Skip advert
Advertisement
Best cars & vans

Volvo XC90 - Best diesels

Volvo XC90 long term - front/side

The Volvo XC90 SUV was named Auto Express Car of the Year in 2015, and our 2016 Large SUV of the Year.

That’s largely thanks to the XC90’s trailblazing combination of technology, efficiency and safety. The big Volvo is also a refreshing antidote to all the German brands that are so effective in the SUV sector, thanks to the ‘lighter touch’ of its Scandinavian design.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The CX90 boasts family-friendly practicality, while its array of technology includes energy-absorbing seats, City Safety auto-braking, Queue Assist and a self-parking mode.

There are punchy petrol and eco-focused hybrid versions of the XC90 available (incidentally all using ‘downsized’ 2.0-litre four cylinder engines) but as we’re talking diesels for this feature, we’re here to sing the praises of the entry-level XC90 D5. It gets a 22bhp twin-turbo 2.0-litre four, which offers reasonable performance and efficiency, while sounding impressively refined and cultured in spite of its small-ish capacity. It will also return 49.6mpg, which isn’t at all bad for a full size SUV.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best large SUVs to buy 2025
Best large SUVs - header image

Best large SUVs to buy 2025

Large SUVs are big on comfort, practicality and versatility. Here’s our pick of the best on sale now
Best cars & vans
11 Apr 2025
Volvo XC90 review
Volvo XC90 - front

Volvo XC90 review

Swedish Volvo XC90 SUV is still a strong contender after nine years on sale
In-depth reviews
8 Apr 2025
New vs used family SUVs: Hyundai Tucson or Volvo XC90?
New Hyundai Tucson vs used Volvo XC90 - header

New vs used family SUVs: Hyundai Tucson or Volvo XC90?

Family SUVs are massively popular, but which one is the very best buy?
Car group tests
25 Mar 2025
Best cars for over £20,000
Best used cars for over £20,000 - header image

Best cars for over £20,000

Got a budget of more than £20,000 to spend on a new car? You may want to check out these excellent used buys first
Best cars & vans
12 Mar 2025

Most Popular

Chinese cars can’t match their European rivals when it comes to engineering
Opinion - Shanghai Auto Show

Chinese cars can’t match their European rivals when it comes to engineering

This new brand of cars might have battery tech on their side, but European buyers want much more than that
Opinion
25 Apr 2025
New electric car MoT tests could be coming to the UK
Tesla Model X on two-post inspection ramp

New electric car MoT tests could be coming to the UK

New technology and driver assistance systems require changes to annual testing, says EC
News
25 Apr 2025
Buying a modern used car for under £10k is almost impossible
Opinion - £10k used cars

Buying a modern used car for under £10k is almost impossible

Phil McNamara discovers that it’s harder than ever to find a good-value car at the affordable end of the market
Opinion
24 Apr 2025