Volvo V90 cars

About the Volvo V90

The Volvo V90 has been around for a long time, and has dominated the estate car market since its launch in 1997.  

This premium Swedish estate is available with turbocharged petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid engines. 

You can also choose the Cross Country version which offers plenty of off-roading capability.  

Other trim levels include the Momentum, R-Design and Inscription, but even entry-level Momentum models are very well equipped and offer all you need from a premium estate car.  

Its main rivals are the BMW 5 Series Touring and Mercedes-Benz E-Class estate.

Is the Volvo V90 reliable?

Volvo has always had a very strong reputation for reliability and safety, and that’s where the V90 shines. The brand always ranks well in trusted consumer surveys, and very few models go wrong.  

As for safety, the V90 offers the best in its class. It scored a full five-star rating following its Euro NCAP testing, earning some of the highest scores available for both adult and child occupant safety.  

This is mostly thanks to its incredible onboard safety features including Volvo’s semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system that allows the car to partly drive itself on motorways.  

Other features are Volvo’s Run-off Road protection system that detects if the car has driven off the road. There are also special absorption modules fitted to the seats that Volvo claims will reduce the impact on the passenger in the event of an accident.   

What are the Volvo V90 features?

Being an estate, it would be rude not to start at the rear. The V90’s boot offers 551 litres of available space that expands to 1,517 litres when the rear seats are folded flat.   

This is particularly useful on longer trips where you may need to carry lots of stuff. You can also fit a roof box to Volvos, creating even more space. 

In the cabin, the luxury continues because the V90 has one of the best interiors you’ll ever experience at this price point.  

The nine-inch portrait infotainment system is standard across the range and is really easy to use, with the option of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.  

Some models come with a 12.3-inch digital dash that allows you to display your maps, music and vehicle stats when driving.   

If you really like your music, then you may want to look out for a V90 with the optional 1,400W Bowers & Wilkins sound system, comprising 18 speakers. 

What's the Volvo V90 like to drive?

The V90, like its interior, keeps it simple when it comes to engine options. All variants are based on a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that's both efficient and punchy.  

There are three petrol options available, starting with the T4 then moving up to the T5, and ending with the range-topping T6. 

The entry-level diesel engine is called the D4 and produces the same power as the T4 petrol engine, and is definitely the better option if you do a mixture of town and motorway driving.  

The D5 has four-wheel drive as standard, making it the best option if you're planning to tow anything.  

Newer models feature a plug-in hybrid system with up to 36 miles of range on electric power alone, and up to a claimed 134mpg.