Scandi-style

Want a premium business estate but not the predictable Audi, BMW or Mercedes? Darren Cassey checks out the Volvo V90

The V90 is Volvo’s alternative to the likes of the BMW 5 Series Touring and Audi A6 Avant. It’s a premium business estate that tries to add a touch of character to a typically quite dull segment.

It achieves this by offering a classy-looking exterior backed up by a high-quality interior that’s very Scandinavian in its minimalist appearance.

There’s substance behind the styling though, with a range of economical engines and excellent safety technology.

This is the first V90 to wear Volvo’s new family face, with the now-familiar Thor’s Hammer headlights transforming the front end.

It also comes with Volvo’s extensive suite of safety technologies known as Intellisafe. The City Safety There are various petrol and diesel engine options, each offering varying power outputs and economy statistics from a 2.0-litre engine. There’s also a petrol plug-in hybrid version called the T8 Twin Engine.

While the V90 as an overall package is a mighty appealing prospect, the driving experience is definitely the weak link. Over long distances it’s a comfortable cruiser, but when driving around town it’s largely let down by the gearbox and power delivery as it all comes in big surges making smooth progress difficult. Even

The V90 has a simple elegance to its design. Volvo is wellknown for building boxy estate models, but the latest version adds a more modern, stylish take to the practicality they have become known for.

The Volvo feels just as expensive as its Germans rivals, but adds a touch of Scandinavian style to the mix. Volvo interiors work best with lighter colours, while the elegant buttons and dials give a sense of well-thoughtout ergonomics. Boot space is somewhat impinged on by the sloping roofline, but it’s not often you’ll be cursing the lack of a few extra litres as there’s nearly 2,000 available with the rear seats down.