,400 versus $56,000 for the 2023 XC90, with the same IIHS award and KBB.com rating.
5
2023 Volvo XC90 B5 AWD
Photo: Charles from Port Chester, New York / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe first B5.
Powertrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder mild hybrid (B5), 8-speed automatic, all-wheel driveIIHS rating: IIHS Top Safety Pick+KBB.com rating: 4.1 KBB.com ratingBase price when new: $56,000 MSRP (AWD B5 Core)EPA fuel economy: 22 city / 28 highway / 25 combined mpgNHTSA recalls and complaints: 6 recalls and 41 owner complaints listed for the 2023 XC90
The 2023 XC90 B5 has a mild-hybrid 2.0-liter four-cylinder and rates 25 combined mpg, the best here. It earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+, has a 4.1 KBB.com rating and started at $56,000. NHTSA lists 6 recalls and 41 owner complaints for the 2023 XC90.
Go ifThe best fuel economy on the list, from the first mild-hybrid base engine
Skip ifYou want a lower price (2022: $53,400)
Why #5 over #6: It started at $56,000 versus $56,600 for the 2024 XC90, with the same IIHS award and KBB.com rating.
6
2024 Volvo XC90 B5 AWD
Photo: Charles from Port Chester, New York / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe newest XC90 here.
Powertrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder mild hybrid (B5), 8-speed automatic, all-wheel driveIIHS rating: IIHS Top Safety Pick+KBB.com rating: 4.1 KBB.com ratingBase price when new: $56,600 MSRP (AWD B5 Core)EPA fuel economy: 22 city / 27 highway / 24 combined mpgNHTSA recalls and complaints: 3 recalls and 36 owner complaints listed for the 2024 XC90
The 2024 XC90 B5 is the newest year here, with a mild-hybrid 2.0-liter four-cylinder rating 24 combined mpg. It earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+, has a 4.1 KBB.com rating and started at $56,600. NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 36 owner complaints for the 2024 XC90.
Go ifThe newest year on the list, with the fewest recalls of the Top Safety Pick+ years
Skip ifYou want 25 combined mpg (2023 B5)
Why #6 over #7: It earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ versus the Top Safety Pick for the 2017 XC90.
7
2017 Volvo XC90 T5 AWD
Photo: Elise240SX / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe 2017 XC90.
Powertrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder (T5), 8-speed automatic, all-wheel driveIIHS rating: IIHS Top Safety PickKBB.com rating: 4.6 KBB.com ratingBase price when new: $47,950 MSRP (AWD T5 Momentum)EPA fuel economy: 22 city / 25 highway / 23 combined mpgNHTSA recalls and complaints: 7 recalls and 80 owner complaints listed for the 2017 XC90
The 2017 XC90 T5 is an early second-generation car from before the facelift. It earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick, has a 4.6 KBB.com rating and rates 23 combined mpg. It started at $47,950, and NHTSA lists 7 recalls and 80 owner complaints for the 2017 XC90.
Go ifAn early second-generation year at a lower original price
Skip ifYou want the Top Safety Pick+ (2016 or 2020)
Why #7 over #8: It has a 4.6 KBB.com rating versus 4.5 for the 2019 XC90, with the same IIHS Top Safety Pick.
8
2019 Volvo XC90 T5 AWD
Photo: Vauxford / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe last pre-facelift year.
Powertrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder (T5), 8-speed automatic, all-wheel driveIIHS rating: IIHS Top Safety PickKBB.com rating: 4.5 KBB.com ratingBase price when new: $50,200 MSRP (AWD T5 Momentum)EPA fuel economy: 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined mpgNHTSA recalls and complaints: 6 recalls and 42 owner complaints listed for the 2019 XC90
The 2019 XC90 T5 is the last second-generation year before the facelift, with an Acceptable IIHS headlight rating. It earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick, has a 4.5 KBB.com rating and rates 23 combined mpg. It started at $50,200, and NHTSA lists 6 recalls and 42 owner complaints for the 2019 XC90.
Go ifThe last pre-facelift year, with an Acceptable headlight rating
Skip ifYou want the Top Safety Pick+ (2020)
Why #8 over #9: It has a 4.5 KBB.com rating versus 3.6 for the 2012 XC90, with the same IIHS Top Safety Pick.
9
2012 Volvo XC90 3.2 AWD (P28)
Photo: Dinkun Chen / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe first-generation pick.
