(I did a search of previous posts and did not find a hit - if this has been covered already please point me in the right direction.)

I currently own a 2004 XC90 which I've had since it was new. I like the car a lot (after 12 years ) but it's looking like it might be time to replace it. It's got over 250K miles and it's at that stage where there is one repair after another...

I'm seriously considering a 2017 (or 2016 if any are left) Momentum - not sure of which options I would choose but probably on the more "basic" side. I'd like to go in to this with as much understanding and as few surprises as possible. So, my question is if you have owned both generations of XC90s, what feature/characteristic from the 1st gen is not there in the 2nd gen that you think is worth mentioning? I'm not looking for differences like power plant since that's a given. An example for me would be the split tailgate. I really like that feature but know that the 2nd gen has a "conventional" tailgate. This is the kind of thing that I would want to know up front if possible. Another "minor" example is that the rear turn signals don't use a yellow bulb/lens. I think that's safer and a better choice but am aware that the new model uses a red one.

So, is there something about your 1st gen XC90 that you liked, or at least were aware of, that is different or missing in the 2nd gen model? If so, please describe what the difference is and thanks for the feedback!

I had a 2009 XC90 and it was amazing made me fall in love with Volvo. I now have a 2016 xc90 momentum plus and love it even more then my first. i think it surpasses it in every way. regarding your concern about the tail gate the 2016 is easier cause its automatic open and close and in my opinion the red LED turning signal just look way nicer with the whole taillight design.

 

I currently own a 2004 XC90 which I've had since it was new. I like the car a lot (after 12 years ) but it's looking like it might be time to replace it.

Been there...

So, my question is if you have owned both generations of XC90s, what feature/characteristic from the 1st gen is not there in the 2nd gen that you think is worth mentioning? I'm not looking for differences like power plant since that's a given. An example for me would be the split tailgate. I really like that feature but know that the 2nd gen has a "conventional" tailgate.

The tailgate was my biggest concern. I *loved* the split tailgate! One of the wonderful things about it is that it allowed you to load/unload and the surface towards your pants was always clean (the top of the bottom section of the tailgate). On the 2nd gen, I solved the problem with the textile mat (http://accessories.volvocars.com/en-ca/XC90(16-)/Accessories/Document/VCC-491476/2016) that has a built in cover. It is not nearly as practical as the split tailgate, but it works for me.

Beyond that, there is almost nothing I miss from my old 2004 XC90. Mmm, may be the security windows that were thicker and seemed to filter some of the outside noise.

PS: I didn't noticed the rear turn signals being red until I read your post. Now there is something that bugs me about the 2nd gen.

 

Been there...

The tailgate was my biggest concern. I *loved* the split tailgate! One of the wonderful things about it is that it allowed you to load/unload and the surface towards your pants was always clean (the top of the bottom section of the tailgate). On the 2nd gen, I solved the problem with the textile mat (http://accessories.volvocars.com/en-ca/XC90(16-)/Accessories/Document/VCC-491476/2016) that has a built in cover. It is not nearly as practical as the split tailgate, but it works for me.

Beyond that, there is almost nothing I miss from my old 2004 XC90. Mmm, may be the security windows that were thicker and seemed to filter some of the outside noise.

PS: I didn't noticed the rear turn signals being red until I read your post. Now there is something that bugs me about the 2nd gen.

I can't think of a single thing I miss about the old one(2006) Night and day. If anything maybe the door sounded more solid on close. I had a beige interior with a beige dash(they changed it to black in 2007) and I hated the glare so was glad to see it go. That all said comparing these two cars is hard as gen 1 was a basic utilitarian workhorse and gen 2 is a luxury car.
Not sure I would go in planning on the basic model. I have a loaded momentum and don't feel there is anything I would do without.

 

I honestly never considered a Volvo until the 2nd generation XC90. Now, I'm quite impressed with the brand and hope good things for them as a company and brand moving forward. I trade generally every 3 or 4 years and 15 months into ownership of my First Edition I'm still on board for trading in for another Volvo down the road.

It's nuts but now as I drive I spot other Volvo's on the road all over the place where I never used to.

 

As you can see in my sig - two XC90 first version and most recently a 2016 XC90.

I still miss the split tail gate: I used to use it as a place to sit when changing my shoes, etc. To be honest - I'd give up the automatic / electric open close function of the current one for the split I used to have.

My 2007 XC90 was ordered with the wood steering wheel (something that I think you could only get with OSD at the time). Loved it! I was pleased to see the 2016 offered the wood steering wheel as well - but it is a bit different. The older style was 100% wood around (grip wise) and smaller ... the newer one is wood on the outside and other material on the inside (making the grip larger / less desirable to me).

Otherwise - I would have called the new car something completely different - XC91 or XC99 ... as there's really not a lot of comparison. It is wider, longer, much more refined. Coming from older XC90's I wasn't expecting it to be ... this good. The only downside: there's a big jump in the cost for all this as well.

