Volvo V90 Recharge estate review

“Eight out of ten dogs rate Volvo
estates The Best — and their owners
will be quick to endorse them too.
Hardly surprising because if you
want refinement, space, and unruffled
pace, and are keen to do your bit to
protect the planet, then a plug-in V90
Volvo estate is hard to beat...”

AND WHILE VOLVO'S OWN range-topping SUV, the XC90, offers even more space (and can carry seven), those with four legs much prefer not having to jump so high to reach their sweet spot in the boot. The V90 Recharge T6 AWD we've been putting through its paces this week sits in the uber-popular hybrid class — it's a PHEV so unlike an all-electric it can manage perfectly should you miss a charge.

Some pundits are now predicting that big family 'hold-all' estate cars with four-wheel drive — as epitomised by the V90 — might even replace the all-conquering SUVs. What really matters though is not what currently tops the best-seller lists but that drivers continue to have a choice. The V90's trump card is perhaps that it doesn't attempt to be an Audi, BMW or Mercedes-Benz. All fine motors to be sure but they don't have the unique ingredient that defines every Volvo: Scandi chic.

“Spend a few moments
taking in the V90’s
chiselled lines and
beautifully-fettled cabin
and you probably won’t
be expecting to put one
on your drive for
anything less than fifty
grand. Surprisingly,
one these handsome
‘wagons’ costs
significantly less, with
the V90 range kicking off
from just Ł41,645.
True, choosing the higher
spec versions will mean
spending more: our
Inscription test car
retailed at Ł56,800.
Bear in mind, too, that
any of its German rivals’
estates — Audi A6,
BMW 5 Series, Mercedes
E-Class — will likely cost
you even more if you
want to enjoy the same
equipment levels...”

Power for Volvo's big but understatedly sleek estate comes from a turboed 2.0-litre petrol-drinking four-pot partnered with an electric motor; in the plug-in V90 models the rear-mounted electric motor drives the rear wheels when 4WD is engaged. A smooth-shifting 8-speed autobox makes life easy while your right foot controls 250bhp from the petrol engine plus a further 86bhp from the electric motor that can get you to 62mph from standstill in a crisp 5.9 seconds.

Stay smart and fully utilise the V90's PHEV character and you could see 104.6-134.5mpg by keeping to short commutes between recharges while generating 'green' CO2 emissions of just 47-61g/km. It's easy to keep the plug-in faith and by ensuring the battery is fully charged you'll also enjoy up to 52.8 combustion-free, zero emissions miles of pure electric driving.

Volvo was quick off the mark with plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains — so quick that its first PHEV went on sale close to a decade ago and well ahead of any rivals. Since then the technology has leapt forward and plug-ins have become the go-to powerplants for those not yet committed to making the life-changing jump from pure combustion to all-electric cars. While you can still buy a diesel powered V90, the brand's new Recharge-branded petrol-electric hybrids and pure electric models now call the shots.

In real-life conditions, trips of 30-50 miles can be made in the powertrain's all-electric 'Pure' drive mode. If that fits with your regular driving requirements then you'll definitely be quids in with a plug-in. However, the real advantage of driving a proper plug-in as opposed to an all-electric car is that while you can maximise your mpg by staying fully charged, the system keeps on ticking even if you don't or can't: our 'worst' figure while driving hard on long journeys after using up all our battery juice came in at a respectable 39.3mpg.

But back to the kerb appeal. Spend a few moments taking in the V90's chiselled lines and beautifully-fettled cabin and you probably won't be expecting to put one on your drive for anything less than fifty grand. Surprisingly, one these handsome 'wagons' costs significantly less, with the V90 range kicking off from just Ł41,645. True, choosing the higher spec versions will mean spending more — our Inscription test car retailed at Ł56,800 although a clutch of options raised that to Ł63,265. However, justifying Ł60K is not so hard given that forking out for any of its German rivals' estates — Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class — will likely cost you even more if you want to enjoy the same equipment levels.

For the record, the options fitted to our test car included a Lounge pack (Ł1,950: Premium Sound by Harmon Kardon with Dolby Pro Logic II Surround Sound, power glass tilt-and-slide panoramic sunroof with sun curtain and advanced Interior Air Cleaner), a Climate pack (Ł575: heated rear outer seats, heated steering wheel and heated windscreen), Volvo's Active Four-C Chassis (Ł1,500: four corner adaptive dampers with two corner (rear) electronic Air Suspension), parking camera (Ł525: 360° surround view with side proximity sensors), dark tinted rear side windows and cargo area (Ł400), a set of 20-inch 8-multi-spoke alloys (diamond cut/black) wearing 255/35 rubber (Ł800), and all finished off with metallic paint (Ł715).

