Short test: Volvo V90 D5 Inscription AWD A
It's true that the V90 competes in its class as well or mostly against the big German trio, but Volvo has never been, and in the end didn't want to be, the same as Audi, BMW or Mercedes. Not in terms of quality, vehicle safety and motorization, but in terms of the impression the car leaves. It's just that we humans are unintentionally very sensitive to appearance. Often the eyes see differently than the head understands, and as a result the brain judges, even though they don't actually have a real reason to do so. The most beautiful example is the automotive world. When you arrive somewhere, maybe for a meeting, a business lunch or just for coffee, in a German car, at least in Slovenia they look at you from the side. If it's a BMW brand, so much the better. Let's face it, there's nothing wrong with these cars. On the contrary, they are great, and in their right mind you can’t blame them for anything. Well, we are Slovenes! We love to judge, even if we don't have the right reason for it. So some cars or car brands have acquired, albeit unjustifiably, a bad reputation. On the other hand, there are car brands that are rare in Slovenia, but Slovenians again have different opinions and prejudices about them. The Jaguar is prestigious and fabulously expensive, although in reality it is not at all like that or is at the level of competitors in another class. Volvo… Volvo in Slovenia is driven by smart people, probably those who care about their family as they sit in one of the safest cars in the world. This is what most Slovenians think… Are they wrong?
When it comes to safety, definitely not. Volvo has always been known as a safe car, and with new models they are trying to maintain that reputation. Hot water can no longer be invented, but it is at its best when it comes to autonomous driving, communication between cars, and pedestrian safety. It was with the 90 series that they offered semi-automatic driving to the general public, since the car can actually move independently on the motorway and at the same time pay attention to the speed, direction or line of movement and other road users. For safety reasons, automatic driving is limited to a very short time, but it will definitely benefit the tired driver and possibly save him from the worst in an emergency. Maybe because we are far from completely trusting the steering wheel of a car or its computer. This will require a lot of knowledge, a redesigned and streamlined infrastructure and, ultimately, smarter cars.
So while we are still writing about cars created by human hands. Volvo V90 is one of them. And it makes you feel above average. Of course, the shape and equipment is a matter of taste, but the test V90 impressed both the exterior and the interior. White suits her (although we seem to be a little fed up with it), and the bright interior, marked by leather and real Scandinavian wood, cannot leave indifferent even the most demanding buyer or connoisseur of cars. Of course, it is necessary to be honest and admit that the good feeling in the car was ensured by excellent standard equipment and generous accessories, which in many ways contributed to the fact that the test car costs more than the base car. such an engine for as much as 27.000 euros.
So could the V90 be the perfect car? For the unassuming and uninitiated, of course, yes. For an experienced driver who has traveled countless kilometers in similar vehicles, Volvo has one big drawback or at least a question mark.
In particular, Volvo has decided to install only four-cylinder engines in its cars. This means there are no longer big six-cylinder engines, but they do offer a lot of torque, especially when it comes to diesel engines. The Swedes claim that their four-cylinder engines are fully matched by rival six-cylinder engines. Also thanks to the added PowerPulse technology, which eliminates turbocharger stalls at lower engine speeds. As a result, the PowerPulse only works when starting off and accelerating at lower speeds.
But the habit is an iron shirt, and it is difficult to remove it. If we ignore the sound of the six-cylinder engine, if we ignore the huge torque, and if we take into account the fact that the test Volvo V90 had an engine under the hood that offered 235 “horses”, we could even afford to be convinced of this. . . At least in terms of driving. The engine is nimble enough, with torque, power and PowerPulse technology delivering above average acceleration. The final speed is also considerable, although many competitors offer a higher one. But in all honesty, this is something that is forbidden to the driver, with the exception of Germany.
The only thing left is fuel consumption. The three-liter six-cylinder engine is less annoying at the same revs, but runs at lower revs. As a result, fuel consumption is lower, although one would expect otherwise. So it was with the test V90, when the average consumption was 10,2 liters per 100 km, and the standard one was 6,2. But in defense of the car, we can write that the average is also high due to the pleasure of the driver. Regardless of the four-cylinder engine, there is enough power even for above-average fast driving. And since every other component in this car is above average, it's clear that this is also the final score.
The Volvo V90 is a good car that many can dream of. Someone accustomed to such cars will stumble upon his engine. But the essence of Volvo is completely different, the essence is that its owner is different and he is like that in the eyes of observers.
text: Sebastian Plevnyak
photo: Sasha Kapetanovich
V90 D5 AWD A Lettering (2017)
Basic data
| Base model price: | 62.387 € |
|---|---|
| Test model cost: | 89.152 € |
Costs (per year)
Technical information
| engine: | : 4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - turbodiesel - displacement 1.969 cm3 - maximum power 137 kW (235 hp) at 4.000 rpm - maximum torque 480 Nm at 1.750-2.250 rpm. |
|---|---|
| Energy transfer: | the engine drives all four wheels - 8-speed automatic transmission - tires 255/40 R 19 V (Michelin Pilot Alpin). |
| Capacity: | top speed 230 km/h - 0-100 km/h acceleration 7,0 s - average combined fuel consumption (ECE) 4,9 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 129 g/km. |
| Mass: | empty vehicle 1.783 kg - permissible gross weight 2.400 kg. |
| External dimensions: | length 4.236 mm - width 1.895 mm - height 1.475 mm - wheelbase 2.941 mm - trunk 560 l - fuel tank 60 l. |
Our measurements
| T = -1 ° C / p = 1.028 mbar / rel. vl. = 43% / odometer status: 3.538 km | |
| Acceleration 0-100km: | 8,3s |
|---|---|
| 402m from the city: | 15,9 years ( 145 km / h) |
| test consumption: | 10,2 l / 100km |
| Fuel consumption according to the standard scheme: | 6,2 l / 100km |
| Braking distance at 100 km / h: | 40,6m |
| AM table: | 40m |
| Noise at 90 km / h in 6rd gear | 58dB |
evaluation
Clearly, the Volvo V90 is a different car. Different enough that we can't compare it to the rest of the premium cars. For the same reason, its price at first glance may seem overpriced. By
on the other hand, it gives the wearer a different idea of himself, a different reaction from observers or people around him. The latter, however, is sometimes priceless.
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feeling inside
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