Volvo S90 Review
The Volvo S90 proves you can have a fantastic executive saloon that’s not made in Germany. The big Swede is a safe and relaxing alternative to the Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series and Audi A6.
This score is awarded by our team of expert reviewers after extensive testing of the car
What's good
- Advanced safety features
- Powerful engines
- Quiet on the move
What's not so good
- Boot capacity lags behind best
- No standard Apple CarPlay or Android Auto
- Not that exciting to drive
Volvo S90 Review
The Volvo S90 proves you can have a fantastic executive saloon that’s not made in Germany. The big Swede is a safe and relaxing alternative to the Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series and Audi A6.
This score is awarded by our team of expert reviewers after extensive testing of the car
What's good
- Advanced safety features
- Powerful engines
- Quiet on the move
What's not so good
- Boot capacity lags behind best
- No standard Apple CarPlay or Android Auto
- Not that exciting to drive
Volvo S90: what would you like to read next?
Review contents
Overall verdict
Watch our Volvo S90 video review
It is immediately obvious that Volvo S90 offers something different when you open the driver’s door and take a peek inside. There’s nothing overtly sporty about the S90’s high-quality finish and armchair-like seats. Instead, Volvo has focused on offering huge levels of comfort – something the old S80 (the S90’s predecessor) did rather well.
Faced with a long motorway journey, few cars are better prepared than the S90 – its seats are hugely comfortable, its ride composed at speed and noise suppression is very good, although just short of Mercedes E-Class levels. The S90 steers and stops with confidence, but the BMW 5 Series and Jaguar XF are still the driver’s choice. If you want a sportier drive, R-Design is the trim to go for. It adds sports suspension and gives the S90 more athletic looks. The Cross Country only comes as a V90 estate but gets raised suspension and four-wheel drive to help it cope with the rigours of an active lifestyle or rural living.
The engine range is extremely straightforward: buyers get a choice of a 190hp D4 and 232hp D5 diesels, along with the clever petrol-electric hybrid fitted to the 390hp T8. Whichever of those models you choose, official fuel economy shouldn’t drop significantly below 60mpg. All come with eight-speed automatic gearboxes and four-wheel drive is an option too.
The S90's automatic braking system is the first capable of detecting even large animals
In keeping with nearly every Volvo that’s ever left the factory, the S90 is super safe. It pioneers a new automatic braking system that can detect large animals (deer, dinosaurs and the like) on the road. That’ll join a huge list of features seen elsewhere in the firm’s range, including an autonomous driving system that works up to speeds of 80mph.
Volvo’s return to the large-executive class will be a welcome one to anyone looking to buy outside the default options of BMW, Audi and Mercedes. Volvo has stuck to its roots by building a car that will devour huge mileages with ease and although it may not be at its best on twisting country roads, it promises to be altogether more accomplished than its predecessor. It will, we are sure, be as safe as the proverbial houses, but what is likely to excite buyers more is the luxurious interior that oozes quality.
If that sounds like your cup of Filmjölk (it’s a Swedish thing) then head over to our Volvo S90 deals pages for the very best prices.
What's it like inside?
Watch our Volvo S90 interior and infotainment review
The Volvo S90’s interior looks fantastic and feels just as posh as many German alternatives, but the infotainment system misses out on some key standard features
How practical is it?
Watch our Volvo S90 practicality review
There’s plenty of space in the S90’s back seats for two tall adults, but carrying three adults in the back is a bit of a squeeze and alternatives have bigger boots
The Volvo’s front seats are so comfortable, you might find it hard to stop yourself nodding off on long journeys – no wonder the S90 comes with so much safety kit as standard…
What's it like to drive?
Watch our Volvo S90 360 degree video review
The Volvo S90 is very comfortable, impressively quiet and super relaxing to drive, but you can’t get it with any smooth six-cylinder engines…
The S90 comes packed with loads of safety kit, including Volvo’s Pilot Assist feature that’ll let it pretty much drive itself – on motorways at least
What's it like inside?
Watch our Volvo S90 interior and infotainment review
The Volvo S90’s interior looks fantastic and feels just as posh as many German alternatives, but the infotainment system misses out on some key standard features
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