Powertrain: 3.2-liter 6-cylinder, 6-speed automatic, all-wheel driveIIHS rating: IIHS Top Safety PickKBB.com rating: 3.6 KBB.com ratingBase price when new: $40,400 MSRP (AWD 3.2)EPA fuel economy: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpgNHTSA recalls and complaints: 0 recalls and 3 owner complaints listed for the 2012 XC90
The 2012 XC90 is a first-generation (P28) car with the 3.2-liter six-cylinder, a 6-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. It earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick, has a 3.6 KBB.com rating and rates 18 combined mpg. It started at $40,400, the lowest here, and NHTSA lists 0 recalls and 3 owner complaints for the 2012 XC90.
Go ifThe lowest original price on the list, from the first generation
Skip ifYou want 23 combined mpg (2016)
Why #9 over #10: It earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick, while the 2018 XC90 has no IIHS award.
10
2018 Volvo XC90 T5 AWD
Photo: Vauxford / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictNo IIHS award.
Powertrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder (T5), 8-speed automatic, all-wheel driveIIHS rating: Headlights rated Acceptable or Marginal by trim; no IIHS awardKBB.com rating: 4.6 KBB.com ratingBase price when new: $49,100 MSRP (AWD T5 Momentum)EPA fuel economy: 22 city / 28 highway / 24 combined mpgNHTSA recalls and complaints: 3 recalls and 51 owner complaints listed for the 2018 XC90
The 2018 XC90 T5 is a second-generation car from before the facelift. It has a 4.6 KBB.com rating and rates 24 combined mpg, but IIHS rates its headlights Acceptable or Marginal by trim and lists no award for it. It started at $49,100, and NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 51 owner complaints for the 2018 XC90.
Go ifA 4.6 KBB.com rating and 24 combined mpg
Skip ifYou want an IIHS award (2017 or 2019)
How we ranked these
We ranked each Volvo XC90 model year on ratings that are comparable year to year: the IIHS award first (Top Safety Pick+ above Top Safety Pick above no award), then the KBB.com rating for that model year, with original MSRP breaking ties in favor of the lower price. NHTSA recall and complaint counts are shown on every pick but do not set the order, because counts depend on sales volume and years on the road. NHTSA files the second-generation XC90 under several names (XC90 T5, T6, T8, B5, B6 and so on), so each count is the total across every XC90 name NHTSA lists for that model year. Prices are the starting all-wheel-drive MSRP from iSeeCars listings and mpg is from fueleconomy.gov for the base gasoline or mild-hybrid all-wheel-drive powertrain named, so plug-in hybrids are not charted. Photos: Wikimedia Commons pictures of the same generation. The 2016 pick shows a 2016 XC90, the 2017 pick a 2017 XC90 T6 Momentum, the 2018 pick a 2018 XC90 and the 2019 pick a 2019 XC90 R-Design. The 2020 pick shows a 2020 XC90 T5 Momentum, the 2021 pick an XC90 B6 Plus of the same facelifted body, the 2022 pick a 2020 XC90 T6 Inscription of the same body, the 2023 pick a 2023 XC90 and the 2024 pick an XC90 B6 AWD of the same body. The 2012 pick shows a first-generation XC90 with the pre-refresh nose. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the best Volvo XC90 model year to buy used?
The 2016 XC90 T5: it earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+, has a 4.7 KBB.com rating and rates 23 combined mpg.
Which Volvo XC90 model year has no IIHS award?
The 2018 XC90 is the only year here without an IIHS award; IIHS rates its headlights Acceptable or Marginal depending on trim.
How much did a new Volvo XC90 cost?
The cheapest here was the 2012 XC90 3.2 AWD at $40,400, and the 2024 XC90 B5 AWD Core was $56,600.
Which Volvo XC90 gets the best gas mileage here?
The 2023 XC90 B5, at 25 combined mpg (22 city and 28 highway).
EPA combined fuel economy at a glance
2012 Volvo XC90 3.2 AWD (P28)18 mpg
2016 Volvo XC90 T5 AWD23 mpg
2017 Volvo XC90 T5 AWD23 mpg
2019 Volvo XC90 T5 AWD23 mpg
2020 Volvo XC90 T5 AWD23 mpg
2021 Volvo XC90 T5 AWD23 mpg
2022 Volvo XC90 T5 AWD23 mpg
2018 Volvo XC90 T5 AWD24 mpg
2024 Volvo XC90 B5 AWD24 mpg
2023 Volvo XC90 B5 AWD25 mpg
EPA combined fuel economy, as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