 

I still miss the split tail gate: I used to use it as a place to sit when changing my shoes, etc. To be honest - I'd give up the automatic / electric open close function of the current one for the split I used to have.

I agree, I use the split tailgate all the time as a seat or shelf. Really a shame that it's gone. Though I know it's not for everyone...

 

The split tailgate also works well to get access with 4 bikes loaded on our rack. Not enough clearance I would think with the traditional hatch since the rear window doesn't open up separately.

A small miss but an important one to a lot of first gen owners.

Thanks,

Mike

 

I miss the raw power of the V8 in my 2008, but my 2016 gets a lot better mileage, so I guess it's a wash. The old model did seem like it was built more solid. There was way more isolation from outside noise, and the doors had a much more solid "thunk" when you closed them. Other than that, I prefer the new vehicle in pretty much every way.

 

the doors had a much more solid "thunk" when you closed them.

Volvo used to glue thick pieces of bitumen on the inside of the doors.
Very solid-sounding, certainly as compared to some Japanese cars.
But I don't think it was really more solid, mostly perception
Zahra

 

I, too, had a 2004 XC90 (bought Overseas Delivery) and took delivery last October of a 2016 Momentum Plus (also Overseas Delivery). My son still drives the 2004.

I miss the split tailgate; made a nice seat for changing into golf shoes, etc..

But other than that, comparing to the new model is apples & oranges. The 2016 could be the poster child for "new." Lots of upgrades.

Glad I made the purchase.

 

New member here. Purchased a 2017 Passion Red R-design last week (felt like I had to travel to the ends of the universe to find one on a lot). I purchased a 1st gen in 2005. Kept it only for 3 years before moving on to something else. It's good to be back! To answer the original question, I personally hated the split tailgate. I recall my dog at the time seemed to have a difficult time navigating it when needing to hop in the back. Over time it became a real pain and even now it was one of the reasons I passed on the X5. So don't miss it!

 

Had a 2005 XC90 T6. Great vehicle other than the transmission. Sold ours before the transmission went (again) pushing 125K miles only.

 

We still have our 2006 XC90 V8 that we picked up via OSD. I would echo the comments regarding the split tail gate. That's the only thing I am going to miss on our new XC90.

 

My first thought was the split tailgate, my wife didn't even remember it. I miss the more compact size of the first gen but I love the interior space of the new one. The second gen feels smaller than it is on the road. The new XC90 feels so serene to me due in no small part to the adaptive cruise control, auto braking and pilot assist (all essential pieces of kit!)
I have a Momentum with the convenience package (ACC, park assist & PA), surround sensors and blind spot monitoring. The only thing I wish I would have included was the a heated steering wheel. I have over 13k miles on her I still am very happy every time I'm in the drivers seat.

 

There is one other detail we miss: the headphone jacks on the C-pillar.

We often listen to a particular comedian on long trips but, with road noise, people on the 2nd and 3rd row would sometimes miss a joke or two. The headphones jacks were perfect because then each one could adjust their own volume independently of the others. And I could lower the volume if I needed to without disturbing the others.

I also miss the look of my old wood steering wheel. The new one is partially wooden (I have it) and, IMO, it doesn't look nearly as nice as the old one.

But, let's make it clear: we love our new XC90. It is so much better in so many aspects that comparisons are just not fair.

 

Security windows

Yes

No?

...seemed to filter some of the outside noise.

Laminated side windows are available as an option, although perhaps not everywhere.
Zahra

 

I have a 2005 XC90 V8 under 190k miles. It has all packages, RSE, except navigation system. I have a 2016 XC90 T6 Inscription Polestar-optimized. It has all packages, 21-inch wheels, air suspension, HUD, and several accessories.

I miss the split gate trunk and the C-pillar headphone jacks. The wood steering wheel developed a hairline crack. I miss the V8 smoothness, quiet cruising and wide open throttle growl. We have many of our favorite albums on CDs and our public library has many books on CD, thus, we miss the 6-CD changer.

Everything else on the new XC90 is better. We decided to keep the old XC90 because we love it. I have been refreshing our old XC90 bit by bit. Ex. It underwent a total suspension refresh recently.

 

I finally let go of our 2004 T5 last year, after amazing 187K miles. Drove 3,700 miles in our 2017 T6 R-design in Europe this summer (will pick up the car next week in NorCal) and we do miss the split tail gate the most. However, this 2nd gen XC90 is so much quieter, feels very luxurious and much more solid and steady on the freeway. Our kids used to use the c-pillar headphone jack, but they don't miss it at all, since they can just use their smartphone/tablet to listen to their musics now. It could use a few more USB ports for charging tho .

 

I owned several 1st gen XC90's, both pre-facelifted as facelifted. Only the last version with LED taillight I didn't had.

Personally I had to laugh a little about some items in your table. Some brand-new option those days are already out of fashion. IMHO I don't believe you can simply compare both generations in such a table. The differences are huge especially in the ride and handling.