Volvo V90 review

Every V90 has a 2.0-litre engine with some form of electrical assistance. The B4 and B5 petrol cars are mild hybrids, while the T6 (345bhp) and T8 Recharge (450bhp) are both plug-ins with an 18.8kWh battery giving up to 55 miles of electric range. Every V90 has an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The T6 and T8 are all-wheel drive because the e-motor drives the rear wheels, while the rest of the range is front-wheel drive. 

Is there a fast one?

If that’s what you’re worried about, then we suggest you look elsewhere. The 450bhp AWD V90 T8 Recharge (0-62mph in 4.8 seconds) is certainly brisk, but remember this is a big, plush Volvo estate we’re talking about.

Fine. So is it comfier than a big, German estate?

That’s better. Now, the Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series and to a lesser extent the Audi A6 are all comfortable cars in their own right. We're not sure the Volvo is necessarily more comfortable than the Mercedes, for example, but it’s at least as good. Certainly rides very well on the optional adaptive dampers (as fitted to our test car) and is exceptionally quiet. The seats and driving position are grand too. 

This is truly a superb car in which to while away many hours, with dynamic qualities that perfectly match the calming, relaxing ambience of its cabin. The controls are fluid and offer up no nasty surprises. It copes fine if you choose to drive like a bit of a lout, but the V90 does precisely nothing to encourage that sort of behaviour and y’know what? That’s fine by us. 

How much will it cost to run?

The hybrids cost the most to buy, but ought to be the cheapest to run providing you have somewhere to charge them (and actually bother). Both claim between 18-25g/km of CO2 and up to 352mpg... which they won't do unless you charge with religious dedication and regularity.

Which you should. Following an update, both Recharge cars get bigger batteries (and a more powerful rear e-motor) so where the old T6 claimed 35 miles and did somewhere in the mid twenties, this new one claims up to 55 miles, which in reality means around 40. That's enough to make a difference to your daily commute if - crucially - you keep it topped up. The petrol B4 and B5 V90s claim between 36-40mpg, on the other hand, and emissions of between 161-175g/km CO2.

Our most recent test was of the T6 plug-in. Most of the time you have little indication whether the engine is running or not, which is surely the measure of a good PHEV. As is the fact the engine and e-motor trade duties with no unseemly jerks. With the combustion engine switched on and working hard, it soon becomes obvious it’s not quite as refined as it could be and the eight-speed auto is a bit sleepy, but in general use we have no real complaints.

What about the safety tech?

The V90 is a safe car, no doubt. The full five stars from Euro NCAP, with especially good scores for protecting adult occupants and its active safety and driver assistance systems. There are entirely too many to list, but rest assured Volvo takes this kind of thing VERY seriously.