I'm also curious about this. I would think the 3.2 would be better in the long run due to the lack of complexity, but that's only an assumption.

 

The 2.5T is far less complex than the 3.2.

2.5 is a basic 5cyl with a turbo.

3.2 has:
Adaptive intake manifold
Dual lobe intake cam lifters
Rear End Aux Drive
etc

 

2.5t hands down.

I have an 06 xc90 2.5t and an 09 xc70 3.2

the 3.2 is a complete dog in acceleration and very thristy compared to the 2.5t. if you can get a 2.5t with all the records (synthetic oils is a must) then you are probably better off with that.

 

1+,

I asked the same question last year and ended up with 2.5T engine because:
- I can replace the timing belt myself. I know the 5-cylinder engine very well.
- The Aisin trans in the 2.5T is robust.
I have 95K miles now, zero issues.

The discussion between 2.5 vs 3.2 is in this thread:
http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=379907

There is a way to decode the VIN number to tell if you have 5-seat or 7-seat version.

 

3.2, only because you can't get the 2.5 in the face-lifted version. 155k+ miles on my 2007 3.2 and no issues.

-- DavidV

 

You still have 3.2 how many miles?

 

3.2 with 230K - No issues so far.

 

I would go with the 2.5.. Well, I did get a 2.5. But when buying used, it boils down to budget, and availability. What's around you and what condition is they are in. I'm glad i found what I did because it's been great.

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Positive replies for the most part, it doesn't appear that the 3.2 is something to stay away from unless possibly in high altitudes. I am familiar with the 2.5T as my C70 has one so I can vouch for that one. Let me pose another question. What are the prime reasons you purchased your XC90 over other more popular 3 row seating brands? As mentioned, I am a Chevy and Volvo owner. I understand that safety is the major one for many, anything else?

 

Because it has had any exceptionally long production run, so it is easy to keep even an older model looking current. Also, it was the least SUV/truck-like option, and I wanted something that had more of a Euro wagon vibe to it. Here's mine:

-- DavidV

 

Thanks, those are good reasons. Nice pic of your ride. Do you XC90 owners love your rides? Would you buy another if the situation presented itself for various reasons?

 

I would buy a stick if they offered it. That's my main complaint with the xc90

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I purchased mine because we are a Volvo family and have had very good experiences. Went with Volvo after the birth of our twins and wanted a safe car.

In total we've owned three: the S70 (just sold for 2X blue book value with 175,000 miles in mint condition), a 2002 XC70 Cross Country, and our recently acquired 2007 XC90 V8.

 

We purchased ours because she wanted to sit high, and I wanted a car. Since the XC90 is not a truck, and she liked it we bought it. As for the facelift, etc. That's all bunk when buying a used car. Buy the best car you can find for your money (see below). We bought the best we could find at the time (2008). The local dealer was getting a well optioned 2006 2.5 as a trade, she liked it, that was when the car had 23k on it. Now 100k miles later with regular semi synthetic oil changes it is still fine. YMMV.

In September someone towing a trailer took the side of my 79k mile E39 540i Sport Manual (the one with a lot of M5 stuff). She who must be obeyed "recommended" I replace it with a slushbox. Since a BMW automatic is about as inspiring to drive as a Volvo automatic she decided I needed an S80. Two cars passed my scrutiny. One was from a guy three miles from me had a 2009 T6 with 72k miles. The other was from a guy twenty miles from me had a 2007 V8 with 59k miles. I bought the one that offered the most value. in te XC90 you will hear how great the 2.5 or 3.2 is. You will also hear horror stories. It comes down to condition, maintenance, records, etc. Once more YMMV.

 

I really get the part on car versus truck. I have two trucks, 13 Silverado and that Colorado. The C70 is a weekend or DW car for the most part. I am ready for a vehicle that seats seven that you don't need a nerf bar to get in (those with shorter legs), something you can park more easily, car like ride, and can safely transport the family.

I do like the step up from the run of the mill cars that Volvo offers in material and overall safety performance. From what all of you generously offered, it appears that the XC90 has a good reputation with both engines. I hope to find the best overall deal to be one with the 2.5T though. Thanks for the informative, thoughtful responses, great bunch here at SS.

If they did make one with a stick, I would not hesitate. I think that the XC70 had that option, maybe not.

 

I would love to get a diesel Colorado but they don't make it in stick. The only thing they do now is the frontier and Tacoma it seems

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I have owned both a 2.5T and a V8 XC90. Both are great motors: the 2.5T is actually better for around town driving, and the V8 does better on the open road. Both get decent fuel mileage for an AWD car of this size (way better than any other brands I have considered). I would not hesitate to get another 2.5T or V8 again. As for the 3.2, I drove one for a day as a loaner - it seemed under powered and dull. Personally, I think the decision should be 2.5T or V8, but that is just me.

Hope this helps.

 

Back when I was in the market for one or the other, both seemed good but the 2.5 seemed a bit more reliable from hours of forum reading here; perhaps also due to the greater age of the model, the highest mileage posters were typically 2.5t owners.

 

Drove the 2.5T and bought a 3.2, but that's because the deal was right. I'm thinking that in the long run the 3.2 may be a bit more rugged, but the 2.5T had a more interesting sound. As others have alluded to, the 3.2 is kind of "boring". I don't feel that it's underpowered, but i'm not trying to tow a giant trailer either.

 

If I wanted to tow a big trailer, I would buy a Dodge Ram or f150.. At 5 or 6k a tranny, euro cars aren't meant to tow.

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Towing, this is also a consideration although it would not be the primary vehicle for the task. Does anyone know what the tow rating is for the 2.5T?

