Fleet World Fleet: Volvo V90 Cross Country B5 AWD Plus
The latest installment on our Volvo long-termer. By John Challen.
P11d: £51,660 (37% BiK) MPG/CO2: 41.5-44.8mpg / 165-179g/km Test mpg: 41.2mpg
Report 4:
Visibility around the A-pillar is proving an issue
The Volvo continues to do its duties admirably as events take me all over the country. I know EVs are firmly the future, but cars such as the V90 are proof that the ICE game is still strong for those people not willing to jump on the battery bandwagon just yet. Comfort, smoothness and an abundance of space are just three of the big plus points in this car, but there are many more.
At the risk of hypocrisy – as someone who rails against those who complain about range anxiety in EVs when they only do very short journeys – there is something very satisfying about filling up a car with fuel and it showing a possible 900+ miles. Obviously, I would never need all of them in one go, but it looks very impressive.
However, one of the ‘features’ I’m less fond of is the visibility – around the A-pillar, specifically. For a brand that has built its reputation on safety and a commitment to protecting its passengers, the combination of a thick pillar and huge wing mirror creates a big old blind spot. It’s more noticeable these days because of the lower seating position compared with the plethora of SUVs on the market, but I often find myself stretching to look over the top of the mirror when edging out at junctions. The irony is that the aforementioned mirror contains the blind spot warning light, but the unit as a whole creates its own blind spot!
That design issue is the only real bone of contention about this car because pretty much everything else is impressive. Meanwhile, the fuel economy average, thanks largely to those longer runs, has been dragged up and I’ve regularly seen trips of close to 60mpg.
The Volvo is proving to be refined, comfortable and frugal
Report 3:
A return to pre-pandemic levels of events means that the V90 Cross Country has, quite literally, been across country a few times recently. As you might imagine, it is a fine motorway companion – refined, comfortable and frugal, with the diesel engine regularly contributing to fuel economy returns of 56mpg+.
What it also offers is physical buttons for driver controls – items that seem to be diminishing as new models continue to appear on the market. Having spent time in some cars that have hardly any, it’s always nice to get back in the big Swedish estate and know where everything is and make adjustments without having to go either a) shout at the car or b) go through various menus on a big central screen.
Talking of screens, the screenwash reservoir finally ran dry (or, the warning note appeared in front of me), having worked overtime in some pretty grotty conditions on the road. I had a slight bit of trouble trying to locate the bonnet release – resorting to actually checking the manual – as it discreetly blends into the fabric on the footwell. Instead of user error, I’m claiming that as a design win!
Finally, with the youngest Challen almost out of booster seats, the built-in ones in the rear of the Volvo were a welcome discovery. Not exactly a major fleet requirement, but an illustration of the attention to detail – and quality – that goes into this car.
Report 2:
I’m getting used to running an internal combustion engined vehicle again now, but certain aspects of shifting back from an EV have been an eye-opener. I should add that the change into diesel power has ben made easier with the V90 Cross Country, which is a very capable and willing companion on the road.
Cabin noise has increased (compared with the previous BMW iX3), not that the Volvo’s diesel engine is overly intrusive, but you can hear it! Another thing on the increase is trips to the fuel station. I appreciate that charging at home is not a luxury everyone that drives an EV has, but the convenience of not actually having to travel to ‘refuel’ is something I’ve really missed over the past couple of months.
Economy-wise, those fuel station visits have been more regular than I’d anticipated. My typical regular vehicle use also shows up how much an EV – or a PHEV – better suits me. With three Challen Jnrs that require ferrying in various directions, the V90 has been subjected to plenty of short journeys, which don’t bring out the best in the trip economy meter. However, some longer runs using dual carriageways and motorways at relatively sedate speeds has changed that.
Actually, I found it relatively easy to beat the stated combined MPG maximum figure of 44.8mpg, which is often no mean feat. Above 50mpg has been witnessed on the odd occasion, but it’s mainly very high 40s, which I’m comfortable with. Especially when I think of all the much lower figures recorded on the school run or dropping the eldest to work a couple of miles away.
Our new V90 Cross Country comes with a raft of safety and infotainment tech on board as standard
Report 1:
For the first time in nearly a year I’m running a combustion-engined vehicle – and it feels a bit strange. It seems crazy to say that, but such is the pace of change in the industry and how used people can get used to EVs. The shift to diesel has also meant I’ve had to visit fuel stations again, which hit home how much prices have gone up!
The new arrival is another wagon for the Fleet World fleet – a Volvo V90 Cross Country, no less. We’ve been impressed with numerous Swedish models of late, in terms of their quality interiors, the way they drive and the level of kit onboard. The new arrival is no exception to that affection, with a raft of safety and infotainment tech on board as standard.
Our car comes with tinted windows, a spare wheel and jack and metallic paint, but that’s pretty much all you’d need as all other essentials can be found onboard. For example, every V90 gets goodies such as the 9-inch portrait centre console, which is very clear and works almost seamlessly with Google Maps.
There’s also Google’s Automotive Services Suite, however that is where the only chink in the V90 CC’s armour has been found. When using voice control to phone Mrs Challen, a simple “Call Kara” commend means the system not only searches Google, instead of my phonebook, but also assumes it’s the (I guess) more common Cara. It takes a bit of effort to get right, in which time I could’ve used the on-screen menu!
John Challen
John previously edited International Fleet World magazine, and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role, having been in automotive journalism for more than 20 years. Over those two decades, he has researched and written about a vast range of automotive topics, including fleet, EVs, engineering, design, retail and the aftermarket.
