Living with the Volvo V90
Review by Jacob Lerklint
The Volvo V90 has been with us since its debut at the Geneva motor show in 2016.
Almost five years later, for model year 2021 Volvo decided to facelift it, but is that enough to save the full size Volvo station wagon?
You see, V90 sales has dropped massively in the last two years. In January this year Volvo sold just over 1000 V90’s compared to over 17000 XC40’s. So what’s new for 2021? Well you get slightly different bumpers, more chrome, new LED taillights and a new Recharge alternative, and that’s the one we are driving. The T6 Recharge PHEV is a somewhat cheaper and slower alternative to the top of the line T8 model. 30,000SEK difference and you lose about 60hp.
You can’t really feel the horsepower loss from the T8, you still get 340hp and 590Nm but it never feels quick. Kickdown takes forever and when it finally gets going you do notice the massive 2200kg weight. The engine and hybrid system is still the same as the T8 but with a detune. Battery size remains the same, 11.6kwh and 88hp. With the battery fully charged you can expect a 30-50km range. As said in our previous tests, that range doesn’t impress in today’s PHEV world. During the week our average fuel consumption was around 8.3l/100km, not great.
When we tested the XC90 a few weeks ago we noticed how much you could hear the 4 cylinder engine from the cabin, but this V90 with technically the same engine made even louder noises, especially in town at lower speeds. At higher speeds it didn’t feel as noisy. Driving quickly in tight corners it handled pretty good, it’s no sportscar but for a full size wagon the handling dynamics is decent. A common issue with Volvo’s PHEV cars has been the brake feel, and this V90 is no different. Apparently the tried to better it with this 2021 model but I had trouble getting comfortable with it. Of course all that is subjective.
Ergonomically is where the V90 excels; you got plenty of space for everyone and the seats are most likely the best in the business. Most of what you touch feels expensive and well engineered. Rear legroom is great and you can comfortable sit three in the back. Luggage space is not a problem either with a 488 liters capacity. The V90 T6 Recharge base price is 564k SEK but it’s easy to go way beyond that. Our press car was specified up to an astonishing 760k SEK. Most of the stuff you don’t need. 4.95 meters, that’s how long the V90 is. Yes you do get a 360 degree camera but it’s not the easiest car to fit in tight parking spots.
I do like the V90, it’s one of the better looking family cars and it performs brilliantly in many ways such as interior quality, comfort and practicality. However I feel like the drivetrain lets it down, the engine configuration is too complicated and doesn’t perform as well as it would have had if it was fully electric. Today Recharge models stands for 23% of Volvo sales and is increasing everyday. Hopefully Volvo will introduce an all EV version the V90, but will people buy it? I think so, not all of us want an SUV.
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