2020 Volvo S90

Volvo’s flagship S90 sedan strives to stand out in the midsize luxury segment. It looks completely original as a Volvo, blending high-tech and jewel-like details with conventional sedan proportions.

Up front, the throwback grille with the diagonal bar exudes a traditional look. The sheet metal is sleek and forms a classic sedan shape unfettered by indentations, fussy creases and overuse of chrome. Also, a distinctive overall shape to the entire side glass area is highly original. The rear end completes the design with taillights that bracket the trunk in a creative and modern way. 

Another bit of the S90’s originality is under the hood. The T6 and T8 plug-in hybrid variants keep the large sedan a competitive player in the premium sedan market. Both the gasoline and hybrid models use a super- and turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T6 gasoline model has an output of 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque while the T8 hybrid offers a combined power rating of 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. All-wheel drive is standard for all S90 models.

The four-cylinder engine displays a bit of thrash and vibration upon start compared with rivals, but with combined mileage figures of 26 mpg and 30 mpg for the T6 and T8 respectively, they are are fairly efficient at what they do. As for real-world performance, the 316-horsepower T6 powertrain accelerates with real authority, and pulls hard from very low engine speeds. The standard AWD provides better feedback through the steering wheel than with front-drive, giving the driver better communication with the car and the road itself. 

Smooth and responsive, S90 is relaxing to drive. It’s not as overt of a sports sedan compared with some of the German competition, but it is proficient on curves and shines on straight roads. There are four driving modes selectable by the driver: the smooth-focused Comfort, the mileage-oriented Eco, the sporty Dynamic and a customizable Individual mode that lets the driver to pre-select steering, throttle and transmission how they want it. The car defaults to Comfort on start-up. 

The S90’s interior is a real winner on the relaxation front with class-leading seat comfort and support. The S90’s front seats are a paragon of automotive seating virtue, at once enormously comfortable, yet highly supportive. The side bolsters are more limber unlike most sport-oriented seats. 

Meanwhile, in the back seat, it’s every bit as good, rarely the case in midsize sedans. An additional 4 inches of extra length in the wheelbase added for the 2019 model year left a large increase in rear legroom. The back seat gives a generous feeling of side-to-side space width as well. 

As for on-board technology, the S90 offers features like a 12.3-inch main Sensus infotainment system that operates like an iPad and is surrounded by matte finish wood. It’s a clever blending of new tech with old-world craftsmanship. The Sensus infotainment system has been updated, but is still not as intuitive as some others. 

Volvo has long pioneered automotive safety, and the S90 is no exception. It earned a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and top ratings for all elements of crashworthiness. Every S90 also comes with Volvo’s City Safe suite of advanced driver-assistance safety technology that includes automatic emergency braking, forward collision alerts, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control. 

With outstanding scores for design, safety, interior comfort and all-around automotive wellness, the S90 is a creative and rewarding alternative to the mainstays of the luxury middle class.