Volvo V90 B5 2020 UK review

Luxurious Swedish estate is given a mild makeover and its petrol engine mild hybridisation As fans of the British Touring Car Championship in the mid1990s will attest, Volvo has a proud tradition of producing practical, spacious and surprisingly stylish estate cars.But times have changed since the 850 used to battle for tin-top glory, and the firm’s current success is built on its range of SUVs. For the future, Volvo is firmly focused on electrification through its Recharge range of plug-in hybrid and electric powertrains.All of which is to say that the firm’s V90 – a large estate for which sales have traditionally been dominated by diesel engines – might feel somewhat outdated, a reminder of past glories that doesn’t quite fit in 2020. But thankfully, Volvo still believes there’s plenty of life left in a classic loadlugger, which it has demonstrated by giving the V90 a mid-life refresh.Given the current V90 – launched in 2016 using the same adaptable SPA architecture as the S90 saloon and XC90 SUV – was already a credible alternative to German rivals such as the BMW 5 Series Touring, Volvo has been understandably sparing with its makeover.Visual tweaks include a lower front bumper and foglights, a revamped rear spoiler and a new LED tail-light design. They’re minor changes, but they add to the V90’s understated, classy style.