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The Volvo S90 is an executive saloon that Volvo have manufactured since 2016, with the Volvo V90 being its estate version. It's become one of the first cars in the Volvo range to be offered only as an electrified model thanks to it's plug in hybrid engine and is a fierce competitor in the saloon class.
Our Volvo S90 review will guide you through the latest model and help you to decide if it's the right choice for you and your needs.
Volvo has taken its reputation for square and slightly boxy shaped design and used it to their advantage when designing the S90 to make it stand out against its German competition. It takes much of its styling cues from the larger XC90, such as the convex grille, but shares great standard features with other cars in the Volvo range.
For the 2022 model year, the Volvo S90 was released as a plug in hybrid model only, with a petrol engine used in combination with an 11.6 kWh battery. In comparison to the previous petrol and diesel engines this is designed to give instant torque with smooth and quiet acceleration. It also works with the Volvo car app so that you can monitor average fuel consumption, battery charge levels and average use of electricity compared with traditional fuel.
It's the additional and well thought through details that really set the Volvo S90 apart from it's rivals. These include laminated side and rear windows which helps to reduce road noise, the signature "Thor's Hammer" motif that sits within the LED daytime running lights, and handsfree tailgate operation.
There are numerous high quality trims used in the interior of the Volvo S90 which gives it an overall classy cabin. This includes a choice between at least two leather options, and aluminium or wood accents, and really sets the Volvo S90 aside from rivals and allows it to compete with other luxury and sporty saloon cars.
The Volvo s90 has a portrait style 9 inch centre console that is the main focus of the dashboard. It has Google Automotive Services built into it and comes with a 4 year data plan to allow to use these and connected apps at ease.
Depending on which trim level you choose will also give you either a premium sound system by either Harmon Kardon or Bowers & Wilkes. You'll find that this vastly improves the audio experience in the S90 thanks to Dolby Pro Logic II Surround Sound and a built in subwoofer.
Visibility is generally very good, although the rear pillars are slightly thicker which obscures your view a little. This is combatted with front and rear park assist included as standard across the range, allowing you to park in even the tightest of spaces with confidence.
There are few cars that do comfort like the Volvo S90. It's got more legroom than some rivals and a great amount of head room in both the front seats and back seats.
This is matched with electric adjustment for both front seats, multidirectional lumbar support, and heated fronts seats to make sure that you can get as comfortable as possible every time you're in the car. The driver also has a great amount of adjustment available on the steering column too which means that you really can set you driving position up to perfectly align for you.
Volvo have pulled out all of the stops to make sure that you experience the highest ride quality every time you drive your S90.
You can expect 461 litres of boot space in the Volvo S90 which increases to 1328 litres with the rear seats folded. In comparison, the Mercedes E Class offers 540 litres and the Audi A7 offer 535 litres and then 1660 litres and 1390 litres respectively when their seats are folded which places the S90 as the model with the least boot space.
However, this still equates to a few suitcases and chances are that if you need much more room on a regular basis you'll be looking at some of the options from the Volvo SUV range. The Volvo S90 does have some additional options for storage such as a ski hatch between the rear seats which make it adaptable however.
The Volvo S90 Recharge comes with one great plug in hybrid engine, the T8 AWD. This is a 2.0 litre, 4 cylinder petrol engine which is supported by an 11.6kWh battery which can give you up to 54.1 miles of pure electric power according to Volvo. It's the same engine that's available on other plug in hybrid models across the Volvo range.
Combining the two together gives you a phenomenal 455HP: 310HP from the petrol engine and a further 145HP from the electric motor. For comparison, the plug in hybrid E Class offers either 333HP or 316HP combined and an electric range of 35 miles which places the Volvo S90 Recharge miles ahead of it, literally.
It's also an eight speed automatic gearbox with all wheel drive which really allows you to make use of all that horsepower and get a really smooth rid on open roads and tight corners alike. All of this with fuel economy of up to 352.6 combined mpg and CO2 emissions as low as 18 g/km.
It's one of the first models that Volvo have moved to be offered as an electrified only version, completely ditching petrol and diesel engines in favour of hybrid power.
There are two trim levels available on the Volvo S90 Recharge: Plus and Ultimate. These are the same as other models in the Volvo range so will be familiar to you if you are already a Volvo driver.
The Volvo S90 includes a lot of standard equipment that you'd expect to see on an executive saloon. This includes 18 inch diamond cut alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights with integrated daytime running lights, automatic window wipers, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control, power operated tailgate, rear view camera, dual zone climate control with a built in air filter, heated front seats, multi directional lumbar support, and leather upholstery.
Also included is a 12.3 digital driver display which highlights driving information and sat nav directions, amongst other features. This is paired with the 9 inch portrait touch screen which has integrated Google Automotive Services and enabled apps alongside 4 years of data to use with them.
The Plus trim upgrades many of these features, such as changing the alloy wheels to 19 inch cut and upgrading to adaptive cruise control. In addition you can expect a powered integrated rear window sunblind, a heated steering wheel, a 360 degree parking camera giving surround view with side proximity sensors, a powered driver's seat with memory function, heated windscreen, integrated sun curtains for the rear doors, heated rear seats, and a premium sound system by Harmon Kardon.
Upgrading to the final trim level will take you to the Ultimate and as you would expect from its name it goes all out with equipment. It has active bending headlights with adaptive shadow technology, a headlight cleaning system, 19 inch 10-spoke diamond cut alloy wheels, a power glass tilt and slide panoramic roof, power passenger seat with memory function, dark tinted rear side windows, and a premium sound system by Bowers and Wilkins. The previously optional head up display is now standard in the Ultimate trim.
The Volvo S90 has a five star safety rating from Euro NCAP which places it on par with other luxurious saloon cars currently on the market. The Mercedes E Class, Audi A7, and Kia Stinger all fall into the five star rating too which places the Volvo S90 in good company. It performs particularly well in the Adult Occupant category with a score of 95%, 2% higher than the A7 and the Stinger and the same as the E Class.
This rating comes from a really strong safety kit included in the standard equipment of the Volvo S90. This includes city safety with steering support, pedestrian and cyclist detection, front collision warning with full auto brake and rear auto brake, driver alert control, lane keep assist, vehicle deceleration control which includes ABS, EBD and emergency brake assist, and stability and traction control which includes spin control, engine drag control, and corner traction control.
Volvo's manufacturing warranty will cover your S60 for three years or until your car has driven 60,000 miles, whichever comes first, and will have any authorised Volvo retailer carry out repairs if they are deemed to have been caused by faulty materials or workmanship at manufacture.
As the Volvo S90 comes only as a plug in hybrid it does increase it's price significantly, especially when compared to entry level models of similar cars. The Plus trim starts from £63,075 and the Ultimate trim starts at £67,825.
For comparison, an entry level E Class starts from £46,030 with a diesel engine whilst the entry level plug in hybrid starts from £54,025. For almost the same price as the Volvo S90 Plus you could purchase an Audi E Tron Sportback for £64,585.
What sets the Volvo S90 apart from these is its finishes that go the extra mile such as the Orrefors Sweden crystal gear shifter or the upgrade to ventilated Nappa leather.
The Volvo S90 ticks so many boxes which makes it a good car to choose if you're looking for one in the large executive class. Thanks to its plug in hybrid engine, four wheel drive capability, high level of equipment, and high quality finishes it's a serious contender for luxurious saloon cars, making it worthy of its price tag.
It's definitely an option that you should consider for your next car!