Rust, if we go with the older model due to the 2.5 optional engine then this will be another consideration. Our C70 has a 12 year no rust claim, is this the case for all Volvo cars/SUVs or at least the XC90?

One more while I am on a roll, what major changes were done in the 2007 facelift?

Also, thanks for the newly added thoughts on owning these vehicles, they are important to probably more than just me.

 

no rust on our 2006 xc90. the acura on the other hand.....

 

face lift on the xc90 are pure B.S. and the guys that us the "facelift" as an excuse to buy a newer model year are justifying their purchase. 1st Gen XC90 looks very much alike for the whole decade it was made. the changes are very small and only a trained eye or Volvo enthusiast can tell the difference. If you ask a normal person in differences between xc90 they would tell there are none. I choose the 2.5T because 1) it was what I wanted in the sense of options, 2) it was close to home and 3) these 5cyl engines have been around for a veeery long time and have proven themselves over and over.
I have never driven a 3.2 but from what I hear here in the forum they seem to be very sluggish and very loud, but this is internet for you. From people I know that have the 3.2 they have nothing but good things to say and I yet have to hear one mention lack of power. I work in auto industry and personally I am not fan of turbocharged engines as daily drivers because its a part that can easily fail due to poor maintenance and it can be very expensive to replace if you are not mechanically inclined. Not to mention all the vacuum hoses running in the engine bay which over time go bad and tracking a vacuum leak in a turbo car is a pain in the ass. On the other hand the Swedish have perfected their turbochargers for a long time and their cars are the only ones I would buy turbocharged. I have seen 2.5T go as much as over 230k miles on OEM turbocharger.
So take it for what it is, but in car forums most of people are car enthusiasts and we want not only reliability but also performance so sometimes the answers are bias and based on pure performance. You decide what works for you but all Volvo engines so far (2.5T, T6, 3.2 and V8) have proven to be pretty stout .

 

The tow rating even on the 2.5 is 5000lbs. My 04 has no rust at all. I live in long island and and the previous owner drove it to the beach a lot for years. I can tell because if was full of sand.

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The tow rating even on the 2.5 is 5000lbs. My 04 has no rust at all. I live in long island and and the previous owner drove it to the beach a lot for years. I can tell because if was full of sand.

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I used to live ON Long Island by the beach. Sand in the car was normal for many - not for me - I was too anal.

Awesome responses, thanks!

There are two AWD 2.5Ts on a lot now, a black 04 with 108K and a white 05 with 110K. I am not sure what packages they have or what is offered for packages. Both have leather power seats, climate control, sun/moon roofs, heated mirrors, 3rd row seats, and garage door openers. I believe both have CD changers also. These could all be standard, I just don't know. Both are listed for $9K. I could not find one 2.5T 06 listed anywhere, must be one of those unicorns that are coveted by their owners!

Based on the well written responses, I am convinced these are good values as used SUVs. Reliable drive trains and good body metal, not to mention style, creature comforts, and safety. I want to slip down Friday to test drive but not sure I will get to do so. Even the tow rating works for the boat!

Another nice feature of the 2.5T is that it can be tuned for another 30 hp. The 2.5T C70 is a heavy car on the P1 chassis and a lot of guys go for Polestar for warranty purposes. I probably would leave well enough alone as I have with our C70 but the tune is an option just the same with the 2.5.

I think there was a change to the Haldex in 2006. Not sure if that matters. It didn't to me when we bought an 06 only because it was there.

 

Awesome responses, thanks!

There are two AWD 2.5Ts on a lot now, a black 04 with 108K and a white 05 with 110K. I am not sure what packages they have or what is offered for packages. Both have leather power seats, climate control, sun/moon roofs, heated mirrors, 3rd row seats, and garage door openers. I believe both have CD changers also. These could all be standard, I just don't know. Both are listed for $9K. I could not find one 2.5T 06 listed anywhere, must be one of those unicorns that are coveted by their owners!

Based on the well written responses, I am convinced these are good values as used SUVs. Reliable drive trains and good body metal, not to mention style, creature comforts, and safety. I want to slip down Friday to test drive but not sure I will get to do so. Even the tow rating works for the boat!

Another nice feature of the 2.5T is that it can be tuned for another 30 hp. The 2.5T C70 is a heavy car on the P1 chassis and a lot of guys go for Polestar for warranty purposes. I probably would leave well enough alone as I have with our C70 but the tune is an option just the same with the 2.5.

 

I have an 06 2.5 with 102,000 miles. So far it has been a solid vehicle but I've only owned it since Aug.

I bought or xc90 because we sold my wife's grand Cherokee, but still needed something to tow and haul with. I wanted a reliable safe fuel efficient SUV. Not many others had the level of features and got over 20mpg. It's my second Volvo. I had a c70 and I loved it.

I had a hard time finding one under 100,000 miles by me.

 

The XC90 has performed well as a tow vehicle for me. I have towed my 22' boat with both the 2.5T and the V8: the 2.5T did fine, but the V8 does much better and gets much better mileage than the 2.5T while towing.

 

I'm partial to the 2.5t... The whiteblock has been around for a long time and there are only like 2 things that go wrong and they're preventable (PCV, t-belt). The Haldex changes are as follows (from memory) 04-05 is Haldex II (90* wheelspin before power sent), 06-07 is Haldex III 1/17 wheel revolution or something before power is sent back because the DEM pump is preprimed, and later (09?) it's Haldex IV where it's an all electric DEM with no mechanical pump.

 

http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread.php?168160-Haldex for additional detail and can have a look at this http://www.awdwiki.com/en/haldex/#Haldex_all_wheel_drive and this http://www.awdwiki.com/images/volvo-xc90-awd.jpg if you were so inclined.