SCANDI-COOL OLD SCHOOL

V90 gives the trad family car a sleek exec design twist – and is now £8k

- ALEX WOLSTENHOLME

Think of a large family estate car. You're picturing a Volvo, aren't you? Although the XC90 is the Volvo de choix for big families these days, the more traditional V90 estate still holds massive appeal, having only recently bowed out of production after nearly a decade. And not just because it's one of the prettiest wagons around.

The second car to use Volvo's then newfangled SPA platform, it arrived as a long, low and sculptural model like no Volvo estate before it - and its strong Scandi-chic design still looks clean and fresh today.

The by-product of its added kerb appeal is that it is not quite as utilitarian and practical as its breeze-block forebears - the sloping rear screen precludes the fitment of a third row of seats, for example - but the boot is still a competitive 560 litres, even in the PHEV, and four occupants have plenty of space (although a fifth makes it tighter).