Me and My Car: Paulien Tilstra (35) - “I fell in love instantly”

It is often said: “Give me your bag and I will tell you who you are.” You can easily apply that theory to the phenomenon of cars. Because the choice of brand, model, electric or hybrid, color... it says so much about the owner. This week Paulien Tilstra, who is much happier with her fully electric Volvo EX90 than with any designer bag.

“It is indeed a real car, the EX90 from Volvo. Of all the cars I have had in my life, this is truly the most mature car. In the email I received from Volvo after I bought it, it also said: ‘Dear Mr. Tilstra.’ As if they couldn't imagine that a young woman would buy this car. They immediately apologized for that, but I found it very funny and was extra proud.”

“Last September, I was on a press trip (Paulien is a content creator and can be followed on @paulientilstra) with Volvo to California, and there were all EX90s in the most beautiful colors that we could drive for a whole weekend. When I stepped into an EX90 in the color Sand Dune with a light interior, I fell in love instantly.’

“Volvo really stands for safety, they do so much research to make the safest car. The three-point seatbelt is not for nothing their invention. If I drive too close to a car in front and my car thinks I don't realize it, my seatbelt already tightens. That gives me a very safe feeling. Also, Volvo is the only car brand that tests with female dummies and child dummies. Of all the cars I have had in my life, I am the happiest with this one.”

“I can't think of anything I miss. This car is also very woman-friendly, I think. With the EX90, you have an open compartment under the center console where you can easily put your bag so that you have everything at hand. That is also safe, because it is not in view on the passenger seat and does not have to be on the floor if someone is sitting next to you. Also very nice about the EX90 is that it is a 7-seater. I can make the trunk very large, super handy when I go to my two horses, and if one of my children has a party, I can transport a lot of kids.”

“I try to wash it every two weeks. Because of the color (I of course went for that color Sand Dune with the light interior) I thought I would have to wash it every week, but that is not the case at all. Dirt doesn't show up that much. I do my best to keep it very neat and that works reasonably well. I drive quite a lot, so there is sometimes a bottle or a coffee cup lying around, but I keep it somewhat in check by regularly emptying it and occasionally wiping it down.”

“I find a car very important, because driving is so much nicer and more fun in this EX90. It also has very good, nice speakers from Boss, and it is fully electric. Initially, I was hesitant about the range, would it keep up with my driving schedule? But I can drive 500 kilometers on a full battery. Moreover, it charges super fast, it all goes much easier than I expected. I don't have a charging station at home, but I charge it at fast charging stations. In 10 minutes it can gain 100 kilometers, and when I go to the city, I plug it into a normal charging station and charge it up. I then take a parking spot at Van der Valk and work in the car for a bit and then it is full again. Even now that it is a bit colder outside, I don't notice that the battery drains faster.”

“When I bought my car, I was invited by Volvo for a day to get extra information about the car. They told me about the adaptive cruise control: it brakes when your predecessor reduces speed, adjusts itself, and stays within the lines. I just have to hold the steering wheel, but otherwise this car does almost everything!”

“When I walk by, the headlights turn on and give me a kind of wink of recognition. What is also nice is that the tailgate can open by moving your foot under the car. So if you arrive with a full shopping bag, you don't have to search for your key. It also has the soft close function, so if my children don't close the door properly, it locks itself. It also has a large panoramic roof which makes it feel very light and spacious.”

“I don't care much for designer bags, but I am a gadget girl and love a good phone and a car with lots of extras. Daily comfort, luxury, and safety are worth a lot to me and driving is really a treat now.”