At just over 200 inches long, the Volvo S90 falls neatly between the midsize premium sedans like the Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-class and their full-size sisters, the A8L and S-Class. Judging from the S90’s long, low and wide look, it’d be easy to assume Volvo is targeting the big barges, but this handsome sedan is actually priced a little below the midsize Germans. 

The Volvo S90’s stretched wheelbase and long, low and wide proportions make it look like a competitor to full-size luxo barges. While it offers many of their amenities and lots of room, it’s actually cheaper than most of their midsize siblings. Volvo

When the S90 replaced the Swedish brand’s long-running flagship S80 in 2017, it brought a whole new design aesthetic to Volvo’s cars, building on the visual themes of 2015’s redesigned XC90 SUV. The two vehicles share the same “Scalable Product Architecture” platform, but where the XC90 is bold and upright, the S90 is subtle and sleek. This sedan is also the basis for the pretty and functional V90 wagon.

All U.S. model S90s got a 4.7-inch wheelbase stretch in 2018 and added a plug-in hybrid model a year later. 2021 brings only mild style updates, though even Volvo enthusiasts will be hard pressed to spot them from 20 feet away, and some extra equipment.

That long wheelbase is characteristic of the entire S90 experience. This is a comfort-focused car and the added length over its competitors translates to best-in-class rear legroom, and even more rear-seat legroom than some larger vehicles, such as the Genesis G90. But the S90 is a relaxed driving experience, less like a sports sedan than the A6 or 5 Series.

Plush, cossetting surroundings are the order of the day in the S90, and even the base model can be ordered in four-different color combinations of leather or leatherette upholstery. Volvo

The S90 lineup has narrowed since 2017, and it now comes in only two configurations, the base T6 models and the PHEV T8 Recharge, which we review separately. 

The T6 models are all powered by the same turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. All wheel drive (AWD) is standard and power is transmitted via a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. The differences between each model are equipment related or cosmetic.

The base-model S90 T6 Momentum starts at $52,595 including a $1,045 destination fee, and there’s not much that’s “basic” about it. Every S90 comes with a 12.3-inch digital driver display, a 9-inch portrait-style infotainment screen and Volvo’s extensive IntelliSafe suite of active-safety gear. Momentums come by default with leather interiors in four different hues with birch wood inlays on the dashboard, a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, power front seats, navigation and 18-inch alloy wheels.

If the back seat looks far away, that’s because it is. Created for Chinese customers who like to be driven, the long wheelbase S90 and its 40 inches of rear-seat legroom came to the U.S. in 2018 and quickly supplanted the original regular-wheelbase model. Volvo

Above the Momentum are the R-Design and Inscription, both priced at $55,695 and the distinctions between them being cosmetic. R-Design models add more aggressive styling and different color choices as well as racy-looking 19- or 20-inch wheels, but come only with a black interior with milled metal inlays instead of wood. Inscription models offer Nappa leather, Walnut trim, 4-zone climate control and their own 19- and 20-inch wheel designs.

The S90 isn’t an inexpensive car, but consider that all of the European alternatives start at around the same price as the Inscription and true full-size machines cost $20,000 more. Even most versions of Genesis’ G80 cost more. Lexus’ ES is far less expensive and similarly roomy inside, but it definitely doesn’t feel as special.

On the R-Design and Inscription, but not on the Momentum, there are four selectable driving modes selectable by the driver: the smooth-focused Comfort, the mileage-oriented Eco, the sporty Dynamic and a customizable Individual mode. Most drivers will leave it in the default comfort mode, as there’s not much to be gained by Dynamic and Eco tones down the car’s responses a little too much.

The S90 T6 is not a slow car. 60 mph will arrive in less than six seconds, but it’s whisper quiet. The Volvo won’t carve corners the way a 5 Series or A6 would, but after a few hours of twisty mountain roads on the way to the ski resort, it won’t tire you out either. While it isn’t very sporty in feel, it isn’t wallowy or lethargic either. It’s composed and cossetting. Volvo fans looking for more speed, however, might want to try out the 400-system-horsepower T8 Recharge.

 The S90’s styling is understated but distinctive and unmistakable for anything else. Considering how few are on the road, that’s a nice extra if you want to stand out from the crowd. Volvo

Eco mode boosts gas mileage a little, but the S90’s size and 4,400-pound heft mean only so-so fuel mileage. At 25 mpg combined it’s roughly even with the A6 and most versions of the E-Class, but behind the 5 Series and well shy of the Lexus, which offers a hybrid with class-leading fuel economy.

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. For the long-legged, the rear seat is enormous compared to most of this car’s price rivals, although it doesn’t have any more head room than they do. 

Many hours of road trip can be consumed by the S90 without anybody getting uncomfortable. The 13.5 cubic-foot trunk isn’t as big as the interior, however. That’s much smaller than the Lexus’ 16.7 but only just shy of the A6 and 5 Series.

 Though the S90 is a physically larger car than most of its competitors, that extra size is mostly devoted to the passenger cabin. The trunk has 13.5 cubic-feet of cargo space, which is a little below average for such a large vehicle. Volvo

Passengers are treated to plenty of style, too, and Volvo has left no interior detail or material to chance. It looks and feels like one of those bigger luxury cars it undercuts on price. Like some of them, massaging seats and heated and ventilated rear seats are offered as part of a $1,300 option package.

Drivers are greeted by a 12.3-inch configurable instrument display that also highlights navigation routes. It’s easy to use and read, and so is the central 9-inch touchscreen. Volvo’s Google-based infotainment system can be slow to load and sometime laggy to react, but isn’t hard to learn. We wish that some controls, like the seat heaters, were on a physical switches, however, instead of routed through the screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard and a wireless charging pad and rear USB-C ports are added for 2021.

As you’d expect from a Volvo, the S90 brings a strong safety game. It gets a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS and an enormous suite of standard active safety features. They include adaptive cruise control with lane keep assist (which works quite well), blind spot monitoring, forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic intersection braking, run-off-road mitigation, traffic sign recognition and many more.