Verdict
B
Large SUV · Sweden · 2002-Present
Volvo XC90
Volvo XC90 — spec data and generation history.
Years
2002-Present
Generations
2
Segment
Large SUV
Volvo's seven-seat SUV — Mk1 P28 (2002–2014) was the long-running Ford-era car with the 4.4 V8 (Yamaha-built) and the popular D5 inline-five diesel; Mk2 SPA (2015–Present) was Volvo's first car on its in-house SPA platform, with the T8 Twin Engine PHEV reaching 455 bhp on facelift cars. Mk2 has had two facelifts (2019, 2024) and has stayed on sale as Volvo's flagship while the brand pivots to electric (EX90 replaces it from 2024). Best-built XC90s are 2019+ on. Cabin minimalism set the segment template. T8 PHEV is the sensible buy for company-car users.
What changed
Era-to-era deltas
Mk1 P28 2002-2014 → Mk2 SPA 2015-Present
BHP +140 bhp (top, T8)
Torque +260 Nm
0-60 mph -1.7 s
Top speed +0 mph
MPG +50 mpg (PHEV)
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
2002-2014
Mk1 P28
→
4.4 V8 (Yamaha) — 315 bhp, 0-62 in 7.3s.
Verdict
B
BHP
315
0–60
7.3 s
Top
130 mph
MPG
20.0 mpg
Used
£1,500-£12,000
- + Yamaha V8 cult
- + Seven seats genuinely usable
- − Heavy on fuel
- − Cabin ages
2015-Present
Mk2 SPA
→
T8 PHEV AWD — 455 bhp, 0-62 in 5.6s.
Verdict
B
BHP
455
0–60
5.6 s
Top
140 mph
MPG
141.0 mpg
Used
£14,000-£82,000
- + T8 PHEV up to 455 bhp
- + Cabin segment benchmark
- − Sensus crashes
- − Heavy at 2,300 kg
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
2002-2014 · Mk1 P28
- Yamaha 4.4 V8 timing chain
- Auto transmission fluid
- D5 inline-5 swirl flap
- Sunroof drain blockages
2015-Present · Mk2 SPA
- T8 PHEV battery thermal
- Sensus / Android Automotive crashes
- Air-spring failures
- D5/D4 AdBlue dosing