This week, we’ve been out testing the all-new Volvo S90 and V90 on the roads of Surrey. You can read our UK first drive of the S90 saloon next week, although Tim has already driven the V90 estate. Check out his review here.
A bit of background: the S90 and V90 are the latest cars to utilise Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), and follow the XC90, which remains our favourite seven-seat premium SUV. In the UK, the V90 estate is likely to be the biggest seller, not least because the Volvo estate is ingrained in middle-class culture.
Having stopped to take photographs on the beautifully manicured lawns of Coworth Park, we came to the conclusion that the Volvo V90, preferably in lavish Inscription trim, is probably the best looking estate car you can buy new. A bold claim, we grant you, but we were prepared to spark some debate on Twitter.
#Volvo V90 Inscription: is there a better looking wagon on sale new in the UK? pic.twitter.com/RyJELPO4vE
— Gavin Big-Surname (@MajorGav) September 8, 2016
As you’d expect, not everyone agreed with our snap conclusion. Take a look at some of the nominations:
From Simon Harris:
@MajorGav #justsayin pic.twitter.com/AZQYrjMY3A
— Simon Harris (@IAmSimonHarris) September 8, 2016
From Iain Dooley:
@majorgav @graeme_lambert @iamsimonharris @skodauk_media I feel obliged to leave this here. pic.twitter.com/R4R6Vvh72G
— Iain Dooley (@iainpdooley) September 8, 2016
From Simon Harris (again):
@Graeme_Lambert @MajorGav I’d also throw this in there. pic.twitter.com/esYcHs14j4
— Simon Harris (@IAmSimonHarris) September 8, 2016
From Richard:
@MajorGav Quite partial to a Mazda 6 but that does look well.
— (((Richard))) (@rich1068) September 8, 2016
From Hugo Brailsford:
@MajorGav XFR-S is mighty tasty … pic.twitter.com/oFK3jZnP84
— Hugo Brailsford (@HugoBrailsford) September 8, 2016
The Jaguar XFR-S Sportbrake is a very good shout, but as it’s no longer available to buy new, it doesn’t meet the criteria of our original tweet. If we were to open the floor to wagons of old, the V90 would face some fierce competition. Did anybody mention the Lynx Eventer? Or the Alfa 159 Sportwagon?
Yep, that’s a debate for another day.
But as it’s Friday, we thought we’d throw this open to everyone? Is the Volvo V90 Inscription the best looking wagon on sale today? You decide.
Oh, and much as we’d like to accept Skoda PR Graeme Lambert’s nomination for the Skoda Superb, we feel he might be a tad biased. Sorry, Graeme, just saying…
@IAmSimonHarris @MajorGav I’m glad Simon said that. #justsaying pic.twitter.com/PSCAI0NaVW
— Graeme Lambert (@Graeme_Lambert) September 8, 2016