Volvo V90 review - MPG, CO2 and Running Costs
Cleaner of the four-cylinder diesel models is among the most efficient offerings in the class
Volvo offers the V90 with a choice of four-cylinder diesel engines and the more modest of the pair, badged D4, is a bit of a star performer on economy and CO2 emissions. Even when paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, it emits just 119g/km of CO2; that puts the V90 into a cleaner Benefit in Kind band than the BMW 520d Touring, and matches Audi’s cleanest .
The more potent D5 isn’t quite so economical, and its extra shove drags CO2 emissions up to 129g/km; that’s still cleaner than the 525d Touring, though, as well as the six-cylinder 530d Touring.
The V90 D4 gets a 55-litre tank, which gives a theoretical range of 760 miles on the official combined fuel economy figure of 62.8mpg. In the real world, you should be able to achieve north of 600 miles between fills, especially if your route includes some empty motorways.
The D5 model has poorer official economy, at 57.6mpg, but it gets a slightly larger fuel tank (60 litres) so its theoretical range remains the same as the D4’s. Adding four-wheel drive, in the case of the V90 Cross Country, reduces the D4's official figure to 54.3mpg and the D5 to 53.3mpg. There's also a T6 Cross Country, but that only manages 36.7mpg.
Insurance groups
The V90’s insurance groups basically fall into two categories, depending on whether you’re dealing with the D4 or the more potent D5. The more efficient D4 unit falls into group 27E in Momentum trim, rising to 28E if you choose the better-equipped Inscription.
Move up to the more potent D5 powertrain and the groups jump to 33E (Momentum) and 34E (Inscription), but even these are pretty competitive within the class. BMW’s 5 Series Touring, for example, falls into group 34 in 520d SE spec, and that jumps to group 36 for 520d M Sport.
The overall view, therefore, is that the V90 is extremely competitive on insurance costs.
Depreciation
There’s no data on the V90’s residual values just yet; however, given that there’s likely to be strong demand from long-time Volvo estate buyers, we’d expect depreciation to be in the same ballpark as the car’s rivals from BMW and Audi.
Which Is Best
Cheapest
- Name2.0 T4 Momentum Plus 5dr Geartronic
- Gearbox typeSemi-auto
- Price£38,650
Most Economical
- Name2.0 T8 [390] Hybrid R DESIGN Plus 5dr AWD Gtron
- Gearbox typeSemi-auto
- Price£59,000
Fastest
- Name2.0 T8 [390] Hybrid R DESIGN Plus 5dr AWD Gtron
- Gearbox typeSemi-auto
- Price£59,000