Overview

Despite being renowned for its estate cars, the Volvo V90 is set to be one of the last Swedish wagons sold in the UK. Despite making a terrific family car – as our long term test proves – the popularity of Volvo’s SUVs has seen sales falling, leading to the V90 and smaller V60 being culled in 2023. With that in mind, you’d best be quick if this understated luxury estate is top of your shopping list as they’re already only available from stock.

The V90 faces some formidable opposition for the money: the BMW 5 Series Touring, Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate and Audi A6 Avant are all direct rivals, and each have their own appeal. Their makers have perfected the art of building desirable premium models, so Volvo has its work cut out going head-to-head with these players.

As ever, though, Volvo can count on a number of pioneering safety features to help it stand out, most notably the standard-fit Pilot Assist adaptive cruise control system (with lane-keeping assistance), and highly-effective crash mitigation systems to help avoid accidents in the first place.

The V90 is a stylish car, too. The boxiness of big Volvo estates from the past has gone, and this car cuts a dash thanks to the company’s signature ‘Thor’s Hammer’ LED daytime-running lights.

Inside, Volvo’s gone its own way, too. Using design elements shared with the XC90, the V90 is light and airy, and offered in some very interesting colour/material combinations. In many respects it’s a more comprehensively designed interior experience than those rivals offer. The large central touchscreen that replaces many of the buttons is in portrait orientation rather than landscape, and the latest models have a very high level of Google integration.

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The driving experience is very particular to the V90, as well. Volvo calls its approach ‘Relaxed Confidence’ and it’s a refreshing change from the sporty pretensions of German rivals. This is a quiet, comfortable cruiser – particularly if you opt for the adaptive suspension package. Based on the same Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) underpinnings as many other Volvo models, the components are well proven and reliable. The engines are all mild hybrids or plug-in hybrids; the latter is one of the best hybrid estates available.

There is also a Volvo V90 Cross Country. With higher suspension and plastic cladding, it’s aimed at people who want something a bit more rugged.

Over the next few pages we’ll be thoroughly reviewing every aspect the Volvo V90 and giving them our verdict. The scores take into account the driving experience, how pleasant the interior is, the practicality on offer and how much it will cost to run.