The Volvo S90 is a premium saloon which oozes Scandi style, but how does it stack up against cars like the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

PROS:

+ Beautiful design inside and out

+ Comfortable and quiet on the road

+ Impressive safety tech

CONS:

- Less sporty to drive than rivals

- Not the biggest boot in the class

- Only available as expensive plug-in hybrid

Verdict: Volvo’s executive saloon is a lovely, calming environment in which to chew up big distances, and it’s packed with tech, but if it’s sporty driving you’re after then rivals from BMW and Jaguar will give you more.

2021 Volvo S90 review: the five minute read

We avoid cliches like the plague so this Volvo S90 review will be an Ikea joke-free zone, but it can’t be ignored that Volvo’s premium big saloon is dripping in Scandi style and is, arguably, the best looking car in its class.

How it differs from Sweden’s famous flatpack export, however, is its price: since 2020 the S90 has only been available as a plug-in hybrid in the UK which means it starts at £56,275. Rivals like the BMW 5 Series, Jaguar XF and Mercedes-Benz E-Class have much broader engine ranges and therefore you can own one for a lot less. A LOT less.

Volvo’s Russian doll approach to models means the S90 is identical to the S60 in all ways but its size, and it comes with the same ‘Thor’s hammer’ signature LEDs and clean and understated lines, plus a fuss-free rear with the Volvo name embossed above the boot handle. The two trim levels - R-Design and Inscription – both get fetching diamond cut 19-inch alloy wheels.

Volvo’s interiors are excellent, with robust build quality and plenty use of high end materials like Nappa leather. Again, it’s the same as the interior found in other models, but it’s classy and comfortable.

The centrepiece is Volvo’s 9-inch portrait style infotainment screen, which looks beautiful and is very responsive. However, almost all controls and functions live inside the system – the only physical buttons are for the volume control and a home screen button. This means making on-to-go commands or adjustments can be fiddly and distracting. BMW has executed the balance between touchscreen and physical buttons much better.

Quibbles with the infotainment system are more than compensated for by the S90’s practicality: it’s extremely spacious in both the front and the back of the cabin. The only fault is the large central floor tunnel which could be annoying for whoever is sitting in the middle back seat. Even so, legroom and headroom is generous, and the S90’s 461-litre boot is perfectly adequate.

Only one engine is available. Called the T8, it marries a 299bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine with an 87bhp electric motor. On pure electric the S90 can do a little over 30-miles, and the strong combined power output means it will box off 0-62mph in just 5.1-seconds.

That’s fast for a big saloon, but even so the S90 isn’t a particularly exciting car to drive, and certainly doesn’t offer the same thrills as a six-cylinder 5 Series. The immediate shove is impressive, but the suspension is set up to iron out the bumps and lumps in the road rather than attack corners like racing driver. The whole driving experience is very calm, serene and comfortable. It’s a lovely way to while away the miles.

The electric range was closer to 20-miles when we drove the S90, but then we were enjoying the fast acceleration.

If you want your executive saloon to double as a thrill machine then don’t be fooled by the S90’s rapid 0-62mph time, once the sprint is over it’s all rather gentle and relaxed. Of course a comfortable wafter is exactly what many buyers in this segment want, and when you consider the generous amounts of safety tech the S90 comes with, such as automatic braking, and the fact its electric range is enough to cover the average UK commute, then the S90’s price tag doesn’t seem so steep.

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Extended read…

2021 Volvo S90 interior and infotainment

The S90’s interior befits the car’s £57K price tag, with no expense spared when it comes to premium materials. You’ll need to be a fan of understated Scandi design, with very few physical buttons or dials, but it all looks great. Textured metal effect materials on things like the volume control offset the piano-black panels nicely, and even the wood-effect trim on the dashboard is classy.

It’s all very well built too, you won’t worry about kids taking the cabin apart.

All models get two-zone climate control which has a pollen filter, and even powered rear window sun blinds come as standard, which is a premium touch.

There is an over-reliance on the 9-inch Google-developed infotainment system though: apart from some media controls on the steering wheel and the volume control knob every function is hosted within the touchscreen, including things like activating and deactivating safety systems like lane keep assist. This can become a distraction while driving.

The screen itself is lovely, with pin-sharp graphics, but you’ll need to get used to swiping and scrolling because it works like a tablet and only has one physical shortcut button, which returns you to the home screen.

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2021 Volvo S90 practicality and boot space

The S90’s 461-lite boot is not the biggest in the class – it’s beaten by the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Jaguar XF. Even so, you’ll find it comfortably has enough room for a big shop or a short family trip away.

The rear seats fold down in a 60:40 split at the press of a button, which is very handy indeed. In the back the door bins are large, and all models come with a fold down central armrest with cup holders.

Storage in the front is generous, even if the glovebox is not the biggest in the class. Again, the door bins are huge and there’s plenty of useful space for things like keys, phone and wallet in the centre console. The console has a retractable cover which keeps things looking clean and tidy.

The only real gripe is the large central floor tunnel which can get in the way for someone sitting in the centre rear seat, but legroom is so generous on either side that it shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Headroom isn’t a problem either, with plenty of space for even tall passengers.

2021 Volvo S90 engine

Where once the S90 came in various flavours it’s now only available as a plug-in hybrid. This will limit its appeal to many, especially those who want a large premium saloon but don’t have a huge budget. Both a Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5 Series start at around £17,000 less.

Still, the S90 T8 PHEV engine is both powerful and smooth. It marries a 299bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine with a 87bhp electric motor. On pure electric the S90 can do a little over 30-miles, and the strong combined power output means it will box off 0-62mph in just 5.1-seconds.

To make the most of the reduced running costs offered by a PHEV you’ll need to top the battery up each night, which should take no more than six hours on a home charger. Thanks to an official CO2 emissions figure of 44g/km the S90 should offer low company car tax, which is an important consideration on an executive saloon.

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2021 Volvo S90 driving

Despite the impressive 0-62mph time the Volvo S90 isn’t as engaging to drive as bigger engined BMW 5 Series models or the Jaguar XF, but it is a very capable and composed car. That’s helped in no small way by the fact it is all-wheel drive, and the damping has been set up to smooth out imperfections in the road surface, which it does brilliantly. Of course, getting the power down is exciting, but don’t expect it to be a ninja in the corners.

At high speeds the S90 is very planted and road noise is kept out of the cabin effectively, other than a bit of a rumble from the 19-inch wheels. It goes without saying that things are just as peaceful at lower speeds around town, thanks to the electric motor. Expect the electric range to be more like 25-miles in the real world, but that’s still more than enough for the average UK commute.

The only real grumble concerns the 8-speed automatic gearbox, which can dither on the kickdown. A bit more urgency to drop a cog before high speed overtakes would be welcomed.

Overall, the S90 is a supremely comfortable and relaxing car which cocoons the driver from the outside world and is happiest munching up the motorway miles.

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