Used Volvo S90 and V90 review buying guide

I see more Volvo V90’s on the road than Range Rovers’, so is now a good time to buy into the 4×4?

Maybe there is a reason why the Volvo estate has become such an icon: decades ago, while its rivals were focusing exclusively on saloons, this Swedish car maker was making far more practical family models.

First released in 2016, the V90 got a range of petrol, diesel and hybrid units. The entry-level 187bhp 2.0-litre diesel, badged D4 and starting from £16,000 on the used market, can just about cope with the 1761kg minimum kerb weight of this large estate car. The 232bhp 2.0-litre diesel (D5) does so more competently, though. The same can be said for the capabilities of the 2.0-litre petrols, the 187bhp T4 and 247bhp T5.

The 385bhp T8 often goes for upwards of £30,000 and could be considered a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It’s a petrol-electric plug-in hybrid that’s extremely quick to accelerate, as is evident in its 4.8sec 0-60mph time. The hybrid set-up also shuffles between power sources effortlessly.

For 2020, Volvo brought in mild-hybrid technology featuring a 48V integrated starter-generator. These units begin with a ‘B’ to distinguish them from the regular ‘D’ and ‘T’ engines. For instance, there’s a 197bhp petrol called B4P, as well as a 197bhp diesel dubbed B4D. The most powerful engine with the mild-hybrid tech is the 300bhp B6P. All come with 2.0-litre petrol or diesel units.

Trims have also been revised: for 2022, the range has become Core, Plus and Ultimate, although few of these cars had hit the used market at the time of writing.

Alternatives

It’s always been the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class that have given Volvo’s executive cars the hardest time, and it’s easy to see why. All offer wide model ranges with some excellent engines, gearboxes, saloon and estate bodystyles, plus excellent build quality. While they used to be relatively spartan, things changed a long time ago and they’re all now comprehensively equipped, although all three are available with lots of extra-cost options.