Volvo V90 Recharge T6
By Ian Strachan.
Volvo’s V90 Recharge plug-in hybrid is probably the most complete car you’re likely to drive. Not only is it a superbly comfortable, well-specified, roomy, high-performing executive express, but it also gives you low running costs and the self-satisfaction of knowing you’re helping the drive to net zero.
The V90 is powered by a silky smooth 2.0 litre petrol engine, aided by an electric motor which can give you an electric-only range of 54 miles. The combined horsepower is 350PS, but despite its grunt, the electric motor helps keep consumption low at up to 53.4 miles to the gallon and CO2 emissions down.
As well as having environmental credentials not shared by conventionally powered vehicles, this Volvo is an excellent estate car, as you’d expect from the Swedish manufacturer. It’s an attractive, solid-looking, practical car which performs faultlessly, is well-specified and pleasurable to drive.
There’s no doubt that this big car is one of the most comfortable cars I’ve driven. Long drives become all the more pleasurable when cosseted in leather luxury in this superbly comfortable car.
The latest V90 is a very nice car to look at, oozing substance and capability. Modern Volvos are a long way from the square, boxy designs of the past and the V90, while still being a premium estate car, is sleeker and more athletic-looking, with a raked windscreen and a neatly angled tailgate. An altogether more refined and up-to-date look.
I test drove the Volvo V90 Recharge plug-in hybrid in T6 Inscription spec, with all-wheel drive. This comes with a superbly smooth automatic transmission and meaty 20-inch diamond cut alloys.
The interior of this Volvo is of a very high quality, with some attractive features, as well as that ultra-comfortable leather-clad seating and a nice dash layout. Most of the vehicle’s function are controlled via a nine-inch tablet-style screen which also displays the satnav and media functions. With easy to use menus it’s intuitive and simple.
Seating is not just comfortable for driver and front seat passenger. It’s positively luxurious. The car can easily accommodate five adults, and load carrying capacity is excellent, with a large boot aperture and vast load area. The tailgate is powered for easy opening and closing and the rear seats have a 60/40 split.
Handling of the all-wheel-drive V90 is predictable and solid, giving the driver a good feel of the road. Steering is confident and responsive, with just the amount of power assistance you need.
The petrol unit, when operating, is a very pleasant engine. It pulls more than adequately throughout the range, with an 0-60 mph time of just 5.2 seconds, and is very quiet.
Equipment levels are good, with those smart alloy wheels, perforated leather upholstery and cruise control with speed limiter coming as standard, along with satellite navigation and traffic information systems, internet browsing, voice control, mobile phone charging, pedestrian and cyclist detection, twin-zone climate control, heated and cooled front seats, rear parking camera and 10-speaker sound system,. This is a Volvo so you don’t have to worry about safety. Every safety feature that can reasonably be put on this car is there including run-off road protection, front collision warning with steering assistance and automatic braking, lane departure warning and blind spot monitoring standard. If you hit anything in this car you can’t say you haven’t been warned.
Other standard features include hill-hold with automatic park brake, DAB radio with smartphone and media connectivity, Bluetooth, LED headlights with active high-beam and automatic lights and wipers.
The V90 Recharge plug-in hybrid T6 AWD InscriptionT8 Twin Engine Inscription is priced at £58,300 on the road. My test car came with extras totalling almost £10,000 including powered glass sunroof, parking camera with 360 degree surround view, active bending headlights, headlight cleaning system, heated front screen, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, a premium Bowers & Wilkins sound system, electronic air suspension, a retractable tow-bar and metallic paint..
This is a superb way to dip your toe into electric motoring without sacrificing anything in terms of comfort and performance.