“Volvo interiors are up
there with the best and
the V90’s soft blond
Nappa leather upholstery
is so much more
uplifting than the
endless ‘any colour so
long as it's black’ that
is still the norm for most
cars’ cabins.
Not only do the sporty-
looking seats look grand
and feel tremendous —
they’re supportive in all
the right places with
well-judged bolstering —
but they can also heat
and cool you fast with three stages of each...”

Volvo interiors are up there with the best and the V90's soft blond Nappa leather upholstery is so much more uplifting than the endless 'any colour so long as it's black' that is still the norm for most cars' cabins. Not only do the sporty-looking seats look grand and feel tremendous — they're supportive in all the right places with well-judged bolstering — but they can also heat and cool you fast with three stages of each.

The dash is big and wide and emphasises the roomy cabin. The fascia is almost completely free from switchgear; most functions are controlled through the nine-inch portrait-format touchscreen, including the climate. Combined with straightforward ergonomics and fine visibility, the driving position — power-adjustable every which way and that includes the backrest side bolsters and extending under-knee support — makes placing the long and wide V90 accurately in traffic a cinch.

The stylishly two-tone multifunction steering wheel is as good to use as it looks and comes with a three-stage heated rim. And while the V90 relaxing 'waftability' and active chassis (with four-corner adaptive dampers and rear electronic air suspension) contribute to this Swedish wagon's über-soothing nature, it doesn't mean you can't drive a la Clarkson. Not that you'll want to because driving a Volvo means you don't have anything to prove and can travel at entirely your own pace.

With Google Maps (plus Google Assistant and Google Play) all fully integrated into the V90's infotainment system, along with hands-free voice control, real-time traffic info and automatic rerouting, navigation is justifiably best-in-class! With so many of us already living with Alexa in our homes, 'conversing' with Google in our cars is more of the same. Say, 'Hey Google' to activate Google Assistant, then simply ask for what you want: entertainment, directions, contact with friends, family and colleagues, connect to your favourite apps and devices to manage your day (for instance; easily connect to and control compatible smart home devices while in the car for peace of mind and convenience) — and all without taking your hands off the wheel.

As you'd expect, the V90's instrument panel is also digital so you can choose to display full-width mapping along with everything you need to know such as clearly posted speed limits and your road speed along with both your remaining petrol and electric ranges. While behind the wheel you can also take for granted thoughtful touches such as the system's readiness to find (and direct you to) the nearest petrol or charging stations whenever you want to top- or charge-up.

It's said that music is good for the soul so what better than to indulge in some uplifting sounds from the Harman Kardon HiFi. Other satisfying features include the foolproof twist-action engine Start/Stop knob on the central tunnel where you'll also find the electric handbrake with the must-have auto-hold feature. Also appreciated are the two-setting memory recall buttons for both front seats, keyless locking on all four doors, and the two-zone climate control with CleanZone air-quality system.

“Travelling in the rear
cabin is a serene, limo-
like experience thanks to
the lovely, individually
shaped and truly
comfortable seats (the
outers pair are, naturally,
heated), backrests
set at relaxing angles
and masses of legroom
to stretch right out.
Rear occupants also
enjoy light flooding in
through the huge
panoramic tilt-and-slide
glass sunroof (or not,
should they close the
powered sunblind).
Whether it’s extra sun
protection or just privacy
they’d like, passengers
can also raise the side
curtain blinds integrated
into the doors...”

So how safe is the V90. Truthfully, you just take Volvo's, and EuroNCAP's, word for it. Awarded a full five-star safety rating, the V90 is well specced with plenty of active safety and driver assistance systems — and it's about as good as it gets when it comes to protecting its occupants from harm. Highlights include the brilliantly effective rear auto brake that watches unerringly over your reversing; while parking in a tight bay with deceptive low level safety girders during torrential rain, it stopped the car in less than the blink of an eye when I nearly reversed back too far.

Add to that the brilliant 360-degree camera system that always shows the car's exact position and perimeters for pin-point accurate parking. Its four cameras provide multiple views that as well as the bird's eye perspective also covers your flanks with side sensors to keep you aware of adjacent objects even when you're driving.

Other essential safety kit includes bright lights with commendably fast-acting automatic main/dip beam switching for maximum night-time visibility without dazzling other road users. And working for you 24/7 is Volvo's intelligent safety technology assistance that detects and helps you avoid other vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians, and even large animals and, if necessary, will autobrake for you if you don't react in good time. Safety? It's in the V90's DNA.

Travelling in the rear cabin is a serene, limo-like experience thanks to the lovely, individually shaped and truly comfortable seats (the outers pair are, naturally, heated; three-stage, of course), backrests set at relaxing angles and masses of legroom to stretch right out. Rear occupants also enjoy generous personal space along with light flooding in through the huge panoramic tilt-and-slide glass sunroof (or not, should they close the powered sunblind). Whether it's extra sun protection or just privacy they'd like, passengers can also raise the side curtain blinds integrated into the doors.

