The next best thing to a brand-new Volvo has to be a pre-owned one, with the XC90 SUV proving the perfect choice according to the judges of the What Car? Used Car of the Year awards. Today, the model was crowned the Best Used Luxury SUV, while the T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid version took the honour as the Best Used Hybrid.
XC90 practicality, quality and value for money
The judges were enthusiastic in their praise for the Volvo XC90. Mark Pearson, Used Car Editor, said: “A long-time What Car? favourite, the XC90 scoops up our Used Luxury SUV Award, thanks not only to its outstanding practicality and top-notch interior quality, but also to its excellent value for money when bought used. Very few seven-seat cars can offer this level of comfort, space and security in such a stylish and well-equipped package.”
T8 Twin Engine’s impressive abilities
As Best Used Hybrid, the XC90 T8 Twin Engine performance and quality were the standout factors. As the judges remarked: “It’s the XC90 T8’s breadth of abilities that really impressed us. It’s a classy and spacious SUV that’s great value for money when bought used, and it can run for up to 25 miles on electric power alone.
“It’s a real performer, too, being the quickest model in the range, with a nought to 62 mph time of just 5.6 seconds. And unlike other hybrid SUVs, you don’t lose the third row of seats, making it a supremely practical seven-seater, too.”
An ideal choice
The XC90’s qualities that make it such an appealing new car purchase are equally attractive in the used car market. Cool, Scandinavian design is combined with practicality to deliver a functional, user-friendly and comfortable seven-seat interior, finished with high-quality natural materials. And, in common with current Volvo models, on-board connectivity and multimedia provisions are simple and seamless, thanks to the Sensus nine-inch touchscreen system.
The powertrain choice includes petrol, diesel mild hybrid and the acclaimed T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid system, the latter offering the greatest power – 390hp – yet also the highest efficiency, with CO2 emissions from 52g/km.
A pathfinder for Volvo’s brand transformation
Matt Galvin, Volvo Car UK Sales Director, said: “The XC90 was the first model we launched in our complete product renewal programme and it exemplifies everything we want to achieve in terms of making cars that excel in every dimension – from styling, quality and practicality, to ground-breaking use of technology for safer driving and performance. We’re proud to have received these awards which show that the qualities we’ve designed into the XC90 make just as great a proposition as pre-owned vehicle.”
The best way to buy
The best way to purchase a pre-owned Volvo is through our Volvo Selekt approved used cars. All our Selekt cars are prepared to rigorous Volvo standards, including software upgrades to ensure optimum performance. Each car older than five years is sold with a six-moth Volvo Selekt warranty (extendable to 12 months), together with cover for its next MoT test and 12 months’ Volvo roadside assistance.