Volvo V90 B5 2020 UK first drive

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 Volvo V90 – a large estate for which sales have traditionally been dominated by diesel engines – might feel somewhat outdated, a reminder of past glories that doesn’t quite fit in 2020.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 Volvo S90 saloon and Volvo 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.

The V90’s interior was already comfortable and capacious, with plenty of Scandi style and a well-laid out dashboard built around Volvo’s Sensus infotainment, which uses a portrait-oriented 9.0in touchscreen. As a result, the updates here are also sparing, largely through the addition of new upholstery and trim options.

There are also USB-C ports, an upgraded Bowers & Wilkins stereo (including a setting that Volvo claims mimics the sound of your favourite jazz club) and – bang on trend for 2020 – a revamped Advanced Air Cleaner with particle filter.

Most importantly for many estate buyers, the V90’s boot remains unchanged, offering a substantial 560 litres capacity, rising to 1526 litres when the seats are folded down. That space is easily accessible, too.

The biggest change has been made to the powertrain line-up, with the petrol-engined T4, T5 and T6 models replaced by the mild-hybrid petrol B4, B5 and B6. The diesel engines are now also mild-hybrid and badged the B4 and B5, while the petrol-electric plug-in hybrid T6 Recharge remains. The updates will also be made to the rugged high-riding V90 Cross Country, which will get mild-hybrid petrol engines for the first time.