For those needing to stay in touch and keep their devices topped up there are a couple of USB-C charging ports. Along with pop-out cupholders integrated into the wide, padded drop-down central arm rest with two trays there are also good-sized door bins, net front seatback storage pouches, and B-pillar air vents. So, rest assured, lounging is definitely on the cards for those being chauffeured in a V90 estate!

What really makes the V90 such a seductive place to glide along is the quality of its ride. Sure there's adaptive dampers and air suspension to iron out the inconsistencies of the UK's poorly surfaced blacktop but given our V90 was rolling on optional 20-inch alloys wrapped in 'sporty-ish' 255/35 Pirelli PZero rubber, it sure rode fluently. While their hearts clamour for slick looks and image-enhancing big wheels, their heads really don't want to trade off comfort and refinement. Full marks, then, to Volvo for managing to supply the look but not at the usual penalty — in fact the V90's refined in-cabin isolation from the outside world is deeply soothing and sets a high bar for its rivals. All-in-all, an addictively pleasant way to travel.

“The turbocharged four-
pot under the V90’s long
bonnet starts, stops
and does everything in
between quietly and
obediently as though its
mission statement is not
to disturb the refined
ambiance that defines
the luxuriously appointed
cabin or the people
relaxing there. And when
it’s working in tandem
with the electric motor it
does so fluently to
provide exactly the kind
of readily accessed
woomph somebody
spending Ł50K would
expect...”

After our strong praise for its ride you might get the impression this big estate car has sacrificed maybe too much to comfort to handle. Wrong. The chassis is well fettled to make good use of its adaptive dampers and air-sprung self-levelling rear suspension and if you do feel like hurrying the V90 will oblige. If you feel like selecting gears yourself, you can by nudging the shift lever sideways left and right when in 'B' mode.

Even if you don't use it to change gears the 'B' setting — just tap the selector lever back to toggle between Drive and B anytime — ramps up energy recuperation to top-up the battery on a trailing throttle. Every little helps, as they say, and it's no trouble to use — in fact it's just like being in Drive with noticeably stronger 'engine braking' delivered whenever you lift off; and it's particularly effective when driving along twisty routes where lifting off for a bend saves physically feathering the brake pedal.

From the driving mode menu you can select Power (effectively Volvo's 'Sport' setting) — Hybrid, Pure (electric-only), and AWD are your other choices — that as well as making maximum use of the petrol engine's 250bhp and 258lb ft of torque as well as the electric motor's 86bhp and 184lb ft, also 'sports up' the steering and driving dynamics. The brakes, incidentally, are first-rate too, delivering strong and even stopping without pressing hard. When it needs to be this AWD-equipped crossover estate is reassuringly composed although the more time you spend with it the more you'll love it when you just leave it to its own devices.

The turbocharged four-pot under the V90's long bonnet starts, stops and does everything in between quietly and obediently as though its mission statement is not to disturb the refined ambiance that defines the luxuriously appointed cabin or the people relaxing there. And when it's working in tandem with the electric motor it does so fluently to provide exactly the kind of readily accessed woomph somebody spending Ł50K would expect.

A fast-acting powered tailgate that opens high is a great introduction to a boot that could be home-from-home for a brace of Baskerville-sized hounds or, equally useful, a family's full staycation luggage in its 560 litres. A handy flip-up boot divider can be raised to section the boot widthways and there are sturdy bag hooks and strong tie-down eyelets for cargo security. Unlike most roller-blind luggage covers the V90's rises and retracts automatically as the tailgate rises (and closes — no hands! — when the tailgate shuts). Convenient too is that moving your foot under the rear bumper causes the tailgate to open or close.

For larger loads the 60:40-split seatbacks fold down perfectly flat to create a seamless loadbay running to pretty cavernous 1,526 litres despite the sloping rear glass. Boosting the practicality of the wide, long, and perfectly flat loadbay floor is the good side access via the rear doors. Beneath the boot floor you'll discover a customised tray for the charging leads — the only visual give-away that there's a battery pack tucked away out of sight. Thanks to the generous torque on tap this plug-in V90 estate wagon will happily pull a braked 2,100kg.

Suave and sophisticated, with bang up-to-date comms, the V90 is something we'd rate! A well-rounded 'crossover' estate offering practicality, space, and luxurious comfort, it's a genuine pleasure to waft around in — with the advantage of a permanent all-wheel drive system that's a boon not just when Jack Frost is about but equally when it's wet and windy or you need to tow a caravan, horsebox, or boat! ~ MotorBar

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