After a false alarm in February, it's now official: the Volvo V90 is retiring, with no direct successor. The future from Gothenburg smells of SUVs, the electric ES90 and – ironically – the return of the XC70 name, which is no longer a station wagon, but an SUV.
If you grew up with brick station wagons and roof boxes, then developed a taste for them as an adult Volvo V90, we have news that cuts like a cold Scandinavian wind: it's over. But The Swedes didn't give up on practicality - they just took it to the next level.
What actually happened?
Volvo confirmed: Volvo V90 production ends in September and this time without a direct successor. The factory itself framed such a shift as part of a “global cyclical plan” that favors crossovers and SUVsWhen asked about the fate of station wagons at the unveiling of the ES90, Rowan gave a straightforward answer: "Yeah, because I think it's changed, right? SUVs have changed with ride height." The V60 remains for now, but a refresh or new generation is not guaranteed.
Why did SUVs win (and station wagons lose)?
Customers, statistics and marketing are a triangle that is difficult to overcome. Last year they SUVs reach record 54% market share in Europe, leaving wagons in the dust. Global growth in CO₂ emissions is also increasingly being driven by larger and heavier cars – yes, SUVs again.
But “safer” doesn't always mean safer for everyone. Experts warn that high nose and greater mass They increase the risks for pedestrians and in collisions with lighter vehicles; safety therefore depends on the type of accident, not just the body shape. Euro NCAP and IIHS have said this without embellishment in their recent reports. What will please wagon lovers: it's not all about seat height.
A brief obituary: the numbers that made the V90 an icon
V90 Recharge (T6/T8) in his final years he rode with increased battery 18.8 kWh, official WLTP electric range 74–87 km, top speed 180 km/h (112 mph) due to Volvo's universal limiter, and acceleration 0–100 km/h since 4.8 seconds (T8) or 5.5 seconds (T6). The total power at T8 reaches 455 hp (335 kW), and the caravan sense remained Swiss-precise.
Electric replacement with “tailgate”: ES90
ES90 is not just an electric sedan – it is five-door liftback (read: more practical than a classic sedan), with 800‑V architecture and 350 kW filling, which adds up to 300 km in 10 minutes. Range up to 700 km (WLTP) means that Volvo hasn't forgotten how to do long distances. If you're looking for a "station wagon with soul", the ES90 imitates it quite well with its trunk function and 40:20:40 split bench - without the roof antenna it's almost a hipster station wagon.
Return of the name, not the shape: XC70
Volvo pulled another one from the archives name XC70 – nostalgics, hold on to your seats: no longer an “all-road” station wagon, but an SUV. According to the Chinese cycle CLTC can do more than 200 km electric driving, DC 0–80 % in ~23 min, pre-orders are going first in China, followed by Europe. If this long-range PHEV has struck a nerve with European families, it may be the “new way to caravan” – from above.
What (still) remains in Volvo's showcase?
V60 It lives on – at least “for the foreseeable future” – and will cover the niche of those who don’t want to wear heels. S90 has experienced this year second renovation and remains in China and selected Asian markets, while in most of Europe and the USA it is replaced by the aforementioned ES90In the UK, Volvo even brought the estate back into the range last year after pressure from customers – and then turned the tables again on electrics and SUVs. Sweden is standing still, and the direction is clearly tilted upwards – literally.
Competition from Germany is holding back
While the Swedes are cleaning up the long roofs, BMW 5 Series, Audi A6 Avant and Mercedes‑Benz E‑Class Estate remain firmly established in Europe. The caravan market is no longer mainstream, but it is still religious lodge – and with it a good deal for those who stay. (The SUV share data also confirms that the battle for volume is being fought elsewhere.)
Conclusion: Volvo V90
If you are looking for someone to blame for the death V90, it doesn't have to be far: SUVs gave buyers a higher entry, easier loading and a view over the hedge, while station wagons were stuck in the statistics. But there will always be a group of people who appreciate a lower center of gravity, lower fuel consumption and an aristocratic long roof – and they will now look to V60, the German trio or the electric ES90, which is perhaps the most “wagon-like” non-wagon at the moment. Irony? XC70 returns as SUV with a big one CLTC reach and fast charging – which means Volvo still takes practicality seriously, but the form has gone to Pilates.
To sum up my feelings: V90 will lack heart and reason. Heart because of the line that made luggage sexy. Reason because it offered 0–100 km/h in 4.8 seconds, 180 km/h top speeds and an electric “buffer” for daily errands – all in one, well-dressed package. One step ahead ES90 brings technology (800V, 350 kW, 700 km WLTP), XC70 but a compromise for those who are not yet ready for full EV. So Volvo's story of safety and functionality is not over – just rewritten in a higher font. The next logical step: a comparative test of "electric liftback vs. lifted PHEV" and where the latest European station wagon lands in between.
